Communicating with Light
Authors: Jim Overhiser and Luat Vuong
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Abstract: This series of six station activities introduces the physics of transmitting "voice" information using electromagnetic signals or light. Students explore how light can be modulated to encode voice information using a simple version of Bell's original photophone. They observe the decrease of the intensity of open-air signals by increasing the distance between source and receiver, and learn the advantage of using materials with different indices of refraction to manipulate and guide light signals. Students are introduced to the concept of bandwidth by using two different wavelengths of light to send two signals at the same time. Finally, students explore
