Captive Polarizing Filter Frame and Case

Small kit of filters to play with lasers, polarized light, photoelasticity, and diffraction gratings.

The filter frame holds a captive 80x80mm bare polarizing filter, which makes it easier to handle without smudging or scratching it. The filter is taped onto the print midway through using a preprogrammed pause at the right layer, and when the print resumes it builds over the filter by a few mm, trapping it in place.

The box holds 2 of these filters + 2 diffraction gratings, and has slots to position the filters for some common experiments involving polarized light and lasers. The photos show using 2 filters to view stresses in clear plastic, demonstrating the polarization of a red laser pointer, using the same optically active plastic to pass a laser through 2 opposing polarizing filters, and showing how a diffraction grating splits different wavelengths of light at different angles. You can use the last behavior to measure the wavelength of your laser pointers!

The lid slides on snugly with a .2mm clearance to the rest of the box to keep everything protected.

The filters cost about $12 for everything, I bought the 80mm polarizing filters and diffraction gratings from ebay, and they're usually easy to find elsewhere.

Fusion 360 (.f3d) and step files are included alongside the STLs for ease of modification.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Prusa

Printer:

Rafts:

No

Supports:

Resolution:

0.2

Infill:

Filament:
Generic PLA White

Category: Physics & Astronomy