When it comes to teaching optics, quality apparatus makes all the difference. At PASCO, we specialize in producing reliable optics apparatus that puts student learning at the center of every experiment.
Our expandable optics system provides everything you need to perform high-quality investigations in any physics lab. Introduce students to the fundamentals of optics with our comprehensive Basic Optics System; then build on the basics with a variety of optics accessories that support detailed studies of color, interference and diffraction, polarization, and more.
Basic Optics System
The PASCO Basic Optics System is a comprehensive optics set that supports more than a dozen hands-on investigations right out of the box. A staple of university physics labs around the world, the Basic Optics System includes a suite of core optics equipment, as well as more advanced accessories that facilitate student studies of both ray optics and geometric optics concepts.
Basic Optics System includes:
- Optics Track, 1.2 m
- Basic Optics Light Source
- Accessory Lens Set
- Adjustable Lens Holder
- Ray Optics Kit
- Basic Optics Viewing Screen
- Basic Optics Ray Table
- Concave/Convex Mirror
- Basic Optics Geometric Lens Set
- Foam-lined storage case
- 12+ student investigations with teacher tips and sample data
4-in-1 Basic Optics Light Source
The Basic Optics Light Source is a multi-functional light source that serves numerous applications in the lab.
- Acts as a point light source
- Includes 1, 3, or 5 parallel rays
- Produces red, green, and blue light
- Has a lighted crossed-arrow target with metric scale for focusing images
Lab-Ready Optics Investigations
The Basic Optics System is supported by more than a dozen laboratory investigations that cover everything from reflection and dispersion to shadows and virtual images. Every investigation comes lab-ready with helpful teaching tips and sample data that can be used to verify student results, or to supplement data analysis activities outside of the lab.
Basic Optics System Investigations include:
- Color Addition
- Prism
- Reflection
- Snell’s Law
- Total Internal Reflection
- Convex and Concave Lenses
- Hollow Lens
- Lensemaker’s Equation
- Apparent Depth
- Reversibility
- Dispersion
- Focal Length and Magnification of a Thin Lens
- Focal Length and Magnification of a Concave Mirror
- Virtual Images
- Telescope
- Microscope
- Shadows
Perform Dozens of Experiments with this One Optics Track!
The Basic Optics System is based on our durable Optics Track, 1.2 m, which easily expands to support student studies of diffraction, atomic spectra, polarization, and more.
Designed for ease of use, the 1.2-meter optics bench has a variety of student-friendly features, including a built-in metric measuring tape that allows measurements to be made directly from the track.
Product Details
Produce Spectacular Demonstrations of Additive Color
Pair the Optics Track with our tricolor Color Mixer for dazzling demonstrations of additive color mixing.
Add the Color Mixer Accessory Kit to explore additional activities that include topics such as absorption and transmission, subtractive color mixing, and additive color mixing.
Product Details
Investigate Vision with a Working Model of the Human Eye
Mount the Human Eye Model to an Optics Track using an Eye Model Bracket to study the optics of vision in high detail.
- Adjust the realistic retina, pupil, or crystalline lens; then observe how the image responds.
- Compare images produced from normal vision, far-sightedness, near-sightedness, and astigmatism.
- Apply lenses to correct various vision problems.
Easily Recreate Textbook Diffraction Patterns
with this All-in-One Wireless System
Featuring an easy-turn hand crank and effortlessly smooth scans, the Wireless Diffraction System provides physics courses with an all-in-one solution for performing studies of interference and diffraction. The sensor-based Diffraction Scanner includes a highly responsive light sensor that enables crystal clear diffraction patterns to be produced every time. Set up is quick and easy, allowing students to create highly detailed diffraction graphs in a matter of minutes.
View many orders of diffraction with every scan.
Easily detect fine details, such as the three minor maxima produced from scanning five slits.
Create textbook-worthy graphs of Intensity vs. Position for single-slit and double-slit experiments.
Wireless Diffraction System
Requires an Optics Track (1.2 m) or a PASCO Dynamics Track.
- Wireless Diffraction Scanner
- Diffraction Slits
- Red Diode Laser
- Dynamics Track Optics Carriages
Wireless Diffraction System with Track
Track included.
- Wireless Diffraction Scanner
- Diffraction Slits
- Red Diode Laser
- Optics Track (1.2 m)
One-and-Done Alignment
After the system is aligned once, it will stay that way until the components are removed. A specialized wheel is used to rotate through the diffraction slits, enabling students to make multiple scans in the dark, while maintaining the system’s alignment.
Verify Malus’ Law of Polarization
with the Polarization Analyzer
Expand your Basic Optics System with the Polarization Analyzer to support student studies of Malus’ Law of Polarization. Designed for use with PASCO Optics Tracks, the Polarization Analyzer uses a Rotary Motion Sensor to measure the angle between two polarizing disks and a High-Sensitivity Light Sensor to measure the intensity of the light that passes through the disks. As students conduct the experiment, a live plot of light intensity vs. angle is generated in PASCO Capstone™ software, making it easy for students to observe the effect of various position changes in real time.
Polarization Analyzer
Requires a PASCO Optics Track (included with the Basic Optics System), Light Sensor, and Rotary Motion Sensor.
- Polarizer Disks
- Polarizer Holder
- Aperture Bracket
- Accessory Holder with Mounting Bracket
- Accessory Holder for Aperture Bracket
- Retarder Disk
Polarization Experiment
Requires a 550 Universal Interface, 850 Universal Interface, or SPARKlink Air.
- Polarizer Disks
- Polarizer Holder
- Aperture Bracket
- Accessory Holder with Mounting Bracket
- Accessory Holder for Aperture Bracket
- Retarder Disk
- Optics Bench (60 cm)
- Red Diode Laser
- PASPORT High Sensitivity Light Sensor
- PASPORT Rotary Motion Sensor
Real-Time Data, Built-in Calculations
After collecting data in PASCO Capstone™, students can analyze the graph of light intensity vs. angle, apply calculations, and compare the relative light intensity to the angle, the cosine of the angle, and the cosine-squared of the angle.
Quantify Atomic Spectra
with this Open Spectrophotometer System
Designed specifically for student studies, the Educational Spectrophotometer System mounts to the Optics Track (1.2 m) to give students unparalleled insight into the inner workings of a spectrophotometer. It features an open design for 360° observation and enables highly detailed measurements that rival those of more expensive systems. With the Educational Spectrophotometer System, students can explore both atomic spectra and basic optics concepts, such as the relationship between angle, wavelength, and intensity.
Educational Spectrophotometer Accessory Kit
Requires a PASCO Optics Track (1.2 m or 60 cm), PASCO aperture bracket, spectral sources, a spectral power supply, light sensor, and rotary motion sensor.
- Spectrophotometer Table
- Rotating Arm
- Collimating Slits and Lens
- Focusing Lens
- Diffraction Grating and Holder
- 2x Track Rod Clamp
Atomic Spectra Experiment
Requires a 550 Universal Interface, 850 Universal Interface, or SPARKlink Air.
- Educational Spectrophotometer Accessory Kit
- Optics Bench (60 cm)
- Aperture Bracket
- PASPORT High Sensitivity Light Sensor
- PASPORT Rotary Motion Sensor
- Spectral Tube Power Supply and Mount
- Hydrogen Spectral Tube
- Helium Spectral Tube
- Mercury Spectral Tube
- Round Base with Rod
Make Highly Detailed Measurements
The Educational Spectrophotometer System provides such detailed measurements that even the Balmer series of the hydrogen atom emission spectrum can be detected with ease.
Students can also detect the Mercury emission doublet at 577 and 579 nm, analyze the transmission characteristics of filters, or study the absorption spectrum of a chemical solution.
Create Blackbody Curves of Intensity vs. Wavelength
with this Complete PASCO Experiment
The Blackbody Radiation Experiment is a complete solution for demonstrating the blackbody spectrum of light intensity vs. wavelength for a lightbulb. Designed for use with the 850 Universal Interface, this complete experiment allows students to create the classic blackbody spectrum (light intensity versus wavelength) and observe how the peak wavelength shifts in response to various bulb temperatures.
Prism Spectrophotometry Kit
Requires the PASCO Educational Spectrophotometer System (OS-8450).
- Spectrophotometer Table
- Rotating Arm
- Collimating Slits and Lens
- Focusing Lens
- Diffraction Grating and Holder
- 2x Track Rod Clamp
Atomic Spectra Experiment
Requires an 850 Universal Interface or 550 Universal Interface.
- Educational Spectrophotometer Accessory Kit
- Prism Spectrophotometer Kit - Black Body Experiment
- Optics Bench (60 cm)
- Aperture Bracket
- PASPORT Broad Spectrum Light Sensor
- PASPORT Rotary Motion Sensor
- Voltage Sensor (unshrouded)
- 10x Replacement Light Bulbs
- 5x Banana Plug Cord - Black
- PASCO Capstone™ file with prepared plots, calculations, and procedural instructions.
Safely Explore the Classic Blackbody Spectrum
The Blackbody system is optimized to make student experiments safe and effective, with features such as a durable, all-metal design and a built-in grounding peg that ensures the system stays grounded during experiments.
Additional Resources
If you have additional questions regarding our equipment or software, contact PASCO Technical Support. We're here to help.