Frequency Stabilizing a HeNe Laser: A Joint Senior Design Project

Operation Stalactite was a senior project to design and build a frequency stabilized helium-neon laser. The project objectives, approach, and teaching techniques are reviewed. Insights into student interactions and efforts to focus an undergraduate education will be given. Stalactite required the students to organize, plan, propose, and execute research plan in accordance with a schedule and budget. Reactions, educational benefits, and results of a post-project survey will be given.