Most experimental write-ups include the following sections. These can also be adapted if your submission is a write-up of how to build something laser-related.

Experiment Title

Introduction: Introduce the reasoning and ideas behind your experiment. What prior work done by which researchers is your experiment an extension of? If you are repeating an experiment seen elsewhere give details of the prior attempts at this experiment and what the outcomes were. Explain the concepts that need to be understood in order to grasp the ideas in your experiment. Why are you doing this experiment – what is interesting or novel about it?

Background: Give definitions of the more difficult to understand terms used in your experiment. Explain the more difficult theoretical ideas that your experiment is based on so that others may follow what is happening.

Materials: List ALL of the materials required to carry out the experiment. It is also a good idea to include suggestions for alternative materials if some components that you are using are specialized and difficult to find. If you know where to source the more difficult to find components include this information as well.

Safety: Laser safety considerations and information are a vital part of your experimental write-up! If your experiment necessitates the use of ClassIIIb (>5mW) or higher powered lasers describe the safety precautions that need to be taken while executing the experiment.

Procedure: In this section give a detailed explanation of the steps in your experiment. A clear step-by-step format is a good idea. Images, diagrams and/or videos are a wonderful addition to this section as they allow others who would like to duplicate your experiment to easily see the steps they need to take.

Observations: If you have suggestions as to what someone duplicating your experiment should observe, list them in this section. If you think a particular method of observation (ex. making a list or chart) is useful for your experiment describe this method.

Explanation: What is the explanation behind the results that should be obtained in your experiment? How does the information you supplied in the introduction and background sections apply to the results that should be obtained.

Conclusion: Summarize in a few sentences the main conclusions that should be drawn from your experiment.

If you have any questions or would like more tips and pointers as to how to complete your experimental write-up please let us know at service@novalasers.com.

Happy Experimenting!

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