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Evanescent Coupling Interferometer

Construct a frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) apparatus capable of modulating light transmission through a sub-wavelength gap between two high-index prisms. You must quantitatively measure the exponential decay of the evanescent field as a function of gap distance using a precise mechanical micrometer setup. The challenge is to maintain alignment stability while detecting the transition from tunneling to classical refraction.
Materials: Two glass prisms or high-quality glass blocks, a 650nm laser diode, a precision micrometer stage, a photodiode sensor, and a multimeter.
Deadline: September 28, 2026
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