Desarrollo de prototipos para mejorar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de temas en el campo de la Física. Prototipo básico funcional para la introducción a la astronomía de ondas gravitacionales: prototipo básico funcional para la introducción a la astronomía de ondas gravitacionales.

Abstract

The aim of this project was designing and building a prototype Michelson interferometer to simulate gravitational waves. The designed prototype is a portable and low-cost interferometer, whose operation is controlled through a graphical interface implemented in LabVIEW and whose structure was 3D printed with PLA plastic. Commercial optical components were used to reflect, transmit and focus the beams of light. A light sensor was placed at the output of the interferometer so that it is possible to record changes in intensity. The mechanism for varying the distance of one of the interferometer arms was implemented using a digital potentiometer connected to a speaker with a mirror attached to its diaphragm. The alignment of one of the mirrors was accomplished with the design of an adjustable bracket using magnets and screws. However, it was determined that this bracket may present unwanted movements and noise. The contrast of the present design was calculated with a value of 0.30. Test signals were generated using linear and sinusoidal functions sent to the potentiometer, it was determined that the potentiometer presents a non-linear response, which prevents the generation of a representative signal from which to extract data for analysis and theoretical comparison. The manufacturing cost of the prototype is estimated at $ 71.27 retail and $ 59.44 wholesale. A user's manual was developed for the prototype as well as a laboratory practice guide that aims to qualitatively introduce the student to the detection of gravitational waves.