Introductory Optical System (Optical Bench)

Affordable optical bench for image formation lab activities

Bring optics to life without the bulky bench or fragile lamps. Arbor Scientific’s Introductory Optical System is a simple, elegant setup for teaching basic optics experiments—students slide sturdy acrylic components onto any standard meter stick (not included) and start exploring image formation, focal length, and magnification right away.

A bright, self-contained LED “F” object makes sharp images even with classroom lights on, while the double-sided translucent screen lets groups view results from both sides. Students can easily make the common measurements of image and focal distance with the included lenses, pinhole configurations, and 2-sided screen. Together, these features make it an affordable alternative to traditional optical benches that still supports clear, quantitative introductory optics investigations.

Why Teachers Love the Introductory Optical System (Optical Bench)

• No cords, no breakable lamps: Battery-powered LED light source is bright enough for full-light classrooms, so setup is fast and maintenance is low.
• Meter-stick optical bench simplicity: Acrylic holders have ruler cutouts that rest securely on a meter stick, giving students a familiar, accurate measurement scale without extra hardware.
• Compact, classroom-tough design: Robust acrylic parts and standard 50 mm lenses pack small, store easily, and stand up to repeated student use.

Note: Meter stick is required but not included.