Update:
Mr. Joe Lowry has nearly completed the construction of the diode laser driver with temperature control.  This device is based on the design of Prof. David van Baak of the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Calvin College (MI) who conducted National Science Foundation-sponsored workshops to help folks implement diode laser experiments (Thank you, Prof. van Baak!).  In addition, Joe has constructed a nifty solenoid to produce a magnetic field!

Diode laser driver with temperature control "Almighty Controller Bob"	0.5 m long solenoid for producing a magnetic field

Mr. Garfield Wright measured the magnetic field in the solenoid versus the current through the solenoid windings on October 26, 1998.  The data obtained by Mr. Wright indicate that the solenoid produces an axial B field of 18.7 G for every ampere of current through the solenoid windings.  We are therefore able to control the magnetic field inside the solenoid.  When we place a gas sample inside the solenoid, we will be able to control the magnetic field applied to the sample by controlling the current through the solenoid windings.

Mr. Garfield Wright measured the magnetic field in the solenoid at different positions inside the solenoid windings on November 6, 1998.  The theoretical prediction of the B field magnitude closely matches the actual field measurements made by Mr. Wright.  These data indicate the the magnetic field is fairly constant inside the solenoid.