Research - Research Groups
Astronomical Research
Professors Batuski and Comins coordinate with graduate students to form the astronomy group. The group uses a network of Sun and Linux/Pentium workstations and an extensive set of software for research purposes, such as:
• N-body and hydrodynamic modeling of disk galaxy dynamics
• AIPS and IRAF data analysis packages (observational research)
• Fortran, Pascal, and C++ programming
• IDL, PGPLOT, SUNvision, and PHIGS graphics packages
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Biophysics
Sam Hess's Research Group
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Liquid Crystals
This laboratory uses a variety of equipment to explore the properties of liquid crystals and colloids. Equipment includes a static and dynamic light scattering goniometer, polarizing microscope, and electromagnet.
Contact Dr. James McClymer for more information.
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Low Temperature Physics
A well-equipped low temperature physics laboratory is available for a variety of research studies.
Three different dewar systems are instrumented for electromagnetic, ultrasonic, and optical research. The optical system is unique. The dewar is mounted on a vibration isolation table, equipped with a holographic microscope and both photographic and digital video image recording.
Ultrasonic research facilities, including a spectrum analyzer to 100 MHz, a high intensity continuous or pulse source, and a pulse overlap intervalometer are used to study physical acoustics in cryogenic liquids.
The laboratory houses two computer systems: a digital video image processing computer and a digital waveform analyzer computer with FFT, convolution capability and process control.
The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments for transport measurements, and temperature measurements and control.
Contact Dr. Charles Smith for information.
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Nuclear Instrumentation
The nuclear instruments laboratory has facilities for handling radioactive materials and contains numerous detectors and pulse processing equipment.
A variety of low level nuclear waste problems has been studied in this laboratory, using samples from nuclear power reactors, fallout sources, and environmental radionuclides.
Ge(Li), Si(Li), and intrinsic Ge detectors, and a three detector X-ray counting facility, multiplexed into pulse height analyzers with floppy disk and on-line computers, are all employed in gamma-ray spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and alpha particle spectroscopy of radionuclides.
Two HP85 Datalogger computers are used in radon measurements.
Contact Dr. Charles T. Hess for information.
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The Physics Education Research Laboratory (P.E.R.L.)
P.E.R.L. promotes awareness of physics in primary and secondary schools, and prepares college physics students for furthering this awareness by becoming educators themselves.
Physics Education Research does what?
• Strives to understand the complex components of standard education models.
• Interviews and tests students to identify areas of performance difficulties.
• Identifies specific conceptual and reasoning pitfalls students must overcome in learning physics.
• Analyzes collected data to form coherent intervention strategies.
• Constructs meaningful feedback mechanisms to improve instruction.
• Guides changes in both instruction and materials to foster an understanding physics.
For more information, contact Dr. Michael Wittmann
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Surface Sciences
Professors of the Department of Physics and Astronomy are involved in cutting edge research in the properties of material surfaces. This work is primaily conducted at the Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology (LASST).
LASST is a multidisciplinary program engaging in research related to surfaces, interfaces, and thin film materials. The Departments of Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy (Professors Unertl, Lad and Kleban), Electrical & Computer Engineering participate in this joint research venture.
The LASST mission includes the following goals:
• Encouraging research on fundamental and applied surface, interface, and materials problems.
• Transferring basic and applied research development to the industrial sector.
• Providing research opportunities and advanced training for MS and Ph.D. students, undergraduates, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists.
• Developing strong industrial ties through joint university-industrial research projects and consulting.
• Organizing internal and external seminar programs, workshops and topical conferences.
• Offering introductory and advanced courses in areas such as vacuum technology, thin film technology, surface science, materials science and electronic devices.
LASST participates in research and educational activities providing valuable training for students in high technologies, as well as the general public.
For more information, contact Dr. Robert Lad.
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