Projects
Sample research projects for BYU REU students
Justin Peatross
High Harmonic Generation
Our group has built a laser system that produces intense light pulses lasting a few tens of femtoseconds. By concentrating the laser energy into such a brief interval, extraordinary intensities can be achieved (equivalent to taking all of the sunlight striking the Earth and concentrating it onto the head of a pin). For more information visit http://webs.byu.edu/jpeatross/ . In one example project, students will use high harmonic light to probe the reflectivity of multi layer mirror surfaces in the extreme ultraviolet wavelength range. Since the high harmonics are linearly polarized, the reflectance at oblique incidence can be studied as a function of polarization orientation.
Background Needed
- students should have a basic understanding of the wave and ray theory of light.
- they should have careful hands-on aptitude for working with expensive (and potentially dangerous) laser equipment
- some experience in metal machining is also useful.
Skills Developed
Students will learn how to safely use high-energy short-pulsed lasers, generate high harmonics, model ultra-short light pulses, use high vacuum systems, and utilize optical detection systems.
Branton Campbell
Materials Science
Students in our group use intense particle beams (e.g. electrons, x-rays, neutrons) to probe atomic structures in useful and exotic materials such as high-temperature superconductors, colossal magnetoresistors and superionic conductors. Our group has a high-intensity single-crystal x-ray diffractometer equipped with a rotating anode source, focusing optics, and a 16-megapixel x-ray camera. We also travel to national and international facilities for synchrotron x-ray and neutron scattering experiments, and collaborate with Prof. Richard Vanfleet in using two new transmission electron microscopes (TEM) for atomic-resolution imaging. Please see (http://webs.byu.edu/campbell for more information.
Background Needed
- introductory physics and/or chemistry courses
- programming experience
- machine shop experience helpful
Skills Developed
-
Drive state-of-the-art diffraction and microscopy instruments
-
get hands-on experience building new equipment
-
learn Fourier analysis techniques
Ross Spencer
Computational Plasma Physics
Work in computational plasma and gas dynamics involves the kinetic theory of plasma vibrations and applied work on the expansion of a hot gas through a supersonic nozzle. Students who work in this area will learn the basics of particle-in-cell simulations, electrostatic field calculations, and the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method.
Background Needed
- Exposure to solving differential equations.
- Some computer experience.
Skills Developed
- MATLAB
programming experience.
- FORTRAN
programming experience.
- Computational
physics tools.Basic plasma
physics.
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Steve Turley
Extreme Ultraviolet Optics
Students will characterize optics designed for the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) part of the spectrum. From these characterizations, we will learn the optical and materials properties needed to design mirrors, filters, and polarizers for applications in space-based telescopes, XUV photolithography, XUV microscopes, and plasma diagnostics. Our analysis tools and techniques include x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XUV reflectometry, visible and UV ellipsometry, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and electron microscopy. Most of these measurements will be made at BYU, but some may require a trip to the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories.
Background Needed
- Introductory exposure to the physics of electromagnetic waves and ray optics. Computer experience may be helpful (particularly with Labview).
- Basic machine
shop experience may be helpful.
Skills Learned
- high vacuum techniques
- understanding of XUV optics, sources, and detectors
- improved programming skills
- use of the characterization equipment mentioned above
- preparation of optics for space applications
- optical modeling skills
For more information see http://volta.byu.edu/xray.html
David Allred
Extreme Ultraviolet Optics
Background Needed
- Introductory mechanics, electromagnetic theory, and modern physics.
Skills and Knowledge Learned
- High vacuum and ultra-high vacuum systems.
- Sputtering techniques.
- X-ray diffraction measurements.
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements.
- Ellipsometry.
- Atomic force microscopy.
- Thin film evaporation techniques.
Gus Hart
Materials Science
Background Needed
- Programming and scripting skills or a willingness to learn Unix computing skills
- Basic understanding of solid state physics or a willingness to learn
Skills and Knowledge Learned
- High performance computing skills.
- Fundamentals of alloys and solid state physics.
- Programming/scripting/analysis skills.
- Group theory/combinatorics/linear algebra
Robert
Davis
Nanostructure Fabrication and Characterization
Our group is working at one of the exciting frontiers of physics research, nanometer scale fabrication and characterization. Recent advances now allow us to fabricate structures with sizes down to a few atomic dimensions across. These nanostructured materials may have significant impact in solar power conversion, display technology, or as dyes for high-resolution biological imaging. A host of new physical measurements can be performed on these structures. We are specifically interested in a new class of nanocrystals, single crystalline particles 5 nm to 10 nm across. These particles, consisting of only 1000 to 10000 atoms each, can serve as building blocks to construct more complex structures unit by unit. Visualizing and manipulating these small particles to form new more complex structures now appears possible by Atomic Force Manipulation. This is a technique involving manipulation with an atomic force microscope (AFM) probe. AFM's are new high resolution microscopes that are becoming increasingly used in the semiconductor industry as well as in biology where high resolution imaging of surfaces is needed. Summer projects will include fabrication and optical characterization of nanocrystaline particles and multi-particle structures, atomic force microscopy and manipulation, and electron microscopy of particles.
Background Needed
- introductory mechanics, electromagnetic theory, and modern physics
Skills and Knowledge Learned
- Nanomaterial preparation techniques. Atomic force microscopy. Optical characterization techniques.
- Electron microscopy.
Tim Leishman and Kent Gee
Accoustics
There are a number of opportunities for research in the area of acoustics. Acoustic measurement techniques are being developed to extend our measurement capabilities, and opportunities would be available in the area of measuring acoustic power in a reverberant field, or alternatively, using acoustic intensity techniques. Also, we are looking at some ideas for measuring loudspeaker parameters using acoustic transmission loss measurements, and we are also investigating acoustic properties in enclosures as they relate to the field of architectural acoustics. Finally, there are measurement and analysis opportunities in the areas of outdoor sound propagation and high-amplitude noise.
Background Needed:
-
strong interest in acoustics, audio, or noise control, good “hands-on” skills, aptitude for working with instrumentation (oscilloscopes, analyzers, microphones, etc), familiarity with a numerical mathematics program such as MATLAB or Mathcad, basic knowledge of passive electrical circuits
Skills and Knowledge Learned:
- general acoustical analysis
- general acoustical measurements
- loudspeaker measurements
- loudspeaker characterization
- loudspeaker enclosure design
- architectural acoustics measurements
- plane wave tube measurements.
Richard Vanfleet
Electron Microscopy
These projects involve the characterization of materials from the micron level down to atomic dimensions. The primary tools are electron microscopes (SEM and TEM). These unique instruments will not only allow students to image nanostructures and new materials but will allow them to probe structure, composition, and chemistry with high resolution.
Background
Needed:
- introductory physics
- some computer experience
Skills Learned:
- materials handling and polishing
- SEM and TEM sample preparation
- SEM and TEM basic operation
Dallin Durfee
Background
Needed
- An interest in atomic physics and lasers, good reasoning skills, and the ability to put things together and make them work.
- While not necessary, some experience with optics, electronics, machining, or some knowledge of modern physics would be very helpful.
Skills Developed
- How to work with and construct lasers and optical systems
- Design and construction of electronics
- Laser cooling and laser spectroscopy
- Ultra-high vacuum techniques
- Mechanical design and construction.
- Practical knowledge of quantum and atomic physics theory.
J. Ward Moody
Background Needed
- LabVIEW
- Some electronics
- Computer control of instrumentation
- Introductory astronomy
- General problem
solving skills
Skills and Knowledge Gained
- Astronomical observing techniques
- CCD Imaging
- Basic telescope operations.
- Theory of variable galaxy nuclei
- Data reduction methods
using IRAF software
Scott Bergeson
Atomic Physics
Constructing and characterizing a calcium beam source for an atomic clock. The beam will be generated by heating calcium atoms under high vacuum to produce a thermal vapor. A small hole in the oven will allow some of the vapor to spray out. The escaping vapor will be collimated by two very narrow slits. The student’s work would involve constructing the oven, measuring the velocity distribution and total flux of atoms using absorption spectroscopy, and comparing the measurements to theory to assure that the oven is operating properly.
Background Needed
- Students should be familiar with the fundamentals of optics and thermodynamics, and should be comfortable working with their hands and with tools.
- An advanced knowledge of optics, lasers, vacuum technology, or electronics would be helpful but not necessary.
- Machine shop skills are also useful.
Skills Developed
- Students will learn such things as how to work with lasers and modern optics
- How to make optical measurements accurately
- How to take and interpret atomic spectra
- How to apply thermodynamics to a real experiment, the basics of high vacuum technology, and lab and laser safety.
Eric Hintz
Astronomy
There are a large number of astrophysical events that can be studied by finding and monitoring variable stars. My research program is currently working on methods of finding very low amplitude variables in open clusters. We find pulsating variable stars and eclipsing variable stars, and perhaps one day we will find an extra-solar planet. These stars give information about the clusters and the evolution of stars. In addition, we have been monitoring High-Mass X-ray Binary systems. This is a binary star system with one supermassive star in orbit around a black hole. We will likely monitor a number of these systems in the summer of 2008. REU students will work on a project in one of these fields by taking data either on campus, or at our West Mountain Observatory.
Background Needed
- introductory astronomy class helpful
Skills and Knowledge Learned
- astronomical observing techniques
- CCD observing
- telescope operations
- data reduction methods using IRAF
- astronomy background
John Colton
Opticl Studies of Semiconductors
This research has been focused on studying the spin of electrons in semiconductors (spin is an inherent property of electrons, like charge or mass). We have been working on making experimental measurements of spin lifetimes in the semiconductor GaAs (gallium arsenide), its alloys, and in semiconductor nanostructures based on GaAs & alloys. Experimental techniques combine optical spectroscopies such as photoluminescence and reflectivity with magnetic resonance of the electron and nuclear spins. Experiments are done at very low temperatures (1.5 K) and large magnetic fields (1+ tesla). Students help in all aspects of the experimental work, including things like writing computer programs to control equipment and take data, aligning the lasers and optics, and filling up the magnet system with liquid helium.
Background Needed
- introductory modern physics class
- some computer programming and/or basic electronics would help
Skills Developed
- experience with lasers, microwaves, liquid nitrogen & liquid helium, and a very powerful magnet
- optical spectroscopy techniques
- fundamental concepts in quantum mechanics and semiconductor physics
- computer programs to control experiments
- miscellaneous lab skills (basic electronics, plumbing, soldering, etc.)
Denise Stephens
Astronomy
Our research group is currently looking for both binary brown dwarf systems and binary objects in the Kuiper Belt using data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). An REU student would primarily work with us on refining the binary detection technique, looking for new binary systems, and characterizing the uncertainty in the detection approach and the final magnitudes, separations, etc. of the systems.
Background Needed
- Introductory astronomy class useful, but not required
- Must be able to write and work with some kind of computer programming language
- Have enough familiarity with programming to read and understand fortran programs
Skills and Knowledge Learned
- Analyzing and Reducing data from HST
- Creating programs to handle various aspects of data reduction
- Learning how to program using monte carlo techniques
- Data reduction using the STSDAS package in IRAF
- Background in astronomy doing some cutting edge research
BYU
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
RET Program
P.O. Box 24679
Provo, UT 84602-4679
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