Cold Ions/Cold Neutrals
We are in the process of combining apparatuses to study cold ion-neutral reactions.
Heather Lewandowski
Cold Ions/Warm Neutrals
Reactions of cold ions with warm neutrals
Mid-IR Molecular Spectroscopy
Measuring the vibrational spectra of cold, isolated molecules using a mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy setup
Cryogenic Buffer-gas Cooled Beams
Generation of cold, isolated molecules using a Cryogenic Buffer-Gas Beam (CBGB)
Traveling-wave Deceleration
The traveling wave decelerator utilizes ring electrodes charged to voltages that vary sinusoidially both in space and time.
Pulsed Deceleration
Pulsed deceleration utilizes pairs of oppositely charged rods to create the longitudinal potential hill for cold polar molecules to climb.
Advanced Lab Course
Our Advanced Lab course (PHYS 4430) includes a variety of guided modern physics labs, including a magneto-optic trap for atoms, a muon lifetime experiment, various optics labs, and others. Additionally, the course includes a five-week student designed project. The course learning goals were developed through a faculty consensus process. The original detailed goals, as defined in 2011, can be found below under "Related Files."
Electronics Course
Over several years, we engaged in a systematic overhaul of Physics 3330, Electronics for the Physical Sciences (aka J-lab), which is an upper-division required course for all physics and engineering physics majors. The ideas used to guide the changes arose from structured discussions with a large number of faculty members (22) in the context of creating learning goals for the Advanced Lab (PHYS4430), the subsequent transformation work conducted in the Advanced Lab course, our own personal experience teaching the J-lab many times, and our experience with electronics in a
Introductory Lab Course (remote)
During the Fall 2020 term, when faced with the challenge of instructing a large (400+ student), introductory physics lab virtually, we redesigned the entire course to create a unique experience for the students --a CURE. Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) involve students in authentic research by engaging students in inquiries where neither the students nor the instructor know the answer.
Introductory Lab Course (In-Person)
We transformed our introductory physics lab course to better prepare students for future courses and careers. We began by soliciting input from a variety of university stakeholders including faculty and staff from both physics and the College of Engineering and Applied Science. The consensus learning goals are listed below.
The Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program supports university-based centers and institutes where the collective efforts of a larger group of individuals can enable transformational advances in the most promising research areas. The program is designed to foster major breakthroughs at the intellectual frontiers of physics by providing needed resources such as combinations of talents, skills, disciplines, and/or specialized infrastructure, not usually available to individual investigators or small groups, in an environment in which the collective efforts of the larger group can be shown to be seminal to promoting significant progress in the science and the education of students. PFCs also include creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented groups, and outreach to the scientific community and general public.