Anne Smith from the Univ. of Pittsburgh, working with Prof. Thompson , Prof. Peter Lichard, and Dave Kraus, on magnetic field maps in E865 at BNL. "Re-evaluation of the Magnetic Field in E865". She compared measured magnetic field components for Experiment E865 at BNL (search for the rare kaon decay K to pion, muon, and electron) with candidate models to be used in analysis. Discovered, verified and elucidated shifts and scaling factors between some models, and catalogued data discrepancies.
Alexander Urban from the Univ. of Texas, working with Prof. Julia Thompson, Prof. Donna Naples, and Dave Kraus on optical transition radiation and its possible use as a beam monitor in the MINOS experiment at FNAL."Optical Transition Radiation as a Possible Means of Particle Beam Monitoring for the MINOS Experiment". He found that one apparent peak in the backward direction was an artifact arising from a different derivation for the forward and backward hemispheres.
Sarah Panitzke, from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, working with Prof. Thompson and Dave Kraus on simulation of Cerenkov radiation and comparison to previous year's laboratory studies by Ferry Oriyo from Ohio Wesleyan University. "The Development of a Convenient Source of Cerenkov Radiation: Using Computer Simulations to Predict Results." She built a GEANT model of a small table top Cerenkov radiation experiment, incorporating total internal reflection. Singles rates not yet in good agreement, but ratio of singles and coincidence rates from two photomultipliers agree to within about 10%.
An Ngo, shown also with TA's Elizabeth Leeds and Gordon Weinberg at the Duquesne end of summer conference. An is from Bryn Mawr College, and worked with Prof. Xiao-Lun Wu on two-dimensional fluids. "Binary Crystallization in Two Dimensions, and the Covalent Coupling of a Fluorescein." She continued a study begun by previous summer student Damian Cupid [Applied Physics Letters, 77,1640 (2000)]. The project is a study of binary crystals and the dependence of the phase diagram of such crystals (in this case two different sized colloidal particles) on composition and diameter ratio of the two components of the system. An worked on a reaction to label small particles fluorescently and prediction of possible binary allowed structures, based on maximum packing density calculations.
Carla Adams. Carla is from the University of Pittsburgh and worked with Prof. Andy Connolly in the astrophysics group. "High Redshifted Galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field". Her talk on preliminary results was included in the NCUR 2000 proceedings, and in 1999 she gave a plenary session talk at the 1999 Duquesne Summer Research Symposium. Red shifts were found by a pixel-by-pixel technique for 37 of the galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field for which spectroscopic redshifts had previously been made. Comparison of the pixel-by-pixel results from this work with previously found spectroscopic red shifts indicated good agreement. The photometric method was then applied to other galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field, comparing their age (based on comparison with various possible red-shift templates) to their average red-shift. Preliminarily, it seems that at most redshifts, galaxies have a high fractional population of younger stars. The work is continuing.
Charlotte Sotomayer, , of the University of Southern Florida, working with Research Assistant Professor Sandya Rao of the astrophysics group, using quasar absorption lines to study the evolution of neutral hydrogen in the universe. "Utilizing Quasar Absorption Lines to Study the Universe."
Justin Russell working with Prof. Eric Borguet. "Phase Separation in Two Dimensions on Carbonaceous Surfaces: Implications for Atmospheric Chemistry." Justin gave a plenary session talk at the 2000 Duquesne Summer Research Symposium. Justin Russell and his group combinied experiment and theory to investigate the adsorption and desorption on carbonaceous surface with a focus on environmental issues and applications. Experiments using a polar organic molecule, acetone, revealed the existence of monolayer, bilayer and multilayer adsorption states with coverage dependent binding energies, reflecting inter-adsorbate interactions. Adsorption was found to follow a Volmer-Weber rather than a layer-by-layer growth mode. Molecular simulation of acetone on planar graphite confirmed the experimental observation of Volmer-Weber growth. A paper (S. Kwon, J. Russell, X. Zhao, R. Vidic, J.K. Johnson, and E. Borguet, "A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Polar Organic Adsorption/Desorption from Model Carbonaceous Surfaces; Acetone on Graphite" has been submitted to Surface Science.
Ernest Oopare, "Bose-Einstein Condensation of Excitonns in Cu2O", from Ohio Wesleyan University, and Vasilica Crecea, "Applications of Non-Linear Optics in LASER Technology: The Optical Parametric Amplifier", from Bard College, both working with Prof. David Snoke on the construction of an optical parametric amplifier to be used in conjunction with a search for Bose Einstein condensation of excitons.
Larissa Bifano , from Cornell University, working with Prof. Peter Siska using crossed molecular beams to study reaction dynamics. "PIEAD Studies on Excited He interacting with CO". Larissa presented preliminary results from similar work from summer 1999 at the NCUR 2000 conference in Missoula, Montana. Recoil angle-energy distributions for the Penning ionization of carbon monoxide CO by excited helium He* (1s2s) have been measured at two energies of collision in a crossed molecular beam experiment. The CO+ product ion is strongly forward scattered with a slight energy loss. In comparison with the previously-studied He* + N2 reaction, the products are more sharply forward scattered, with less loss of energy, perhaps displaying the effects of the end-to-end asymmetry of CO and a preference for one end over the other in the transition state. The results achieved in the summer are being supplemented by further experiments in Prof. Siska's group, and are expected to lead to a publication.
Opal Harrison , "Modeling and Kinematics of the Structure of the Foot for Mechanical Analylsis", from Xavier University, and Ronald Moore , "Modeling and Kinematics of the Foot for Mechanical Replacement of Ankle Replacements", from Jackson State University, both working with biomechancial engineer Prof. Mark Miller studing mechanics of ankle movement. They digitized a cadaveric ankle, making a 3-D model which is being used in studies of ankle replacement. The computer representation led directly to improved computational understanding of the load distribution in the lower leg and to clarification of the surgical issues surrounding optimal orientation of the replacement components.
Kaisha Fields, "Shape Memory Alloys", from Dillard University, and Ryan West , "Computer Simulation of Springback in Metals", from the University of Pittsburgh, both working with Prof. Oladipo Onipede studying "smart memory alloys", their possible use in mechanical devices, and general modelling of mechanical properties of materials.
Trisha Hinners , and Nicole Davis , both from Southern Univ. of Illinois at Edwardsville, working with Prof. Art Braundmeier , also of the University of Southern Illinois at Edwardsville, on color response of film and plasmon resonance in thin silver films. "Study of the Color Response of Color Print Film", and "Study of the Surface Plasmon Resonance in Thin Ag Films".
Anne Sumowski , from Southern Univ. of Illinois at Edwardsville, working with Prof. Mary Jane Kernan of the University of Missouri at St. Louis, on construction of an amplifier for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system. "Nuclear Magnetic Resonance."
Gracia Schoonover, , of Old Dominion University, shown here with TA Bill Love. Ms. Schoonover worked with Senior Research Associate David Kraus and Prof. Julia Thompson on a possible search for high energy cosmic rays using detectors in high schools, including timing using GPS modules. "Cosmic Rays." She gathered information relevant to possible placement of simple scintillator detectors in high schools to study ultra-high energy cosmic rays, made an absolute measurement of the lab position, from US Geol. Survey maps, which yielded agreement to within a few meters. With Prof. Thompson she began some simple studies of particle correlations in large energy cosmic ray showers or wide extent. Her work served as the kernel of presentations by Thompson at a conference on Cosmic Rays in High Schools, Seattle, Washington, Sept. 21-23, and at the fall Illinois AAPT meeting at the Southern University of Illinois at Edwardsville in October, 2000.
Andrea Habakuk , from Teach for America Corps, working with Dr. Chandrelekha Singh of the University of Pittsburgh on studies of common misconceptions in Magnetism, developing a test to identify these misconceptions. "Physics Education Research: what we teach and what is learned, a mismatch?"
Loretta Williams , from Brussels High School in southern Illinois, now working at the Adult Learning Center in Carlinville, Illinois. She worked with Roger Lewis of St. Louis University on comparison of methods of removing lead dust from carpets. "Lead Abatement Research." Ms. Williams made a presentation to her lab group, also to the adult learning center, and is planning a presentation to the local school board, who are planning renovations of some of their older buildings.
Ladonna Singleton , from East St. Louis Senior High School, East St. Louis, Illinois, working with Prof. Thompson on a measurement of the sensitivity of an XRF lead detector to lead buried beneath additional layers of latex paint. "Lead Poisoning/Lead Abatement/Lead Cure." She measured the response of an XRF lead detector to buried lead paint, as a function of overlaid coats of paint. Also measured depth reading as a function of coats of paint.
Last Modified Nov. 23, 2000 By J. A. Thompson