Bulletin of the American Physical Society
Joint Spring 2013 Meeting of the Texas Sections of the APS and AAPT and Zone 13 of the SPS
Volume 58, Number 3
Thursday–Saturday, April 4–6, 2013; Stephenville, Texas
Session D4: Society of Physics Students I |
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Chair: Bryant Wyatt, Tarleton State University Room: Science Building 105 |
Friday, April 5, 2013 2:00PM - 2:12PM |
D4.00001: An N-Body Study of Late Lunar-Forming Impacts Justin Eiland, Brett Hokr, Justin Highland, Travis Salzillo, Bryant Wyatt Jupiter has 63 moons some believed to be captured asteroids and others to have been formed from accumulations of Jupiter's circumplanetary disk. Mars has two distinct moons which are thought to be captured asteroids. Earth has only one moon, but what makes our moon interesting and unique is its large relative size compared to Earth and its lack of iron. Because of this, it is believed that the Earth-Moon system was formed by a giant impact which stripped off a large portion of the Earth's outer material to create our Moon. Impact studies have produced Earth-disk systems with the protolunar disk being sufficiently massive and iron-depleted but have not created an Earth-Moon system. Models have also been produced that show how a moon can be formed from a disk of debris similar to that produced by these collision simulations. However, there has currently been no model that produced both the Earth and the Moon from a single simulation. In this study we use a simplified body to body, gravity centered force model coupled with General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit's (GPGPU) for computing power to accomplish what has previously eluded researchers. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 2:12PM - 2:24PM |
D4.00002: Development of a NIFFTE clean glove box William Lynn The Neutron Induced Fission Fragment Tracking Experiment (NIFFTE) uses a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) to measure the probability that a fission reaction will occur when an actinide target, such as Uranium or Plutonium, is struck with a beam of neutrons. If a fission reaction occurs, the resulting fission fragments travel through the TPC and are detected by the read-out electronics. This information is then used to construct a 3-D representation of the fission fragment as it travelled through the TPC. In order to protect workers from any radiation hazards associated with Plutonium targets, the targets must be installed in the TPC from within a glove box. The internal structure of the TPC is extremely sensitive to small amounts of dust and this necessitates that the TPC be disassembled and reassembled in a cleanroom environment. To satisfy both of these conditions, a decision was made to modify an existing glove box to produce a cleanroom environment with fewer than 10 particles (dust, etc.) per cubic foot inside of it. Variables such as glove type, filter, and cleaning agent were tested independently to determine maximum cleanliness, and a procedure for creating an acceptable environment inside the glove box for the TPC was developed. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 2:24PM - 2:36PM |
D4.00003: Measuring Light Emitting Diodes with a Scanner for Radiant Flux and Color Characterization Anthony Phung, Clint Naquin, Omar Hasan, Wei-Ting Liou, Roxanne Lee, Armand Halbert, An-Ting Liu, Emin Bursa, David Taylor, Jason Slinker Due to the performance requirements of displays and lighting applications, there is great need to measure the radiant flux and color of light emitting diodes (LEDs) simultaneously in a high throughput format. We evaluate the feasibility of obtaining reliable color and radiant flux values of light emitting diodes with a conventional commercially available scanner under factory settings versus conventional measurements. Color purity was evaluated against a spectrometer and a digital camera, while radiant flux was evaluated against photodiodes. Scanner color rendition of red, green, and yellow LEDs was of variable quality. The scanner showed better correlation to conventional radiant flux measurements, with linear least squares agreement between 0.934 and 0.985. A scanner represents a low cost and high throughput means of evaluating LEDs with simultaneous measures of both electroluminescent flux and emission color with operational time. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 2:36PM - 2:48PM |
D4.00004: Graphitic Carbon Nitride Fabrication Adam Collard, Yancen Li, Joel Therrien Single atom thickness carbon nitride sheets have been predicted as good high speed semiconductors. However, it is difficult to synthesize large continuous single layer sheets. Although large amorphous multilayer sheets can be produced easily, single layer sheets require a precise deposition method and solution. We synthesized the carbon nitride at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in the Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing. Synthesis starts by depositing solutions on silicon wafers using various deposition methods. Wafers are then baked in an ultrahigh purity argon environment where ammonia is removed thereby transforming the chemical deposit of Dicyandiamide into carbon nitride. After baking samples they are tested with Raman Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. Single atom thickness samples are then patterned using negative photoresist lithography and coated with aluminum. Excess aluminum is removed and the samples are probed to test band gap and resistivity. Difficulties were encountered in finding a good solvent, proper concentration, and deposition method that worked. The synthesis techniques, solution types, baking specifications, characterization techniques, and results will be presented. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 2:48PM - 3:00PM |
D4.00005: The Mechanism, Safety and Prospect of Microwave Oven Angela Li GENERAL STATEMENT The microwave ovens have been accredited with their convenience, but also questioned for their safety. To understand if the current models of microwaves are adequate for household use, the researcher conducted a study in the heating mechanism of microwaves. The studies also provide the outlook for improvements and further microwave applications for green energy use. METHODS A number of experiments have been conducted, including the Melting Marshmallow, detecting the energy density field around a household microwave, and energy efficiency estimation of microwave versus other heating apparatus. Theory-wise, a relatively comprehensive research was performed on the the nutritious values of microwave cooked food. FINDINGS The microwave oven heating is produced by the friction between water and food molecules. The electric field inside the oven cavity can be modeled by the computer. Household microwaves are not threats to health due to negligible wave leakage. The microwaves have also evolved throughout the years. However, the uneven heating has been the main reason that downgrades the texture of the microwave cooked food. CONCLUSION Microwave ovens are safe for household uses. As an efficient way of heating, microwave should be applied in a greater variety of fields. There are still technical challenges on directly increasing the quality of the microwave heated food. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 3:00PM - 3:12PM |
D4.00006: Learning new skills with undergraduate research Gregory Beuhler, Nikoleta Theodoropoulou Undergraduate research can provide an opportunity to learn new skills as well as gain valuable work experience prior to graduation. This semester I am assisting a graduate student at Texas State University-San Marcos with testing for a two-dimensional electron gas between layers of strontium titanate oxide (STO) and bismuth ferric oxide (BFO). So far I am being trained in thin film deposition techniques, such as DC and RF sputtering, and transport measurements using a physical property measurement system. I have also been trained in the use of a state-of-the-art dual beam scanning electron microscope (Helios 400) to perform electron beam lithography, ion-beam milling, and gas injection deposition. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the lab so far and hope to encourage other students to get hands-on physics experience and continue learning. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 3:12PM - 3:24PM |
D4.00007: Elastic and Inelastic Neutron Scattering Cross Sections on $^{23}$Na L. Sidwell, B. Combs, S.F. Hicks, J.R. Vanhoy, E.E. Peters, B.C. Crider, A. Kumar, M.T. McEllistrem, F.M. Prados-Est\'evez, S.W. Yates Elastic and inelastic neutron scattering differential cross sections from $^{23}$Na, useful in certain fission reactor applications, were measured using the neutron scattering and detection facilities at the University of Kentucky (UK) in June of 2012. A pulsed proton beam was accelerated using the 7-MV Van de Graaf accelerator, and neutrons were produced using the $^{3}$H(p,n)$^{3}$He source reaction, which occurred when the proton beam was incident on a tritium cell at the end of the beam line. The neutrons were scattered off a $^{23}$Na sample and detected by a C$_{6}$D$_{6}$ liquid scintillation detector using pulse shape discrimination and time-of-flight methods. Angular distributions of scattered neutrons were measured for incident neutron energies of 3.20 and 3.40 MeV. These incident neutron energies were chosen because they are of interest for reactor applications and because few previous measurements exist in this region. As the result of data analysis performed at the University of Dallas, the elastic and inelastic neutron scattering differential cross sections on $^{23}$Na were determined for the 3.20 and 3.40 MeV incident neutron energy measurements. Results from this analysis and comparisons to evaluated nuclear data predictions for these cross sections will be presented. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 3:24PM - 3:36PM |
D4.00008: The Acoustic Analogue of the Reissner-Nordstr\"om Metric Dasith de Silva, Kenny F. Stephens II Some analogues in solid state physics allow us to gain a better understanding of certain aspects of gravity. A canonical acoustic metric of a Bose-Einstein condensate based on the Schwarzschild metric has been developed [M.~Visser, ``Acoustic black holes: Horizons, ergospheres, and Hawking radiation,'' Class.\ Quant.\ Grav.\ {\bf 15}, 1767 (1998) [gr-qc/9712010]]. We extend that approach to the Reissner-Nordstr\"om metric. To do this, we start by looking at a test charge in a plasma described by a Bose-Einstein condensate scalar field. The resulting potential, a modified Yukawa potential, is then used to determine an acoustic analogue of the Reissner-Nordstr\"om metric. We anticipate that this approach will yield a testable description of the analogue model. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 3:36PM - 3:48PM |
D4.00009: Trends in Light n-Capture Elements Tristan Odekirk, Jacob Teffs Elements are created in stars through a variety of processes including fusion and neutron-capture (n-capture). Some of these processes have been well studied and the source of these processes is believed to be known with some confidence. The elements strontium (Sr), yttrium (Y) and zirconium (Zr) reside in the mass range where there is uncertainty about the production mechanism early on the history of the Galaxy. Initially, the rapid n-capture process (r-process) was believed to be responsible for their production. No study as yet has been able to use the r-process abundances to match the lighter n-capture mass range. There may be secondary r-process responsible for this mass range. Seeking trends in the abundances of Light n-Capture elements is one tool for establishing the types of sites that might be the source of these elements. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 3:48PM - 4:00PM |
D4.00010: Comparing the 2MASS and WISE Infrared Databases for Classification of Background Stars and Embedded Young Stellar Objects John Grzehowiak, Samantha Simpson, Richard Beach, Sachindev Shenoy, Dwight Russell The Taurus Molecular Cloud is a region of high rate of star formation. The 2MASS (Two-Micron All Sky Survey) online infrared database is an often used way to probe a Dark Molecular Cloud (DMC) such as Taurus Molecular Cloud. Using the J (1.25 microns), H (1.65 microns), and K (2.17 microns) bands, the 2MASS database can see through a visually opaque cloud to observe reddened background stars. The WISE (Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer) infrared database is also helpful in probing DMC's. It resides in the far infrared, with the bands w1 (3.4 microns), w2 (4.6 microns), w3 (12 microns), and w4 (22 microns). Because DMC's have star forming regions, there are stars embedded in the cloud, called Young Stellar Objects (YSO's). Using both databases to probe the Taurus Molecular Cloud we have compared the data collected on the stars received through color index graphs. The indices presented which stars are YSO's and which are background stars. The goal of this study is to compare the color index graphs of the 2MASS and WISE databases to find if the WISE database can determine which stars are YSO's better than 2MASS. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 4:00PM - 4:12PM |
D4.00011: PyCBC: A Toolkit for Advanced-Detector Era Gravitational Wave Data Analysis Andrew Miller, Duncan Brown, Tito Dal Canton, Badri Krishnan, Alex Nitz, Josh Willis Gravitational wave detections are an important step into the future of astrophysics because they will be able to provide a new look at our universe, which will complement our traditional electromagnetic observations. Inspiraling compact binary systems are an important source for potential detections. As the sensitivity of ground-based interferometers is improved, searches for gravitational waves from these sources become more computationally intensive; more data-analysis tools are required to make these searches as efficient as possible. PyCBC is one such software toolkit that will provide a high-level framework for analysis, including the ability to transparently use GPU computing. [Preview Abstract] |
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