Modernization of Gamma Ray Physics Laboratory Program

该项目旨在更新和大幅升级泽维尔大学物理/应用物理专业和物理集中教育专业的核物理实验室计划的伽马射线光谱部分。通过获得高纯度，高分辨率锗（HPGe）探测器和装配现代计算机多通道分析仪系统，将实现伽马射线能谱实验的重大改进。提出了两种这样的体系，一种用于锗，一种用于碘化钠。每个系统都由最先进的硬件和软件组成。每个系统都充分和适当地利用了核实验室中最近获得的两台IBM PS/2型80计算机。通过提高HPGe探测器的分辨率以及软件的强大分析和库功能，学生的实验和研究项目得到了加强和改进。正在加强和增加关于光子探测、伽马射线物理和核物理原理的教学，并提供以计算机为基础的现代核数据获取和分析技术的培训。这样的培训对于将来将在高科技行业或研究生研究实验室工作的本科生很重要。光谱系统也为更有意义的本科生研究项目提供了机会。

The project is to update and substantially upgrade the gamma ray spectroscopy component of the nuclear physics laboratory program for physics/applied physics majors and physics concentration education majors at Xavier. By acquiring a high purity, high-resolution germanium (HPGe) detector and by assembling modern computer based multichannel analyzer systems, significant improvements in gamma ray spectroscopy experiments will be achieved. Two such systems are proposed, one for germanium and one for sodium iodide. Each system are comprised of state-of-the-art hardware and software. Each system makes significant and appropriate use of two recently acquired IBM PS/2 Model 80 computers in the nuclear laboratory. Student experiments and research projects are enhanced and improved by the increased resolution of the HPGe detector and by the powerful analysis and library features of the software. Instruction in the principles of photon detection, gamma ray physics, and nuclear physics is being enhanced and increased and training in modern computer-based nuclear data acquisition and analysis techniques is being provided. Such training is important for undergraduates who will later work in high technology industries or graduate research laboratories. The spectroscopy systems also provide opportunities for more meaningful undergraduate student research projects.