Optical Phenomena in Materials (Physics)

贝内特博士的研究项目涉及两个截然不同的领域：光纤中的非线性光学和聚合物薄膜的光学特性。在第一个项目中，将研究产生二次谐波（SHG）的光纤的性质。特别是，她将获得一个内置电场沿光纤长度的空间分辨图。预计，表面电荷的影响将必须非常仔细地控制和分析。第二个项目涉及开发干涉测量技术，以实时和原位测量聚合物薄膜的热诱导变化。具体来说，Bennett博士将区分热膨胀和折射率变化对薄膜光学厚度变化的单独贡献，因为其环境中的温度和/或相对湿度发生了变化。Bennett博士在表面特性和薄膜特性的测量方面拥有丰富的经验。在主办机构的互动活动包括：通过在芒特霍利奥克学院教授物理实验室，与马萨诸塞州西部五所学院的物理学女性进行互动，在冬季学期教授表面表征的短期课程，并在所有五所学院讲授班尼特博士专业领域学生感兴趣的主题。她还计划更新光学实验室的实验，并为芒特霍利奥克学院的高级光学实验室开发新的实验。该项目进一步推进了VPW计划的目标，即(1)为女性提供在工程和NSF支持的科学学科中发展职业的机会；(2)通过为行业、政府和学术机构的女性科学家和工程师提供更大的知名度，鼓励女性追求科学和工程方面的职业。通过鼓励妇女参与科学，这是对国家未来科学活力的宝贵投资。

Dr. Bennett's research project involves two distinct area: nonlinear optics in optical fibers and optical properties of thin polymer films. In the first project, the nature of fibers which have been conditioned to produce second harmonic generation (SHG) will be investigated. In particular, she will obtain a spatially- resolved map of the built-in electric field along the length of fibers conditioned for SHG. It is expected that the effects of surface charges will have to be very carefully controlled and analyzed. The second project involves developing interferometric techniques to measure thermally-induced changes in thin polymer films, both in real time and in situ. Specifically, Dr. Bennett will distinguish between the separate contributions of thermal expansion and refractive index change to the variation in optical thickness of thin films as the temperature and/or relative humidity in their environment changes. Dr. Bennett has had extensive experience in the measurement of surface characteristics and thin film properties. Interactive activities at the host institution include: interacting with women in physics at the five colleges in western Massachusetts by teaching a Physics Laboratory at Mount Holyoke College, teaching a short course on surface characterization during the winter quarter, and lecturing at all five colleges on topics of interest to students in Dr. Bennett's areas of expertise. She also plans to update the experiments in the optics laboratory and develop new experiments for an advanced optics laboratory at Mount Holyoke College. This project furthers VPW program objectives which are (1) to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers in engineering and in the disciplines of science supported by NSF and (2) to encourage women to pursue careers in science and engineering by providing greater visibility for women scientists and engineers employed in industry government, and academic institutions. By encouraging the participation of women in science, it is a valuable investment in the Nation's future scientific vitality.