A Modern Optics Laboratory at Gustavus Adolphus College

该项目完成了四步计划的最后阶段，以升级和加强古斯塔夫斯阿道夫斯学院物理专业的实验室部分。该项目解决了物理系光学课程的严重不足。本项目将开设一门现代光学实验课程，并完成新建成的教学实验室的设备配置。该项目的目的是通过开设一门以现代光学器件和技术为中心的实验课程来改进物理课程。该项目意义重大，因为它为改进物理系的计划提供了重要的下一步，并利用了该系新教员的兴趣、承诺和专业知识。这个项目还有一个额外的好处，那就是通过让学生接触当代物理学话题，鼓励他们继续研究生学习。各种实验将使用为该项目提供的设备进行，其中包括，作为主要部分，光学表和面包板，光子计数器和相关探测器，风冷氩离子激光器，二极管激光头和控制器，声光调制器，以及数据采集和分析系统。将进行的实验包括“单光子”衍射、光纤通信、外差和马赫-曾德干涉测量、相干后向散射、二极管激光表征、准弹性光散射和光电光谱。该项目的影响也将体现在生命科学物理、经典物理II和实验现代实验室等课程以及师生研究中。PI致力于项目的成功完成，并且该部门在以前的NSF ILI资助中有出色的记录。

9451784 Saulnier This project completes the final phase in a four step plan to upgrade and enhance the laboratory component of the physics major at Gustavus Adolphus College. The project addresses a serious deficiency in the optics curriculum within the physics department. This project will establish a modern optics laboratory course and complete the equipping of a recently constructed teaching laboratory. The aim of the project is to improve the physics curriculum by initiating a laboratory-based course centered on modern optical devices and techniques, with signal detection and processing. The project is significant in that it provides an important next step in an intentional plan to improve the physics program and utilize the interests, commitment, and expertise of new faculty in the department. The project also has the added benefit of encouraging students to pursue graduate study by exposing them to contemporary topics in physics. A variety of experiments will be performed with equipment provided for this project, which include, as major pieces, an optical table and breadboards, a photon-counter and associated detector, an air-cooled Argon ion laser, diode laser heads and controllers, an acousto-optic modulator, and a data acquisition and analysis system. The experiments to be performed include "single photon" diffraction, optical fiber communication, heterodyne and Mach-Zender interferometry, coherent back scattering, diode laser characterization, quasi-elastic light scattering, and optogalvanic spectroscopy. The impact of the project will also be felt in courses such as Life Science Physics, Classical Physics II, and Experimental Modern Laboratory, as well as in faculty-student research. The PI is committed to the successful completion of the project and the department has an outstanding record on previous NSF ILI grants.