A Modern Optics Laboratory at Gustavus Adolphus College

9451784 Saulnier这个项目完成了古斯塔夫斯·阿道夫学院物理专业实验室部分升级和加强的四步计划的最后阶段。该项目解决了物理系光学课程中的一个严重缺陷。该项目将开设一门现代光学实验课，并完成新建成的教学实验室的配备。该项目的目的是通过开设一门以实验室为基础的课程，以现代光学设备和技术为中心，教授信号检测和处理，从而改进物理课程。该项目意义重大，因为它为改进物理课程和利用系中新教师的兴趣、承诺和专业知识的有目的的计划提供了重要的下一步。该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话题来鼓励他们继续研究生学习。将利用为该项目提供的设备进行各种实验，这些设备主要包括光学桌子和面包板、光子计数器和相关探测器、风冷Ar离子激光器、半导体激光头和控制器、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、相干背向散射、半导体激光表征、准弹性光散射和光电流光谱。该项目的影响也将在诸如生命科学物理、经典物理II和实验现代实验室等课程中感受到，以及在师生研究中感受到。PI致力于成功完成该项目，该部门在以前的NSF ILI赠款上有出色的记录。

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.