Physics Department Facilities
In addition to elementary physics laboratories, the Physics Department is equipped with
modern facilities for teaching and research. In the following, a brief description of
these facilities is given.
[Classical/Modern
Physics Laboratory | Computing Facilities |
Electronics Laboratory | Laser/Optics
Laboratory | Nuclear Physics
Laboratory | Planetarium | Other Facilities ]
Classical and Modern Physics Laboratory: This lab houses
equipment that allows students to explore concepts in classical and modern physics and to
develop experimental expertise. Experiments performed in this lab cover a diverse array of
the major topics of physics, including many topics that resulted in Nobel Prizes. Students
learn how to correctly manipulate experimental data and how to interface computers with
experiments. Available equipment includes a digital storage oscilloscope, computerized
data acquisition, and the specific equipment needed for over 20 different experiments.
This lab space can also be used for special research experiments. Students wishing to
pursue a specific topic in more detail, or a topic not usually covered in the laboratory
courses, should contact Dr. Sohl at jsohl@weber.edu.
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Computer Facilities: There are a variety of computers available for Physics
majors, ranging from WSU's mainframe Compaq Server Cluster to personal PCs and
Macs for both theoretical work and data acquisition and analysis in lower- and
upper-division laboratories . The Department offers courses in "Scientific
Programming in C++ and Fortran" (PHSX
2300) and "Computational Physics" (PHSX
3300)
that introduce students to the computer languages and numerical techniques used in the modeling of real physical systems.
Computer applications are also an integral part of many physics courses and labs. Both
students and faculty make frequent use of numerical methods in their research, such as in particle physics (elementary particles,
electron-positron collisions) and astrophysics
(pulsating stars, space physics).
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Electronics
Laboratory: PHSX 3410 and 3420, Electronics I and Electronics
II, are accompanied by a laboratory with extensive electronic instrumentation.
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Laser/Optics Laboratory: Weber State has one of the finest
undergraduate-only laser laboratories in the Intermountain West. This lab is thoroughly
outfitted for experiments in introductory and advanced modern optics and laser physics.
The primary use of this lab is for the Applied Optics class (PHSX 3190). Students obtain detailed
practical experience in modern optics through a set of 10 experiments ranging from simple
lenses to holography. Additional prepared experiments exploring advanced topics are also
available.
Special research projects (PHSX
4800) can be done in nonlinear optics, laser design, advanced holography, laser
spectroscopy, atomic physics, and photonics (the combination of optics and electronics),
just to name a few. Any student interested in such research should contact Dr. Sohl at jsohl@weber.edu
for more information.
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Nuclear Physics Lab:
One of the advanced laboratory facilities in the Physics Department is the
Nuclear Physics Laboratory. This facility has instrumentation for detection of
all types of radiation emitted by radioactive materials--alpha, beta, gamma, and
neutrons. General-purpose counting is done with Geiger counters and NaI(Tl)
scintillation counters. The heart of the laboratory is a high-resolution gamma
spectrometer, using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Charged-particle
detection is provided with silicon surface-barrier detectors (SSBDs). These are
used to detect alpha and beta particles. Neutrons are detected with a
neutron-sensitive survey-type meter, and with helium-3 neutron tubes.
Short-lived radioisotopes for half-life studies are produced with a 2-Curie
Pu(Be) neutron source owned by the department.
The Advanced Physics Lab course, PHSX
3640, introduces students to most of these different types of radiation,
detectors, and electronics through a series of experiments. Other activities
using the nuclear lab facilities are available as student projects for PHSX
4800 or 4990. Students
interested in more information about the nuclear physics laboratory should
contact Dr.Jefferey at rjeffery@weber.edu.
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Planetarium:
The Ott Planetarium at Weber State
University is used primarily as an instructional resource for the astronomy course (PHSX
PS1030). Additionally, this facility
provides educational opportunities for the general public. Physics majors have the
opportunity to run programs for both the local school systems and for Wednesday evening
public shows. The planetarium outreach program directly reaches more than 10,000 people
each year. If you are interested in more information about the planetarium, contact the
planetarium director, Dr. Sohl at jsohl@weber.edu or visit the Ott Planetarium home page.
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Other Facilities:
The Department also has numerous other facilities available for courses and student and
faculty research.
Majors and minors enjoy the opportunity to meet together in an area reserved
for studying physics. The room is just down the hall from the faculty
offices, providing convenient access to course instructors.
A newly remodeled multimedia lecture room (complete with a
state-of-the-art computer projection system) provides an excellent environment for
upper-division courses. Here Dr. Ostlie is discussing quantum-mechanical tunneling through
a Coulomb barrier as it applies to nuclear fusion reactions in the Sun and other stars.
Lower-division lecture courses are held in the Lind Lecture Hall, including PHSX PS1010, PHSX PS2010/2020, PHSX PS2210/2220. The 105-seat physics lecture
room is very well-equipped with an outstanding array of lecture demonstrations, along with
a state-of-the-art computer and multimedia projection system.
Here, Dr. Galli is demonstrating his "mechanical cat," capable of executing a
torque-free twist. The Ott
Planetarium (also in the Lind Lecture Hall) is home to the many sections of our
introductory astronomy course (PHSX
PS1030).
The lower-division laboratories are highly integrated with computers
and data-acquisition equipment. This provides introductory students with the
opportunity to investigate fundamental physical ideas using the latest technology.
An Instructional Scanning Tunneling Microscope is available for
upper-division student research. The Department also has an Atomic
Force Microscope that is available for student research with faculty.
Lenord Neilson, Laboratory Manager
The Department also has a machine shop which is used for developing
laboratory and research equipment.
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Classical and Modern Physics Laboratory: This lab houses
equipment that allows students to explore concepts in classical and modern physics and to
develop experimental expertise. Experiments performed in this lab cover a diverse array of
the major topics of physics, including many topics that resulted in Nobel Prizes. Students
learn how to correctly manipulate experimental data and how to interface computers with
experiments. Available equipment includes a digital storage oscilloscope, computerized
data acquisition, and the specific equipment needed for over 20 different experiments.
This lab space can also be used for special research experiments. Students wishing to
pursue a specific topic in more detail, or a topic not usually covered in the laboratory
courses, should contact Dr. Sohl at jsohl@weber.edu.
