CP Fall 2015

Overview and Goals
We began this semester aiming to finish fusing, bending, and testing the fiber bundles for the Tagger Microscope before shipping the fibers to Jefferson National Laboratory for installation in Spring 2016. Over the course of the semester, we accomplished much, but we have bending and testing to do before the fibers are ready for use. Additionally, a recent setback requires additional fusing to form a complete set.

Google Docs Log Book
CP Research Log Book

Early Semester
Fall 2015 was my first semester collaborating with the GlueX group and I had the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of research duties. From September through mid October, my duties were mostly administrative, under the guidance of James McIntyre. He taught me the layout of the laboratory and the protocol necessary for keeping the lab clean. James also had me communicating to the other undergraduates regarding research assignments. In that time period, all the undergraduates completed their EH&S training and their online Ethics course. I successfully installed LabView after some troubleshooting. The undergraduates all worked to clean the lab and order necessary supplies. James and I met two or more hours per week to discuss goals, priorities, and man-hour estimations.

After mid-October, my role in the lab became more exploratory. I have tried to continue with the foundation James laid, but now under Dr. Jones's direct supervision. While James continues to work on the priorities identified in September, I have been developing insight into handling the light guides and expanding my research skill set. My experiences are documented below.

October 15, 2015 through October 31, 2015

 * installed lab view
 * anticipated the collaboration meeting
 * researched potential ways to hold the fibers while bundling

November 1, 2015 through November 15, 2015

 * learned how to use the microscope to examine the fibers. Struggling to get clear pics using the cannon powershot.  used paint to sketch what I saw.
 * found a great product for holding the fibers. Edwards Lifesciences Fogarty Spring Clip CSOFT6 contacted manufacturer and coordinating a shipment of samples.
 * issue with key fob fixed by Dave Perry
 * Explored LabView VI for heating cycle with Andrew Sampino. showed me basic structure of the VI and answered many of my questions.
 * Aaron Khan introduced me to some basics of fusing and we dissected a small segment of light guide to see the cladding.
 * Examined lint free cloths under microscope to see if cloth fibers are deposited on light guides when using the cloth. I observed a transfer of fibers and I intend to continue this examination on new, clean fiber with a dampened lint free cloth (to minimize static).

November 15, 2015 through November 30, 2015

 * Andrew explained to me the thermal characteristics of the bending unit. Some areas become hot spots and the fans are installed to remediate that.  However, there is still a warmer area near the back.  So far, this is not a problem.


 * I took high resolution pictures of the fibers. Several very clear shots of the fusing joint.  Dr. Jones explained the structure of the fiber in detail during our weekly meeting, referencing the photos.  Noticing that the damage seems to go lengthwise along the fiber.


 * Aaron helping me with imaging. we compared new light guide (polished ends) to the old fibers.  We also looked at the finished fibers.  We were concerned that the finished fibers lost light similarly to the old fibers, and that the new fibers quickly started leaking light after being handled for a short period of time.  I could not get an adequate image of the fibers using the camera.

December 1, 2015 through December 15, 2015
My research was put on hold due to sickness before and after Thanksgiving break. I will extend my research commitment into finals week, and into winter break as necessary. I want to compensate for some lost time and to support my own continuity of focus on this project.

December 15, 2015, through December 31, 2015
To improve my understanding of photography-- specifically, low-light macro photography-- I watched a beginner’s level tutorial here: Jerald Hill teaches Photography: Ditch Auto and Start Shooting in Manual

I brought a Nikon DSLR to the dark room and photographed scrap fiber segments. I took pictures both in bright light and in the dark with only the laser. I believe many shots of the fibers were very good, however I have not been able to view them on a large screen. I could really see where light was spilling due to dirt or fissures. Using a tripod helped stabilize my camera and the macro lens allowed me to get rather close to the details. I do wish I could have focused even closer, but perhaps with more practice I will get even more detailed images.

Unfortunately, the only fibers I shot were the used fibers. Their damage is relevant, as much of it stems from handling before JLAB installation. However, since they have been treated as scraps, it is impossible to determine what damage was done in production versus ostensibly rougher handling after they were scrapped.

Helpful Resources
Beginner’s level photography tutorial here: Jerald Hill teaches Photography: Ditch Auto and Start Shooting in Manual

MIT Open Courseware Fiberoptics lecture here: Fiberoptics Fundamentals (1 hr)

Inspirational Science Photography: Images of Discovery

Science Photography: Visual Strategies: A Practical Guide by Felice Frankel

Fogarty Softjaw parallel jaw spring clip: Edwards Lifesciences