Frontiers In Undergraduate Research Poster Session

Matthew Demas

Abstract Draft 1

The goal of this study is to effectively map the surface of a synthetic diamond wafer that is to be used in the beam line at the GlueX experiment at Jefferson National Laboratory. The topology of the diamond surface is encoded within an interferogram produced by a Michelson interferometer. While most interferograms feature interactions by only two surfaces, our pattern is the result of the superposition of three waves. As a result of this additional wavefront, conventional techniques could not be utilized. Instead a simulated annealing program, which is a method used in general optimization problems, entitled ParSA was called upon. Currently, work is being done to ``tune`` the algorithm to best fit the problem at hand. Preliminary analyses on 50 pixel by 50 pixel test interferograms has provided promising results with solutions being reached within a 24 hour period. Future tests on larger intereferograms are being planned, with runs on the actual 400 pixel by 400 pixel interferogram as the final goal.

Abstract Draft 2

Diamonds are known for both their beauty and their durability. Jefferson National Lab in Newport News, VA has found a way to utilize the diamond's strength to view the beauty of the inside of the atomic nucleus with the hopes of finding exotic forms of matter. By firing very fast electrons at a diamond the width of a human hair, special high energy light is produced that can illuminate the constituents of the nucleus know as quarks. In a cooperative with the University of Connecticut, our group has been endowed with the job of crafting these extremely thin, high quality diamonds from larger samples that are about the size of a human finger. The thinning of these diamonds to thinner widths is extremely difficult, as the diamond's greatest strength also becomes its greatest weakness. To solve this problem, our group has decided to use laser interference techniques to map the diamond surface. The map of the diamond surface is encoded in a interference pattern. The main goal of this study is to gain a better understanding of these encoded pictures, so that the diamonds can be made thin enough to use at Jefferson Lab. Thus, by utilizing a material found to be beautiful by many, the beauty of nature can be brought more clearly into view.

Carl Nettleton

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to construct a Tagger Microscope for use in the GlueX project. Issues that are currently being addresses include; how to cleave and polish a two millimeter square acrylic optical fibers, how to then couple scintillators to acrylic waveguides, how to couple the scintillator waveguide pair to a SiPM (silicon photomultiplier). Optically clear two competent epoxies are being experimented with to couple the scintillators to the acrylic waveguides. Preliminary testing with optically clear epoxies show promising results, that is, epoxies are proving to be a reliable way to couple the fibers with minimal transmission loss. Designs for a device to couple the scintillator waveguide pair to the SiPMs, called a chimney, are being developed. The prototype chimney is expected to be completed used in further testing in the near future.