Changes

== Abstract ==

== Abstract ==

All atoms are made up of protons and neutrons, which are in turn comprised of quarks.  The particles “gluing” the quarks together are known as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluons gluons].  The interaction of quarks and gluons is still not entirely understood, specifically how they are confined in the nucleus such that lone quarks are never seen.  The nuclear physics group at the University of Connecticut is part of the GlueX Experiment, which hopes to probe directly the gluon bond and understand its mechanical properties.  The probe used by GlueX is a high energy (small wavelength), polarized photon (particle of light) generated by a technique known as coherent bremsstrahlung .  This technique involves radiation of photons as a high energy electron beam passes through a carefully oriented diamond wafer.  Because of the potential for contamination, it is necessary to suspend the diamond wafer rather than mount on a ridged mount.  The diamond is currently suspended on  thin tungsten wires.  Proper orientation ensures a high degree of polarization, which requires stable mounting of the diamond.  The goal of my research is to investigate the mechanical properties of the mount and eliminate the possibility of vibration of the crystal.

All atoms are made up of protons and neutrons, which are in turn comprised of quarks.  The particles “gluing” the quarks together are known as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluons gluons].  The interaction of quarks and gluons is still not entirely understood, specifically how they are confined in the nucleus such that lone quarks are never seen.  The nuclear physics group at the University of Connecticut is part of the [http://dustbunny.physics.indiana.edu/HallD/GlueX/Home.html GlueX Experiment], which hopes to probe directly the gluon bond and understand its mechanical properties.  The probe used by GlueX is a high energy (small wavelength), polarized photon (particle of light) generated by a technique known as coherent bremsstrahlung .  This technique involves radiation of photons as a high energy electron beam passes through a carefully oriented diamond wafer.  Because of the potential for contamination, it is necessary to suspend the diamond wafer rather than mount on a ridged mount.  The diamond is currently suspended on  thin tungsten wires.  Proper orientation ensures a high degree of polarization, which requires stable mounting of the diamond.  The goal of my research is to investigate the mechanical properties of the mount and eliminate the possibility of vibration of the crystal.

The pupose of this page is to describe the work being done on the development of a system to analyze these vibrations.  Two different techniques will be used to determine the amplitude and frequency of these vibrations.  First, a direct imaging technique will be used.  A Michelson interferometer will also be constructed, and will be used in not only the vibrational research, but also in the analysis of the diamond surface structure.

The pupose of this page is to describe the work being done on the development of a system to analyze these vibrations.  Two different techniques will be used to determine the amplitude and frequency of these vibrations.  First, a direct imaging technique will be used.  A Michelson interferometer will also be constructed, and will be used in not only the vibrational research, but also in the analysis of the diamond surface structure.