Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Optical Relaxation Of Defects In Kapton Caused By Irradiation, Ashlan Keeler Swainston

Physics Capstone Projects

Radiation can create atomic-scale defect states in polymers, leading to changes in their optical, electrical and mechanical properties. Recent studies of polymers have shown that these defect states are sensitive to oxygen or air exposure. It is believed that air cause the number of defect states to decrease and the polymers to revert to their original states. However, the time scale of this regression is not known. This experiment quantified the time that it takes one polymer to recover and the extent of said recovery; polymide (PI). In order to study the regression, optical transmission data were taken using a …

Understanding Noether’S Theorem By Visualizing The Lagrangian, Seth Moser

Physics Capstone Projects

By approaching Lagrangian mechanics from a graphical perspective the implications of Noether’s Theorem can be made easier to understand. Plotting the Lagrangian for classical single particle systems for one coordinate onto a position-velocity phase space along with the corresponding equations of motion can demonstrate how a system is invariant under continuous transforms in that coordinate. This invariance can be shown to be associated with a quantity in the system that’s conserved via Noether’s Theorem. The relationship between the symmetry of the system and conserved quantities can then be extended to fields. Invariance in this case is extended to include invariance …

Determing The Chaotic Nature Of Periodic Orbits, Bo Johnson

Physics Capstone Projects

The determination of the long-term behavior of periodic orbits is considered. Different numerical techniques, including the Lyapunov Exponent, the Smaller Alignment Index, and the Generalized Alignment Index are used. Because of the discontinuous nature of the system under consideration, these methods are found to be insufficient and a more simplistic approach is utilized. The simplistic approach determines long-term behavior up to 500 periods of an orbit. It is found that in-phase periodic modes result in the largest amount of stable modes. Future work will look at the common characteristics of the in-phase modes to better understand why they are more …

Giving Students A Better Understanding Of The Concepts Behind The Coriolis Force, Ridge Cole

Physics Capstone Projects

The Coriolis force is a physical phenomenon that has proven difficult for students to understand for centuries. While the mathematical approach to teaching this phenomenon is well known and outlined, the concepts behind this force have proven to be very elusive to students. Through the use of modern technology and new ways of presenting these concepts, we hope to give students a clear understanding of the Coriolis force in the future.

Relaxation Of Radiation Effects In Polymers, Alexandra Hughlett Nelson

Physics Capstone Projects

Radiation can create atomic-scale defect states in polymers, leading to changes in their optical, electrical and mechanical properties. Recent studies of polymers have shown that these defect states are sensitive to oxygen or water exposure. It is believed that oxygen cause the number of defect states to decrease and the polymers to revert to their original states. However, the time scale of this regression is not known. This experiment quantified the time that it takes five polymers to recover and the extent of said recovery; polypropylene (PP), low density polyethylene (LDPE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polymide (PI), and poly ether …

Decomposing The Hamiltonian Of Quantum Circuits Using Machine Learning, Jordan Burns, Yih Sung, Colby Wight

Physics Capstone Projects

Quantum computing is one of the most promising techniques for simulating physical systems that cannot be simulated on classical computers[1]. A significant drawback of this approach is the inherent difficulty in designing circuits that can represent these systems on quantum computers. Every quantum circuit is built out of small components called quantum gates. Each of these gates manipulate the quantum system in a specific way. When used in combination, a finite subset of these gates, the set of universal gates, can be used to construct any possible quantum circuit[2].

Yang-Mills Sources For Biconformal Gravity, Walter Davis Muhwezi

Physics Capstone Projects

We present a gauge formulation of Yang-Mills matter sources for Biconformal gravity. Biconformal gravity is a 2n-dimensional conformal gauge theory with a curvature linear action that has been shown to reproduce scale invariant general relativity on the cotangent bundle of n-dimensional space time. We present a generalization of Yang-Mills theories in biconformal space and show that the field equations with sources reduce the Yang-Mills sector to n-dimensional Yang-Mills theory in curved spacetime. We compute the restrictive conditions on the energy-momentum tensor required by the gravitational field equations.

Monitoring Ambient Laboratory Conditions With A Raspberry Pi, Joshua Boman

Physics Capstone Projects

Precise experimental devices and measurements can be sensitive to changing physical conditions in the lab. The purpose of this research was to develop a standardized computer automated package to monitor and record changes in laboratory conditions, including ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, light intensity, motion, and power outages. The computer-interfaced device was based around an inexpensive Raspberry Pi microcomputer and commercially available sensors. The Raspberry Pi uploads the sensor data to a file used by LabVIEW to further analyze, plot and display the calibrated sensor data in real time and trigger alarms. This capability allows the Material Physics Research …

Octonionic Maxwell Equations, Ben Shaw

Physics Capstone Projects

An introduction to Quaternions and Octonions is given, and the Maxwell Equations are formulated in terms of each. The conventional, source-free relativistic theory of eight dimensional electromagnetism is introduced and examined. Similarly, the source-free Octonionic Maxwell Equations are developed, and it is shown that the seven dimensional electric and magnetic fields–pure Octonions–each admit plane wave solutions. An Octonionic Faraday tensor is constructed and compared with the conventional Faraday tensor, and it is shown that, in the source-free case, the conventional and Octonionic theories are equivalent.

The Effects Of Beta Radiation On The Electrostatic Discharge Of Ldpe, Kip Quilter

Physics Capstone Projects

Spacecraft charging is one of the leading causes of space environment induced anomalies [1]. Spacecraft charging occurs when an electric charge builds up on a spacecraft; one way for the charge to accumulate is from natural space plasma [1]. The charge can lead to many different problems, including electrostatic discharge (ESD). Insulating materials such as highly disordered polymers do not allow charge to move freely; this can result in areas of localized charge to build up creating differing electric potentials [2]. Once the difference in potentials is great enough, electrostatic discharge occurs causing irreversible damages to the insulating polymers.

ESD …

Porting Symbolic Libraries From Maple To Python, James Lewis

Physics Capstone Projects

Utah State University has a database of tables of the known solutions of the Einstein Field Equation. This database is primarily recorded in the symbolic computing program Maple. This database needs to be translated into Python code so the information can be more accessible to the general public. This translation was successful for one table, which means that it is possible to translate the entire database.

Thermodynamic Properties Of Black Holes, Geoffrey Schulthess

Physics Capstone Projects

Black Holes are some of the most mysterious objects in the known universe. In 1975, Stephen Hawking stated that Black Holes can behave as thermodynamical objects with a finite mass, spin, angular velocity, temperature, and entropy. This has been one of the most fascinating yet perplexing breakthroughs in our understanding of these strongly gravitating objects. In this context, the purpose of this research was to use Wolfram Mathematica to create a program that would calculate the thermodynamic properties of a black hole, given a certain metric.

Physics 4900, David Maughan

Physics Capstone Projects

More than a century has passed since Albert Einstein published his general theory of relativity. The theory has been tested many times experimentally, primarily in the relatively weak gravitational fields of the solar system [1,2]. More recently the first experimental results from the strong gravitational fields of two black holes have been measured in the form of gravitational waves, which are another prediction of general relativity. The 2017 Nobel prize in physics was awarded to Kip Thorne, Rainer Weiss, and Barry Barish for their role in the detection of gravitational waves. This year we have seen the first image of …

Mathematica Program To Compute Klein Gordon Equation For Generic Black Holes, Brant Smith

Physics Capstone Projects

The goal of this project is to develop a program that will compute the Klein Gordon equation for generic Black Holes through the program Mathematica. This program will be available on Utah State websites for public usage. This project focuses on an understanding of General Relativity and more concretely on theoretical aspects of Black Holes. Developing the program begins with computing the Laplace equation in flat space to understand what it means to have empty space without a Black Hole. The Klein Gordon equation for a Schwarzschild Black Hole is then solved to show what happens once a static, non-rotating …

Thermal Oxidation Of Silicon In A Home-Made Furnace System, Joshua Koskan

Physics Capstone Projects

I approached Dr. Shen with a desire for a project in understanding how to manage and expand the capabilities of a laboratory. After some discussion, my senior project was to complete a gas and water chiller system to an existing furnace for chemical vapor deposition. It should be able to handle temperatures up to 1100 ºC, hold a vacuum to mTorr, be easy to move samples in and out of the furnace, and cost effective.

Investigation Of An Unusual Thin Layer Descending Through The Upper Stratosphere, Houston D. Bentley

Physics Capstone Projects

Lidar observations on the night of 19-20 February 2004 at Logan, Utah (41.74 N, 111.81 W) revealed a strange thin layer which descended from roughly 55 km to 30 km over seven hours. Approximations are made for the dimensions and descent rate of the layer. Although the particle radius and density are unknown, a range can be determined from the descent rate and reference to the sizes of known particles. Several possible sources for the layer are explored, concluding that an object entering the Earth’s atmosphere was the most probable cause.

Impact Of Bubble Baths On Stainless Steel Sphere Water Entry, Wesley Robinson

Physics Capstone Projects

Soap Bubbles on the water surface would seem to be an intuitive means for splash suppression, but their presence appears to be a double edged sword. We present on the water entry of hydrophilic spheres where the liquid surface is augmented by the presence of a bubble layer, similar to a bubble bath. While the presence of a bubble layer can diminish splashing upon impact at low Weber numbers, it also induces cavity formation at speeds below the critical velocity. The formation of a cavity generally results in larger Worthington jets and thus, larger amounts of ejected liquid. Bubble layers …

Mathematica Program To Compute Klein Gordon Equation For Generic Black Holes, Brant Smith

Physics Capstone Projects

The goal of this project is to develop a program that will compute the Klein Gordon equation for generic Black Holes through the program Mathematica. This program will be available on Utah State websites for public usage. This project focuses on an understanding of General Relativity and more concretely on theoretical aspects of Black Holes. Developing the program begins with computing the Laplace equation in flat space to understand what it means to have empty space without a Black Hole. The Klein Gordon equation for a Schwarzschild Black Hole is then solved to show what happens once a static, non-rotating …

Electron Yield Comparisons Of Low And High-Density Polyethylene, Jordan Lee

Physics Capstone Projects

With continued growth of the aerospace industry and further reliance on its communication infrastructure, a general idea of environmental stresses and material feedback is needed. Terrestrial-based labs attempt to recreate certain conditions seen in orbit and beyond, in order to gauge how materials and equipment will react. The Electron Emissions Test (EET) Chamber, an apparatus of USU's Material Physics Group, is used to test certain characteristics of materials in space-like environments. This experiment attempted to discern electron yield characteristics of two molecularly similar polymers: Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

Numerical Methods For Anisotropic Thermal Conduction, Brett Adair

Physics Capstone Projects

Understanding the transport of heat in magnetized plasmas is imperative to furthering efforts towards controlled thermonuclear fusion. This work analyzes various numerical algorithms that are useful in studying temperature equilibration due to anisotropic heat transport. The study includes two numerical approaches to the standard Braginskii closure, the more accurate using a mixed auxiliary scalar in the finite-element formulation. The physically correct kinetic closure for heat flow parallel to the magnetic field is also tested. These approaches were used to study the benchmark case for anisotropic thermal conduction presented in the original NIMROD [C.R. Sovinec et al. “Journal of Computational Physics” …

Phonon Dynamics Of Alkali Metals In The Hcp Lattice Structure, Jake Christensen

Physics Capstone Projects

An Embedded-Atom-Method model that is successful at describing the vibrational properties of alkali metals in the BCC crystal structure is applied to the HCP structure. Phonon dispersion curves, density of states, and Debye temperatures are calculalated for Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs. Comparison of BCC, FCC and HCP Debye temperatures show that BCC is the preferred structure at higher temperatures, which agrees with experiment.

Calculating Redshift Via Astronomical Spectroscopy, Joshua Glatt

Physics Capstone Projects

The Doppler effect is a well-known physical phenomenon which results in a change of a wave’s frequency or wavelength due to the motion of its source. Celestial objects in space (stars, galaxies, etc.) also experience a Doppler effect on their emitted electromagnetic radiation called redshift. In this study, redshifts were observed in the spectrographic observations of various celestial objects. This was done using a high-resolution near ultra-violet spectrometer in conjunction with a 14-inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The spectrometer was used to measure the absorption spectrum of the bodies and then these absorption spectrums were compared against the Hydrogen emission spectrum. …

The Effects Of The Beta Transition On Dielectric Breakdown In Ldpe, Tyler Kippen

Physics Capstone Projects

The beta transition is a solid-state transition that occurs as part of the glass transition in amorphous polymers. The transition occurs at a temperature where above which the polymer is soft and rubbery and below the transition temperature the polymer is hard and brittle. The glass transition is thought to be caused by the increasingly coordinated movements of polymer chains as the temperature of the polymer increases. Once the temperature reaches the glass transition temperature, large scale motions of polymer chains occurs and there is a dramatic change in properties. In LDPE the glass transition occurs in the region between …

Atmospheric Gravity Wave Events Over Antarctica, America Wrobel

Physics Capstone Projects

This study used infrared (IR) image data obtained from McMurdo Station, Antarctica to investigate the properties of atmospheric gravity waves as they propagate into the upper mesosphere over Antarctica. The data were obtained as part of the international Antarctic Gravity Wave Instrument Network (ANGWIN). ANGWIN utilizes image data from several sites around Antarctica to investigate continent-wide propagation. This paper covers a study that reduced and analyzed two years of data from one particular site: McMurdo Station. An all-sky IR camera placed at McMurdo Station, Antarctica (77°83’ S, 166°61’ E) took one picture every ten seconds for the months of April …

Sodium Lidar For Mesopause Temperature And Wind Studies, Xiaoqi Xi

Physics Capstone Projects

In 1990 Dr. Chiao-Yao She developed a narrowband Na Temperature lidar in Colorado State University (CSU), it immediately became an important instrument to measure the temperature in mesopause region (80-105 km in altitude): the atmospheric layer between mesosphere and thermosphere [Krueger et al., 2015]. Led by Dr. Tao Yuan, this system was relocated to Utah State University (USU) in summer 2010 and has been continuing its exploration of upper atmosphere. This report will give a brief introduction to the theory and application of Sodium Lidar.

Characterization Of Programmable Arduino Sensors, Brett Mortenson

Physics Capstone Projects

Arduinos are increasing in usage and prevalence due to the ease in which they can be programmed. External sensors attached to the Arduinos are being used for various measurements, and many of them give raw data output such as voltage spikes or decibel readings. These readings were characterized so that one can interpret the readings relatively easily, and understand more completely, the environment which the sensors are in. The sensors utilized are as follows: photoresistor, vibrational, sound, temperature, pressure, and humidity.

Gravity Waves Over Antarctica, Vanessa Chambers

Physics Capstone Projects

As part of the international Antarctic Gravity Wave Instrument Network (ANGWIN) program, the Utah State University all sky IR imager has been operated at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Halley Station (75°36′ S, 26°12′ W) since 2012, obtaining valuable gravity wave information in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere region (~80 to 100 km). In this study, we have utilized a new 3D spectral analysis technique (Matsuda, et al., 2014) to quantify the horizontal phase velocity distributions of gravity waves over Antarctica. This new tool enables us to analyze extensive amounts of airglow imaging data in a relatively short time …

Solar Observatory: Shedding Light On The Surface Of The Sun, Zane F. Davis

Physics Capstone Projects

The Solar Observatory was used to observe the photosphere of the sun. The main focus to observer the photosphere are the sunspots and prominences that develop on the surface. These phenomenon can lead to Coronal Mass Ejections (CME’s). After taking pictures and analyzing them, there was only one day that had any activity on the photosphere. It was concluded that the sun is at it’s solar minima. This means that there is little to zero activity on the suns photosphere. With this, and more data over an extended period of time, it is possible to calculate a solar cycle.

D-Region Vlf Monitoring System, Jonh Carlos Mojica Decena

Physics Capstone Projects

The use of VLF signals to monitor the changes that occur in the ionosphere resulting from solar variability, has helped to understand how different ionospheric layers depend upon the Sun. These different ionospheric layer responses play a significant role in determining space weather impacts. Our system was created to be a permanent monitor to study the effects on the D-region of the ionosphere and explore any major impacts due to sun radiation exposure. The use of inexpensive equipment proved to be effective and the key point in the creation of this system.

An Investigation Of The Alkali Metals In The Fcc Structure Using An Embedded-Atom-Method (Eam) Model, Marcus Jackman

Physics Capstone Projects

Embedded-atom-method models have been used in the calculation and prediction of many vibrational and thermal properties of materials. In 2012 Wilson and Riffe constructed a model that predicts dispersion relations and frequency-moment Debye temperatures of the alkali metals with a greater degree of accuracy than previous models. The Wilson-Riffe model was implemented using MATLAB code. Here that model is extended to model alkali metals in the close-packed fcc structure. Code development is discussed, and results are presented for dispersion relations, density of states, Debye temperatures and free energy. The vibrational free energy combined with a suitable constant representing the electronic …