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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Majorana Quasiparticles In Topological Material Interfaces, David Alspaugh
Majorana Quasiparticles In Topological Material Interfaces, David Alspaugh
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
In this dissertation we analyze how Majorana quasiparticles found on material interfaces of both topological insulators (TIs) and topological superconductors (TSCs) are affected by imperfections within their local environment. While these quasiparticles are predicted to be critical for the construction of quantum computers, they are typically modeled only under pristine conditions. Thus, although quantum computers may require the spatial manipulation of Majorana quasiparticles, these topological material interfaces are commonly studied in static contexts and their response to manipulation remains an open question. We first demonstrate that interface potentials on the topological insulator Bi2Se3 can enable the emergence …
The Effects Of Modeling Instruction In A High School Physics Classroom, Mark E. Arseneault
The Effects Of Modeling Instruction In A High School Physics Classroom, Mark E. Arseneault
LSU Master's Theses
The purpose of this research was to study my effectiveness as a high school physics teacher using a traditional approach to instruction compared to a Modeling approach. The study was conducted at a high school near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Both groups consisted of 1 section of honors physics and 1 section of regular physics each. Conceptual understanding and problems solving gains were measured using pre/post Force Concept Inventory (FCI) and the Mechanics Baseline Test (MBT) results, respectively. Students’ level of science reasoning was also measured at the beginning of the school year only, using the Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning …
Study Of ¹⁸Ne Using The Array For Nuclear Astrophysics And Structure With Exotic Nuclei, Laura Pratt
Study Of ¹⁸Ne Using The Array For Nuclear Astrophysics And Structure With Exotic Nuclei, Laura Pratt
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Reactions involving radioactive nuclei play an important role in stellar explosions, but limited experimental information is available due to difficulties in producing and studying radioactive nuclei. Several facilities aim to provide greater access to these unstable isotopes at higher intensities, but more efficient and selective techniques and devices are required to be able to study many important reactions. The Array for Nuclear Astrophysics and Structure with Exotic Nuclei (ANASEN), a charged particle detector designed by Louisiana State University (LSU) and Florida State University (FSU), was created for this purpose. ANASEN is used to study the reactions important for the αp- …
The Effects Of Peer Instruction On Ninth Grade Students' Conceptual Understanding Of Forces And Motion, Nicole Congine Harvey
The Effects Of Peer Instruction On Ninth Grade Students' Conceptual Understanding Of Forces And Motion, Nicole Congine Harvey
LSU Master's Theses
Because students are often taught physics in a traditional, lecture-based classroom, the present study was undertaken to test whether the use of peer instruction, specifically concept questions embedded within a PowerPoint that allows for students to interact throughout the lecture, affects learner outcomes in a classroom setting. The outcomes from classes taught using peer instruction were compared to classes taught with traditional, lecture-based teaching strategies. Students in five different sections of a 9th grade Physical Science class were given pre-tests and post-tests to determine their learning gains on the topics of motion and forces. In the first unit of instruction, …
Spatial Ability And Achievement In High School Physics, Michael Shawn Liner
Spatial Ability And Achievement In High School Physics, Michael Shawn Liner
LSU Master's Theses
This study investigates the relationship between a student’s spatial abilities and their success in high school physics. First, I investigate whether the success of students in high school physics class correlates with their spatial abilities before taking the class. Second, I investigate whether taking high school physics has an effect on student’s spatial abilities. No direct intervention was given to any of the students. Three instruments were administered to determine the student’s spatial abilities, The Perspective Taking/Spatial Orientation Test (Hegarty & Waller, 2004), The Mental Rotation Test (Peters & Laeng, 1995), and The Paper Folding Test (Ekstrom, French, Harmon, & …
Advances In Quantum Optical Metrology And The Establishment Of An Invisible Quantum Tripwire, Steven Blane Mccracken
Advances In Quantum Optical Metrology And The Establishment Of An Invisible Quantum Tripwire, Steven Blane Mccracken
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
This thesis presents a summary of the foundation and background of the field of quantum optics, and an analysis of some recent discoveries in various fields of which I have aided in furthering investigative research and advancement through publications. Such topics include numerical optimization of generalized quantum states used in phase sensitive quantum metrology, an analysis of object detection through the use of quantum interferometry in the presence of lossy conditions, and the use of the latter technique to propose an invisible quantum tripwire. First is a collaborative effort to numerically optimize quantum optical states for quantum metrological applications. We …
Testing And Improving The Luminosity Relations For Gamma-Ray Bursts, Andrew Collazzi
Testing And Improving The Luminosity Relations For Gamma-Ray Bursts, Andrew Collazzi
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) have several luminosity relations where a measurable property of a burst light curve or spectrum is correlated with the burst luminosity. These luminosity relations are calibrated for the fraction of bursts with spectroscopic redshifts and hence the known luminosities. GRBs have thus become known as a type of "standard candle"; where standard candle is meant in the usual sense that their luminosities can be derived from measurable properties of the bursts. GRBs can therefore be used for the same cosmology applications as Type Ia supernovae, including the construction of the Hubble Diagram and measuring massive star …
Misconceptions On Force And Gravity Among High School Students, Jane Ragasa Pablico
Misconceptions On Force And Gravity Among High School Students, Jane Ragasa Pablico
LSU Master's Theses
The goal of this study is to determine prevalent or dominant misconceptions on force and gravity among high school students. A survey instrument consisting of 12 qualitative questions requiring both answers and written explanations was used to gather students’ ideas and beliefs in situations involving force and gravity. Furthermore, it examined whether the proportion of students having misconceptions per question are correlated with gender and the type of school Physics background. The results show that the respondents have misconceptions that are similar to the misconceptions found in previous research. The number of misconceptions and the proportion of students having misconceptions …
Quantum Optical Improvements In Metrology, Sensing, And Lithography, Sean Ducharme Huver
Quantum Optical Improvements In Metrology, Sensing, And Lithography, Sean Ducharme Huver
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
In this dissertation we begin with a brief introduction of quantum mechanics, its impact on technology in the 20th century, and the likely impact quantum optics will have on the next generation of technology. The following chapters display research performed in many of these next generation areas. In Chapter 2 we describe work performed in the area of designing quantum optical logic gates for use in quantum computing. In Chapter 3 we discuss findings made in regards to using quantum states of light for remote sensing and imaging. We move on to Fabry-Perot interferometers in Chapter 4 and show discoveries …
Using Power Spectra To Look For Anisotropies In Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray Distributions, Megan Alicia Mcewen
Using Power Spectra To Look For Anisotropies In Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray Distributions, Megan Alicia Mcewen
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The origins and compositions of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR) remains a mystery to this day. The Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO) is being constructed now in the hopes that it will help solve this mystery by detecting more UHECR than any previous experiment. In this dissertation, I will discuss this experiment, and analyze the data collected so far by comparing it with simulated data from possible source distributions. In these simulations, I will track antiprotons, along with other possible cosmic ray primaries, through various models of galactic and extragalactic magnetic fields. Once they reach a certain distance, I will record …