Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Irradiance Source For Exoplanet Atmospheric Spectra, Savannah Lyons

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The quantity and diversity of the known exoplanets have grown in recent years. This has brought about a need for more efficient methods of narrowing down the list to those exoplanets most likely to sustain life. The Atmosphere in a Test Tube project, which began at the University of Padova, Italy, is accomplishing this in a laboratory setting through examination of exoplanet atmospheric responses to photosynthetic bacteria under simulations of the irradiance conditions of a planet’s host star. The goal of this project was to design and construct a second-generation apparatus at Eastern Michigan University. The team focused on an …

Writing And Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Modern Physics Laboratory Manual, Brendan Jacob Pickard

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Undergraduate physics laboratory activities are the main way that students get to apply physics concepts and develop experimental skills. Consequently, the presentation of experimental techniques is exceedingly important, and a poorly constructed guide could hinder student success. I have created a lab manual for use in PHY 372 Modern Physics Laboratory at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). This lab manual helps students develop experimental skills valuable in their future careers in a variety of fields. I evaluated the teaching effectiveness of the lab manual using a survey at the end of the Fall 2017 semester, revised the lab manual, and evaluated …

Designing A Modified Zeeman Slower For The Paschen-Back Magnetic Regime, Leo Michael Nofs

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Controlled study of high-density plasmas, such as those found in fusion reactions and stars, is difficult due to their highly-magnetized environments. A specialized high magnetic field (High-B) trap was developed at the University of Michigan in Georg Raithel's research group to study such highly magnetized, high density plasmas using rubidium atoms. By replacing the atom source with a Zeeman slower, a well-studied device to slow and cool atoms, the atom flux could be increased by a factor more than 1000, leading to higher High-B plasma densities. The goal of this project is to design a Zeeman slower that differs from …

Examining The Response Of The Martian Atmosphere To Increases In Different Portions Of The Electromagnetic Spectrum During Solar Flares, Bradley R. Kumm

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This report describes the methods used to examine how the Martian atmosphere responds to increases in different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum during solar flares. On March 24, 2015 the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission satellite made measurements of the atmosphere and solar irradiance during a solar flare. These measurements were used by the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model (FISM) to generate solar flux values for 59 wavelength bins describing flare event. The solar flux values at different wavelength bins were scaled by different amounts and input into the Mars Global Ionosphere Thermosphere Model (M-GITM) to create 16 distinct …

Expectations And Experiences In A Modern Physics Laboratory Course, Helen Mae Cothrel

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study examines students’ expectations for and experiences within a modern physics laboratory course. The course instructor and several students were interviewed using a semi-structured protocol at the beginning (pre) and end (post) of the semester. Interviews were video-recorded, then transcribed to text. This thesis presents the results of three students’ interviews as case studies; their interview transcripts were adapted to a more narrative style for inclusion in this report. An interpretation of each student’s responses from pre- to post-interview is given, followed by conclusions which incorporate all three students’ interviews. Particular attention is paid to students’ ideas about experimenting …

Mechanically Driven Pendula For Instructional Laboratories, R. M. Pacheco

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

I present a new, low-cost approach to observing driven resonance with simple and physical pendula. I mount a pendulum on a dynamics cart that is made to oscillate along a horizontal line by a stepper motor and micro-controller. The pendulum pivot therefore has a position that varies sinusoidally with time with a constant, adjustable frequency. I designed and constructed the experiment to be easily implemented into any physics lab. I tested the apparatus and observed driven resonance for both types of pendula. All of the measured resonant frequencies I determined using the apparatus had percent uncertainties under 4% and all …

Construction Of An Optical Fiber Strian Gauge, Najwa Sulaiman

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This project is focused on the construction of an optical fiber strain gauge that is based on a strain gauge described by Butter and Hocker. Our gauge is designed to generate an interference pattern from the signals carried on two bare single-mode fibers that are fastened to an aluminum cantilever. When the cantilever experiences flexural stress, the interference pattern should change. By observing this change, it is possible to determine the strain experienced by the cantilever. I describe the design and construction of our optical fiber strain gauge as well as the characterization of different parts of the apparatus.

Charging And Discharging Of Lichtenberg Electrets, Monika Wood

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The research presented here describes a unique way to deposit a large amount of charge onto the surface of a thin dielectric sheet to create a Lichtenberg electret that can be discharged elsewhere to form spectacular Lichtenberg figures. This study examines how the amount of charge deposited onto the surface, the geometry of the probes, and the type of material used can all impact the formation of the Lichtenberg figures. Photographs of the Lichtenberg figures were taken and used to determine the voltage, current, and energy released during each discharge. It was found that a single discharge can release 0.49 …

A Multidimensional Characterization Of Muir Backscatter Spectra Resulting From Ionospheric Heating Experiments Performed At Haarp, Naseem Rayyan

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The results of several atmospheric heating experiments, which we performed at the HAARP facility, are presented. We sought to provide a multidimensional characterization of the various artificial ionospheric heating features by varying HF aspect angle, HF pump frequency, UHF pointing angle, and heating pulse time. Through the use of the HAARP HF array and the MUIR UHF radar, we observed cascade (LDI), collapse (cavitons), parametric decay lines (PDI), outshifted plasma lines (OPL), overshoot, and artificial field aligned irregularities (AFAI), as well as some features that have not been previously studied, for instance, the “bursty” plasma lines. Through a collaborative effort …

Simultaneous Multi-Angle Measurements Of Plasma Turblence At Haarp, Naomi Watanabe

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

We report the results from a recent series of experiments employing the HAARP HF transmitter to generate and study strong Langmuir turbulence (SLT) in the interaction region of overdense ionospheric plasma. Diagnostics included the Modular UHF Ionospheric Radar (MUIR) sited at HAARP, the Super DARN-Kodiak HF radar, and HF receivers to record stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE). Short pulse, low duty cycle experiments demonstrate control and suppression of artificial field-aligned irregularities (AFAI). This allows the isolation of ponderomotive plasma turbulence effects. For the first time, plasma line spectra measured simultaneously in different spots of the interaction region displayed marked but contemporaneous …

Characterization Of Mirco/Nano Mechanical And Tribological Properties Of Polymeric Coatings Deposited On Steel, Dustin Neill

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study aims to characterize the mechanical and tribological properties of three different polymeric coatings—polyurethane, 2K, and melamine—deposited on steel by analyzing the hardness, elastic modulus, and scratch resistance of each coating. This was accomplished by making indentation and scratch tests on each sample with a nano-indenter and analyzing the results with a Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM). Results of indentation tests show that melamine, with a hardness of 0.164 GPa and a modulus of 3.367 GPa, was both the hardest and stiffest of the three coatings, while the 2K coating, with a hardness of .104 GPa and a modulus of …

Scaffolding With Video Prior To Sophomore Physics Lab: The Addition And Resolution Of Vectors, David J. Sitar

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Studies Of Aspect Angle Dependence Of Plasma Turbulence At Haarp, Nargis Adham

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

We report the results from a recent series of campaigns employing the HAARP HF transmitter to generate and study strong Langmuir turbulence (SLT) in the interaction region of overdense ionospheric plasma. Diagnostics included the Modular UHF Ionospheric Radar (MUIR) sited at HAARP, the Super DARN-Kodiak HF radar, and HF receivers to record stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE). Short pulse, low duty cycle experiments demonstrate control and suppression of artificial field-aligned irregularities (AFAI). This allows the isolation of ponderomotive plasma turbulence effects. Plasma line spectra exhibit a marked dependence on the aspect angle of the HF pump beam and the pointing of …

Studies Of Polymers In Fouling Release Coating Science, Haoran Chen

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

In chapter one, we describe our studies of the solubility properties of two biocides in F127 aqueous solutions. One is zinc omadine and the other is C9211. The partition coefficients of these two biocides were also determined from the analytical results.

In chapter two, we conducted phase related studies of a triblock copolymer, PEO400- PBO55-PEO400 in aqueous solution. The phase diagram features of PEO400-PBO55-PEO400 in water are compared with those of F127. We believe the lack of a lower gel to liquid transition boundary in this system is because of the relatively longer PEO segments relative to the PBO segment. …

Studying Scratching/Buffing Mechanism Of The Clearcoats And Improving The Technique And Devices/Materials In Automobile Refinish Work, Chakravarthi Mallikarjun Nagolu

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

As automotive coating technology advances, the manufacturers have developed new generations of after-market coatings as well as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) coatings. The new coatings possess much stronger mar/scratch resistance either with raised elastic modulus and hardness or with the ability of self-healing. These pose new challenges to the auto-body refinish work. In the refinishing process, the after-market coatings are applied to the bodies (surfaces), and then the imperfections, which are inevitable during the application process due to the environmental dust in the shops, will be buffed out to make a smooth and shining surface. The new coatings are very …

Muir Studies Of Nonlinear Ionospheric Interactions At Haarp, Margaret Eileen Bacon

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Studies of nonlinear ionospheric interactions were undertaken at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) site in Alaska using the co-located Modular UHF Incoherent scatter Radar (MUIR). High frequency heating of the ionosphere produced plasma wave decay processes, the signatures of which were received by MUIR and interpreted with spectral analysis in MATLAB. The most commonly observed decay scheme was that of the Parametric Decay Instability, producing the distinct multifrequency cascade feature in the HF backscatter. The results presented here are intended to contribute to the understanding of HF heating facility capabilities, plasma wave decay processes, and diagnostic instrument …

Application Of Surface Thermal Lens Technology Combined With Polarization To The Study Of Polymers, Daeha Joung

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

A new approach was attempted to investigate the characteristics of polymers by using photothermal technology. The Surface Thermal Lens (STL) technique was employed to study polymers because of its higher spatial resolution and greater sensitivity than the classical photothermal detection techniques (PDT). Zeonex [Cyclo-Olefin-Polymer] and acrylic [Poly–Methyl- Meth-Acrylate] were used as the samples. Polarization was applied to the STL technique. The signals of Zeonex were different from those of acrylic when the STL probe beam was polarized. Two different polarizer orientations for the probe beam, crossed and parallel, were used to observe the STL signal response to the samples. No …

Analysis Of Tailpipe Particulate Matter Emission From A Sampling Of Kansas City Vehicles, Erika Louise Roesler

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

As the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks to model vehicle emissions based on dynamic engine operating conditions, modal PM datasets will be investigated for their robustness and limitations under the requirements of the EPA’s model: MOVES. The Kansas City PM Characterization Study tested more than 500 light-duty gasoline cars and trucks on a dynamometer in summertime and wintertime temperatures with four different modal PM2.5 instruments.

Using data reduction techniques used to prepare other datasets for the MOVES model, the modal PM data were analyzed to determine its ability to be incorporated into MOVES. It was found through averages …

Investigation Of The Optical, Thermal, And Mechanical Properties Of A Bulk Polymer Using The Surface Thermal Lensing Technique, Bushra Hussain

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The sensitive and simple photothermal technique of Surface Thermal Lensing (STL) was employed to study the thermo-mechanical response of an amorphous polycarbonate as a bulk. A discussion is given of how previously developed theories did not fit well with the present work. Therefore, only qualitative analysis and discussion of the experimental results is made, emphasizing the influence of various factors on the STL signal. The work here is mainly a study of the dependence of the STL signal on the modulated pump beam frequency. The effect on the STL signal of thermal and mechanical relaxation in the thermally stimulated area …