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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Proof Of Concept And Experimental Design For Remote Laser Evaporative Molecular Absorption Spectroscopy Sensor System (R-Lema), Amber Jessica Sucich Jun 2019

Proof Of Concept And Experimental Design For Remote Laser Evaporative Molecular Absorption Spectroscopy Sensor System (R-Lema), Amber Jessica Sucich

Physics

As the Earth’s resources are diminishing, it has become clear that the human race needs to find alternative resources and replenish the Earth’s natural reservoir. One way to do this is to consider interstellar objects. Interstellar objects, such as asteroids, offer mineral and other resources with great potential for mining. Before considering mining a rocky body, it is imperative to first know the complete composition of an object. Using the method of traveling to the objects, drilling into them, and bringing back samples is impractical, inefficient, and expensive. This method is also limiting, as only certain target areas of the …


Low Intensity Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy Of The Lake Labyrinth Meteorite, Tristan C. Paul Sep 2015

Low Intensity Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy Of The Lake Labyrinth Meteorite, Tristan C. Paul

Physics

A 23.7g fragment of the Lake Labyrinth Meteorite (fell in 1924, collected in 1934 at Lake Labyrinth in South Australia, Australia) was re-investigated for evidence of the presence of 98Tc using a two dimensional low-intensity gamma-ray spectrometer. A new calibration technique using 26Al sources found the gamma-rays previously thought to be due to 98Tc are more likely from 166Ho. The presence of 166Ho is most likely due to activation of the stable 165Ho in the meteorite from terrestrial background sources where it was stored.


Astronomical Spectroscopy At The Cal Poly Observatory, Christopher James Almich Dec 2011

Astronomical Spectroscopy At The Cal Poly Observatory, Christopher James Almich

Physics

Embarking on the first ever astronomical spectroscopy project at the Cal Poly Observatory, I have tested the capabilities of our equipment. Our spectrograph, in conjunction with a telescope and CCD camera, is capable of making fairly precise measurements of absorption and emission lines with sub-nanometer precision. In my research I obtained a spectrum of Jupiter and was able to confidently identify a number of Fraunhofer solar absorption lines.


Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Connor Drake Jun 2011

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Connor Drake

Physics

The goal of this work is to use a Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) Laser, spectrometer, and computer to create a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) system. LIBS utilizes a focused, high-powered, pulsed laser whose peak electric field ionizes materials at the beam focal point, creating localized plasma. The plasma state includes broken molecular bonds, atom/electron-ionization, and excited electrons, which on the macroscopic level is a loud “snap” and a bright spark. In this project, a fiber optic cable is used to capture light emitted from the spark, and direct it into a spectrometer which tallies the number of photons …


Survey Of Meteorite Samples For 92nb, 98tc, And 60fe Using Gamma Ray Spectroscopy, Robert Maxwell Jun 2010

Survey Of Meteorite Samples For 92nb, 98tc, And 60fe Using Gamma Ray Spectroscopy, Robert Maxwell

Physics

The focus of this senior project was the use of gamma ray spectroscopy to survey meteorite samples for 92Nb, 98Tc, and 60Fe. The presence of measurable amounts of 26Al (half-life 717,000 years) in meteorites leads astrophysists to believe that 92Nb, 98Tc, and 60Fe should also be present in detectable amounts, though they have not yet been conclusively found. Since the isotopes that were looked for in this senior project are not long lived in comparison to the age of the solar system, their presumed presence indicates that they are continuously being made in outer space and deposited on space objects.