Physics Department Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2007 ON-CAMPUS EDITION

Gates Rydell Professorship a Rousing Success

Fall Semester 2007 This past spring, under the auspices of the Einstein’s long, Robert E. and Susan T. Rydell Professor- ultimately un- Dates to Remember ship, Dr. Sylvester James Gates, Jr. spent successful quest • Sept. 4 Classes Begin the semester at Gustavus. Along for what he with Dr. Steve Mellema of the Gustavus called a “unified • Oct. 2-3 Nobel Conference physics department, he taught a course field theory.” • Oct. 20-23 Reading Days entitled “Superstring/M-Theory: The But while string DNA of Reality?” Gates, who is the John theory is cur- • Oct. 29—Nov 1 January S. Toll Professor of Physics at the Univer- rently a very Term Registration sity of Maryland and a world-renowned hot topic of expert in string theory, first spoke to a interest in both • Nov. 4-15 Spring Registration Gustavus audience as an invited speaker at the scientific • Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving our 2005 Nobel Conference on “The Leg- and popular acy of Einstein.” arenas, it has Professor Gates enjoys an early winter snow- Recess been consid- The title of the course, especially the sig- storm in St. Peter ered controver- • Dec. 17-20 Final Exams nificant question mark with which it ends, sial by some because it has yet to make any stems from the fact that string theory is an prediction that can be directly tested ex- attempt to answer the question, “What is perimentally. the most fundamental entity underlying all matter and energy in the universe?” Such a (Continued on page 2) Inside this issue: “theory of everything” was the essence of

Paul Saulnier Speaks on 3 Honors Day Gustavus’ Physics Ph.D. Production Outstanding 2007 Physics Graduates 5 The most recent 5-year data from the Na- Ph.D.’s). Other Minnesota liberal arts col- Annual Student Awards 8 tional Science Foundation tracking the leges with substantial physics Ph.D. pro- Guest Speakers 9 baccalaureate origins of Ph.D.’s in physics duction in the same time period included have put Gustavus among the top colleges Carleton (12) and St. Olaf (8). Student Summer Intern- 10 and universities across the nation. In the To compare with other kinds of institu- ships period from 2001-2005, 17 former Gusta- tions, if these numbers are divided by the Physics Alums win Na- 12 vus graduates obtained Ph.D. degrees in total undergraduate enrollment to calculate tional Awards physics. Among liberal arts colleges, Gus- Physics Faculty News 13 tavus was second only to Reed College (25 (Continued on page 3) PAGE 2 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER

Spring 2007 Course on Superstring Theory

(Continued from page 1) are testable. And, by studying a history of the ideas of physics from the ancient Greeks to the 21st century, they came to an understanding of how string theory fits into the realm of science. Along the way, they ex- plored themes and connections among science and mathematics, religion, philosophy and culture. Originally envisioned as a course strictly for students with majors outside the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines, the actual class composition ended up being almost half physics majors. This changed the character of the course, and led to an interesting synergy whereby the physics ma- jors were sometimes placed in mentoring roles. All in all, it was a very successful semester. Here are some

Superstring theory predicts the existence of a comments from some of the students’ final papers: heretofore undetected set of particles known as “As a physics major, I tend to think of science only in “superpartners”. terms of the results: theories, laws, and equations, but Since science, and physics in particular, deals with this string theory class opened my eyes to the broader ideas that are falsifiable through experimental observa- meaning of science, as knowledge of our reality and tions, Dr. Gates readily admits that this means that the processes by which it is obtained.” “string theory is not yet physics.” However, Profes- “I was not sure that an English major like myself sors Gates and Mellema agreed that string theory would be able to understand theoretical physics. To made the perfect vehicle to teach a general-education my surprise, however, I found that I was more quali- course about the nature of the scientific enterprise. fied than I had known, and that I could understand Introduced into the public imagination recently most of the concepts presented in class.” through popular books and television programs like “Although I have taken many science courses and am Brian Greene’s “The Elegant Universe,” the topic of currently planning on majoring in biology, I never string theory attracted an eager audience of students really understood the nature of science until I took this spring. The enrollment was eventually capped at this course. ” 24 because of limited sets of equipment with which laboratory experiments could be performed. “Before I had the opportunity in this class, I thought of science in a way that many non-STEM people think The thread of the course was based around a series of of it—as something for people who like memorizing Professor Gates’ lectures developed on DVD for The facts and formulas, and people who like solving prob- Teaching Company (www.teach12.com). It involved lems, but not for people who like thinking critically. the search for a physical theory that can consistently After seeing the inner-workings of how science moves and correctly describe all of the fundamental forces from one topic to another, though, I can see how and particles in the universe. In string theory, the un- similar the STEM and non-STEM disciplines really derpinnings of all matter and energy in the universe are.” are tiny objects called “strings,” which may be open– ended or closed. In so doing, superstring theory pre- dicts the existence of a heretofore undetected set of particles known as “superpartners.” While string the- In string theory, the underpinnings of all matter ory itself cannot yet be tested directly, students in the and energy in the universe are tiny objects called course were exposed to other aspects of physics that “strings,” which may be open ended or closed. SEPTEMBER 2007 PAGE 3

Gustavus Nationally Ranked for Physics Ph.D. Production

(Continued from page 1) of the quality of an un- dergraduate physics pro- Ph.D.’s in five years per 1000 students enrolled, then gram. the top five schools in the nation are: Harvey Mudd All of the data reported College (37.5), California Institute of Technology in this article are avail- (23.5), Reed College (14.9), Massachusetts Institute of able from the NSF’s Technology (8.3) and Gustavus Adolphus College WebCASPAR database, (6.6). http:// While the mission of our department is not solely to webcaspar.nsf.gov. prepare students for graduate studies in physics, bac- calaureate origins of Ph.D.’s is certainly one indication Gustavus ranks 5th in the nation (per 1000 stu- dents enrolled) for the period 2001-2005 as the baccalaureate origin of physics Ph.D.’s.

Paul Saulnier Addresses the College on Honors Day

Physics Professor Paul Saulnier was the 2006-2007 to know.’ There, we have it. Truth winner of Gustavus’ Edgar M. Carlson Award for and beauty are, in the parlance of Distinguished Teaching. The Carlson award is pre- science, positively correlated.” sented annually to one member of the faculty who has “There is another poet who lived a demonstrated exceptional skill and effectiveness as an few years earlier than Keats, well ac- instructor. tually some 2300 years earlier, the A highlight of the year is the annual address by the Chinese poet named Lao Tzu. And Carlson Professor on Honors Day. On Saturday, May this is what he had to say on the sub- 5 in Christ Chapel, Dr. Saulnier gave his talk, entitled ject, ‘Truthful words are not beauti- Paul Saulnier “Tradition,” to a capacity audience of faculty, students ful. Beautiful words are not truthful.’ Here too we and their families. Here are some excerpts from that can readily embrace this point of view, for today, in address: our world, we can all think of truthful words that rep- resent anything but beauty.” “We do have traditions at Gustavus, and here today, on Honors Day; the most important of these is ac- “So, what are we to make of these two distinct per- knowledging and celebrating the accomplishments of spectives? How can both of these notions be correct? our students... But today I would like to focus on the These two conflicting viewpoints remind me of a ‘why’ behind these accomplishments.” principle from physics…specifically the principle of complementarity. This principle refers to a situation in “I refer to the ‘intrinsic why’; namely, the pursuit of which two diametrically opposed perspectives are truth in its purest form.” both correct, just never at the same time.” “Indeed, it is the pursuit of truth that forms the well “Perhaps this is what these two poems separated by into which the mind dips to find true beauty. Beauty thousands of years are trying to tell us --- that truth and truth have often been linked throughout time... has a dual nature.” Today I would like to consider what the poets have to say on the subject. The first of these and perhaps I hope that the students we honor here today, have most famously, are these lines penned by John Keats during their time at Gustavus, been touched by the some two-hundred years ago, ‘Beauty is truth, truth Keats’ notion of the nature of truth and beauty. And beauty --- that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need that they realize that this is THE ‘why’ for which we

(Continued on page 4) PAGE 4 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER

Honors Day Address

(Continued from page 3) one of my favorites and it speaks about the power of a poem. For me, the poem about which it speaks is a are all here. As faculty, I hope that we strive to pub- metaphor for what we try to do on this hill in Saint licly model this ideal both inside and outside of our Peter, Minnesota each day.” profession. Students, pay attention to the examples you have before you.” “There is Linnea Wren from the Art and Art History department who studies ancient Maya art in Mexico and Guatemala. One day, while she “THERE IS was part of an archaeological pro- TRUTH, ject, she was examining a ceramic BEAUTY, AND plate dating from about 650 AD. She reports that as she was looking PASSION ALL at the painted design and its great AROUND THIS The Power of a Poem beauty she was suddenly over- by Lu Ji PLACE --- LET whelmed by the realization that (261-303 A.D. during the Six Dynasties Period) SOME OF IT 1400 years earlier, a Maya woman

RUB OFF ON had stood, as she was standing, and had held that same plate in her The function of literature is YOU.” hands. Linnea says that in that mo- to express the nature of nature. ment she felt an extraordinary con- nection through her research to another person’s life, It can’t be barred as it travels space dreams, and sense of beauty.” and boats across one hundred million years. “There is Brian O’Brien from the Chemistry depart- Gazing to the fore, I leave models for people to come; ment who, in addition to Corpus flowers, finds beauty for all of the senses in his discipline; visual beauty in looking aft, I learn from my ancestors. the form of crystals and colors, olfactory experiences It can save teetering governments and weak armies; ranging from elegant beauty to sheer horror, gustatory it gives voice to the dying wind of human virtue. experiences over the same continuum, and touch --- who can forget the feel of a cold, hard ingot of yt- No matter how far, this road will take you there; trium in one's hand.” it will express the subtlest point. “There is Lisa Heldke of the Philosophy department It waters the heart like clouds and rain, whose philosophical passion is aroused most fervently by questions about the nature of reality and truth. For and shifts form like a changeable spirit. her, they come together in the study of objectivity, a Inscribed on metal and stone, it spreads virtue. topic that has vexed her since she was a senior in col- lege. Like John Dewey who inspires her, she wants to Flowing with pipes and strings, each day the poem is understand how the knowing activity shapes both new. knowers and the known.” “There is truth, beauty, and passion all around this (Translated by Tony Barnstone and Chou Ping) place --- let some of it rub off on you.” “In closing, I would like to leave you with one more poem. It is by the Chinese poet Lu Ji. This poem is SEPTEMBER 2007 PAGE 5

Gustavus Graduates 14 Physics Majors in 2007

On Sunday, May 27, 2007, the department bid farewell me a strong work ethic, and much improved problem to 14 senior physics majors, most of whom posed for solving skills. I also feel like the actual physics educa- the picture above. From left to right (back row): Prof. tion was very strong, and I feel very prepared for my Huber, Prof. Henry, Prof. Saulnier, Prof. Mellema, future in whatever related field I choose. As for my Mr. Miller, Scott Hagemeyer, Collin Meierbachtol, plans in the fall, I am attending the University of Min- Dustin Kuchera and Jeff Heilman; (front row) Noah nesota to start my Master's degree in Electrical Engi- Mirovsky, Nick Peterson, Ben Olson, Eric Nelson, neering. My first semester classes have a focus on Matt Bergman, Nate Souther, Andrea Olson and Matt circuit design and signal analysis. I am also planning Hartman. Not pictured: Chris Hedberg and Peter on auditioning for the jazz band at the University and Overholser. to keep playing my saxophone. I am really excited to get started with classes. The class size of 14 is about the average number for the Gustavus physics department, which is always The best advice that I can offer to younger students is cited in the statistical research form the American In- to keep working hard, even when it feels like the worst stitute of Physics as one of the largest undergraduate thing in the world, because in the end, the hard work programs for a bachelor’s-granting department. (See will pay off, and it will feel good to have learned so Table 5 of their 2002-2004 Enrollment and Degrees much.” Report at www.aip.org.) The post-graduation plans for Scott Hagemeyer writes, “My future plans are to this year’s class, as is typical, involve employment in complete the 2-year Master's program at the Univer- different areas and graduate studies in a variety of dis- sity of Nebraska - Lincoln in the field of Mechanical ciplines. Among those who shared their future plans Engineering. Should I like to continue in the program (and some advice for current students): or desire a Ph.D., I have the option at the end of my 2 Matt Bergman says: “I feel like my time at Gustavus years to apply to the Ph.D. program. After receiving was the best of my life, and that my education was my next degree, I plan to seek employment some- exceptional. The physics department specifically gave where in the States to work as a mechanical engineer. me much more than just physics knowledge, it gave (Continued on page 6) PAGE 6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER

2007 Physics Grads

(Continued from page 5) ing with quite a bit of electronics background. Future words of wisdom would be to make sure you

try take general-education courses that you believe will I feel very fortunate to have give you knowledge which in turn will make you a had the opportunities I did dur- more hirable employee in the future (as opposed to ing my 4 years at GAC. I was taking the easiest classes). Now that I look back on involved with 2 summer re- my class choices, I feel as though the content was search opportunities (one with worth more than the grades (for the most part). I have Tom doing Vibro- noticed that there are many classes that I wish I would Acoustography and another have taken that would have made me more well- with Paul doing Laser Speckle rounded, and therefore more valuable to prospective Statistics) and one J-term re- employers, especially in the technical field.” search (again with Tom). I was also able to become involved with demo shows for the local schools, as Dustin Kuchera said briefly: “Cheers from Croatia! I well as having student employment in the Observa- am currently on a trip throughout Europe. In short, as tory, which was more like play than work. you know, I'll be attending the University of Minne- sota for an Industrial and Systems Engineering Mas- My advice to the current and future students of GAC ter’s degree” is simple: Don't ever give up. Sure, Mechanics prob- lems sets can sometimes seem like the undergraduate Collin Meierbachtol writes: “This fall, I will begin physics student's equivalent of String Theory research, graduate school in electrical engineering at Michigan but that doesn't mean that there isn't a solution out State University. There, I will be a research assistant there waiting to be found. Along with that, I would for Dr. Terrence Brown, working on the design, suggest working and studying in groups. As smart as growth, and testing of wide-bandgap Nitride semicon- you may be, or think you are, one of your classmates ductors through molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). understands something better than you do. Similarly, As for words of wisdom to fellow Gustavus physics you understand something better than majors, I have a few. First of all, explore your options “WORKING one of your classmates. Working with as a physics major: participate in an internship and WITH YOUR your classmates allows you to teach conduct research. An internship allows you the chance CLASSMATES each other, as well as reinforce what to “test drive” a career without any long term commit- ALLOWS YOU you already knew.” ment. Could you see yourself doing this type of work TO TEACH Jeff Heilman, who has an internship on a daily basis? Do you find purpose and joy per- EACH OTHER, this summer with Trane Manufactur- forming these tasks? If you don’t enjoy that particular AS WELL AS ing, says: “My future plans consist of type of work, you’re only out a few months instead of REINFORCE finishing up my internship in the next several years. If you do find what you enjoy, great. WHAT YOU 5+ weeks with a possible extension, Pursue the path that will lead to that occupation or ALREADY and then looking for more permanent position. KNEW.” work in the engineering field. I could Similarly, research is a great opportunity to expand see myself going back to school in the your scientific creativity and gain some experience for next few years for an Engineering degree, or possibly graduate school, should you choose to pursue that my MBA depending on the specific line of work I option. Begin your search by asking around the de- enter after finishing up here at Trane. So far the in- partment as to what research projects are funded and ternship has gone well, but most of it has been data available. If something catches your interest, let the entry/manipulation in Excel, with limited but worth- (Continued on page 7) while experience in manufacturing/process engineer- SEPTEMBER 2007 PAGE 7

Graduates Future Plans

to hear back whether I got the (Continued from page 6) job, but I was told I had a very good chance of getting it. Af- professor know and apply for a summer research posi- ter I spend a year or so in poli- tion. If nothing within the department is of immedi- tics I've decided to go to grad ate significance, check out the hundreds of Research school (not sure which one Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs of- yet) for physics. I think its fered around the country either online or on the bulle- important to get the politics tin board outside the physics student offices. Pay at- out of my system a bit first so I can focus on physics tention to application deadlines, though; many fall in when I go back to school.” early- to mid-February.” Ben Olson has a graduate teaching assistantship in Noah Mirovsky is entering the Masters International the physics department at the University of Iowa. Program in Environmental Engineering at Michigan Technological University. This program combines D. Peter Overholser is pursuing doctoral studies in graduate classes in engineering with two years of ser- mathematics at the University of California-San vice in the Peace Corps. Diego. Eric Nelson sent the following message: “It seems Nate Souther has a graduate teaching assistantship in strange that it's almost half way through August and the physics department at Miami University in Ox- I'm not getting ready to head back to Gustavus. I defi- ford, Ohio. nitely already miss it. My future plans are a little up in We wish success to our 2007 graduates in all their fu- the air right now. I'm possibly moving to New Hamp- ture endeavors.. shire to work on a presidential campaign. I'm waiting

ΣΠΣ Inductees

At the department’s spring picnic on May 20, 2007, of Physics and “exists the following members of the Gustavus Class of 2007 to honor outstanding were honored with induction into Sigma Pi Sigma, the scholarship in physics; national physics honor society: to encourage interest in physics among students Matthew Bergman at all levels; to promote Collin Meierbachtol an attitude of service of Benjamin Olson its members towards their fellow students, D. Peter Overholser colleagues, and the pub- ΣΠΣ was founded in 1921 and is a member honor lic; to provide a fellow- society of the Association of College Honor Societies. ship of persons who Nomination and election are by the faculty, based on a have excelled in phys- combination of student achievement in course work ics.” and research, and participation in department and SPS Congratulations to these four graduating seniors, who activities. continue the Gustavus tradition of scholarship, re- Sigma Pi Sigma is a member of the American Institute search, and active service within our department. PAGE 8 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER

2007-2008 Student Awards

The physics department has sociation of Physics Teachers (AAPT). The prize is recognized a number of our named in memory of the former chair (1967-69) of continuing majors with the Gustavus physics department and awarded to the awards for the current year. student with “the greatest potential for contributing to physics and society.” Glade Sietsema ('08) has been selected as the winner of In consultation with the Physics Department, the De- the Milward T. Rodine Me- partment of Mathematics/Computer Science has cho- morial Physics Award for the sen Eric Ofstad ('08) as the winner of the 2007-2008 2007-2008 academic year. This prize is named for the John Borneman Prize Par Excellence in Mathematics. longtime Gustavus professor of physics (who taught This award is named in memory of John Borneman, a here from 1933-1969) and is awarded annually on the 1955 Gustavus graduate, by his family. It is presented basis of interests and scholarly achievements to a annually to an outstanding student in the fields of physics major who has completed the junior year. mathematics and physics. Jared Sieling ('08) and Michelle Price ('08) have Christina Lewis ('10) received the Harold Q Fuller received the Gerald and Julia Swanson Scholarship in Memorial Award in Physics, which is given to the Physics for 2007-2008. This scholarship was estab- first-year student who has the highest overall record in lished to honor the work of the physics department Classical Physics I and II. faculty who provided Gerald Swanson with a back- Jonathan Dexter ('08) received the Positive Deriva- ground that prepared him for graduate study in phys- tive Award for a rising senior, and Christopher (C. ics and for a career with the Bendix Corporation. The J.) Hunt ('10) and Cole Carlson ('10) received Posi- scholarship is to encourage physics students of prom- tive Derivative Awards for rising sophomores. These ise who are enrolled full-time at the College. awards are given to students in honor of their im- Kristen Burson ('08) was awarded the John Chind- provement in physics and promise of future achieve- vall Scholarship in Physics for 2007-2008. This en- ments. The award consists of a check adequate to pay dowed scholarship was established in memory of 1970 for a one-year student membership in AAPT, SPS, Gustavus graduate John Chindvall by his parents and IEEE, ASME or a similar organization friends. It is awarded annually to a student majoring in In addition, Jared Sieling ('08) and Kristen Burson physics. ('08) have been named Physics Departmental Assis- Kathleen DeWahl ('08) was selected to receive the tants for Fall Semester, 2007. This position has a 2007-2008 Julian A. Crawford Memorial Prize in nominal expectation of four hours per week in re- Physics. This prize consists of a check equivalent in search, course development or other activities that will value to a one-year membership in the American As- assist in the work of the department.

Wind Power Project

Gustavus’ plan to develop and provide about half of our annual electrical energy use wind-powered electricity for needs. the campus had both good However, due to the tremendous growth in the world- news and bad news during the wide wind-energy business and the accompanying de- past year. The College is pre- mand for turbines, the College has been unable to find pared to purchase two wind a manufacturer who can supply the units we need. turbines of about 2.5- Megawatts each, enough to Efforts to find a supplier are ongoing—stay tuned for further updates! SEPTEMBER 2007 PAGE 9

SPS Chapter News

For the second year in a row, the Gustavus chapter of The first SPS meeting will oc- the Society of Physics Students was named by the na- cur early in the fall semester, at tional SPS office an “Outstanding SPS Chapter” for which time the officers will 2005-2006. The award letter cites “the depth and outline their plans for fall ac- breadth of SPS activities conducted by your chapter in tivities. At the first meeting, such areas as physics research, public science out- the faculty members will also reach, physics tutoring programs, hosting and repre- make brief presentations about sentation at physics meetings, and providing social opportunities for student col- interaction for chapter members.” laborations in research projects. Activities in 2006-2007 included regular meetings, The newly-elected SPS offers for 2007-2008 are: with presentations by members about their summer Tri-Presidents: Kristen Burson ('08), Glade Siet- research internships, as well as outside speakers. Out- sema ('08) and Erik Johnson ('09) reach activities included demo sessions during Nobel Conference, a visit to South Elementary School in St. Treasurer: Eva Cornell ('08) Peter, and participation in the “Science on Saturday” Activities Coordinator: Kathleen DeWahl ('08) program for school-aged children in the area. Sophomore Representative: Joel Howard ('10) Jared Sieling ('08) and Danielle Berg (‘08), co- authored a research paper with Professor Chuck The SPS club at Gustavus forms a hub for both aca- Niederriter entitled “Energy Storage Systems as a demic and social activities within the physics depart- Complement to Wind Power,” which Jared presented ment. All students are encouraged to participate in at the January 2007 National Meeting of the American SPS and everyone is invited to attend SPS activities. Association of Physics Teachers in Seattle.

Guest Speakers Enrich the Physics Program

This past year several outside speakers gave seminars tion” about his work in experimental quantum optics. in the Gustavus physics department. In March, our Rydell Visiting Professor, Jim Gates In the fall, Dr. Ali Hussain Abdullah from the College from the University of Maryland, gave a talk entitled of Technical Studies in Kuwait and Dr. Hamed Sallam “SUSY and the Lords of the Ring” on the topic of from Minnesota State University, Mankato gave an Supersymmetry and its relation to experiments pro- interdisciplinary presentation entitled “A Fuzzy-logic posed for the new Large Hadron Collider ring. Based Model: Software Application Tools For Astro- Our speakers program continues this fall. Charles nomical Research.” Hendrickson ('57) will give a seminar on the physics A few weeks later, Dr. Steven Spangler from the space and tuning of pipe organs. He is the president of physics group at the University of Iowa spoke on Hendrickson Organ Company in St. Peter. This talk “Measuring the Magnetic Field in the Solar Corona”. is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 10th. His talk combined some interesting aspects of astron- omy, plasma physics, and electricity and magnetism. Dr. Jim Greenleaf , Ultrasound Research Lab Mayo Clinic, will give a talk on vibroacoustic imaging using In January, Gustavus physics alum Dr. Brian Smith the ultrasound radiation force. They developed this ('00), fresh from completing his Ph.D. in physics at technique for ultrasound imaging in the body, and the University of Oregon, and on his way to a post- Tom Huber and his Gustavus students have been doctoral appointment at Oxford University in Eng- adapting it for modal excitation in air. The talk is ten- land, gave a talk entitled “Quantum State Determina- tatively scheduled for Wednesday, November 14th. PAGE 10 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER

Students Spend the Summer in Internship Programs

The summer of 2007 saw a dozen Gustavus physics hobby’- apparently having a technical hobby is a majors participate in a corporate or government spon- ‘requirement’ to be a graduate student), traditional sored internship in physics or a related subject area. Guatemalan weaving, you name it! Danielle Berg ('08) participated in the NSF Research As far as my actual research goes, I'm working on fab- Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in the ricating graphene-based field-effect transistors and physics department at Michigan State University. She then running tests at high bias in order to gain a better writes: “I spent my summer gathering information for understanding of the electronic properties of gra- an ongoing biophysics investigation of the folding phene. Graphene is a single layer of bulk graphite and process of a domain of protein L with a tyrosine to its geometry is a 2D honeycomb-shaped carbon lat- tryptophan substitution at the 47th residue. Our group tice. It has potential uses in nanoelectronics and ex- used various optical methods to probe the structural hibits some really interesting electronic properties transitions of protein L as it folds. In particular, I used such as a zero-gap semiconductor-band structure, high circular dichroism to investigate secondary structure, carrier mobility (i.e. movement of electrons with little fluorescence to measure tertiary structure (as the scattering), and high thermal conductivity. Although amount of light emitted is directly related to the scientists are really excited about graphene's potential amount of the solvent core exposed to the aqueous and properties, right now the fabrication processes are solution), and absorbance of UV light to determine not efficient enough for industry. The method that the amount of protein in a sample. These measure- I'm using involves cleaving bulk graphite mechanically ments were done on various samples that ranged in with scotch tape ("highly technical" lab equipment guanidine HCl concentration from 0M to 6M, where available for less than $5!). I'm patterning contacts the protein is completely folded in 0M and completely (source and drain electrodes) using electron beam li- unfolded in 6M. At the end I was also able to start thography followed by a gold evaporation running some kinetic experiments where we ran pro- (unfortunately gold for contacts is more expensive tein L in 6M gdn down a 10-micron deep channel at a than the scotch tape).” constant pressure and a buffer through side channels Sam Barthell (‘08) and Eric Ofstad (‘08) worked on to dilute the gdn out. We then watched the protein campus with Dr. Tom Huber under the auspices of an unfold using fluorescence and various detectors as NSF grant for Research at Undergraduate Institutions. distance down the channel along with knowing the Eric writes: “Sam and I have been working on a pro- constant velocity allows you to look at the protein ject under Prof. Huber in ultrasound vibro- over time. The exciting part is that we found data that acoustography, that is, imaging with ultrasound. Part- refute the expected two-state folding way through the summer we discovered an exciting “I'M ENJOY- process of protein L, and this is ex- application for our research: detecting biological or ING RE- pected to go into a paper maybe this chemical agents. The process works by doping small SEARCH A winter.” cantilevers (a tenth of a millimeter in length) so that LOT, BOTH Kristen Burson ('08) writes: “This the agents bind to them, causing a shift the resonant FOR THE IN- summer I am working at the Univer- frequencies of the cantilevers due to a change in mass. TERESTING sity of Maryland-College Park through This allows for testing for the presence of agents and SUBJECT MA- the Materials Research Science and measuring their concentrations. As opposed to more TERIAL AND Engineering Center. I'm enjoying re- conventional mechanical excitation methods, ultra- THE GREAT search a lot, both for the interesting sound allows not only for measuring more resonance GROUP OF subject material and the great group of peaks, but also easy selective excitation of the sym- PEOPLE THAT people that I am working with. I'm metric and anti-symmetric vibrational modes.” I AM WORK- learning lots too, about research, bikes ING WITH.” (my graduate mentor's ‘technical (Continued on page 11) SEPTEMBER 2007 PAGE 11

Summer Internships

(Continued from page 10) Jeff Heilman ('07) has an internship at Trane Manu- facturing Corporation (see the article about 2007 Eva Cornell ('08) spent the summer working on graduates on page 6). campus with Dr. Paul Saulnier under the auspices of a Sarah Komperud('09) had an internship at Master- Gustavus Presidential Faculty/Student Research Col- taste in Teterboro, New Jersey. She says, “I am work- laboration grant. She says, “I spent the summer on the ing under an engineer this summer, but am really only Gustavus campus continuing Paul's biophysics re- doing the company projects that no one else wants/ search on swarming patterns. Although we tried a few has time to do; nothing research related. I've mostly other kinds of "critters" (turning over the logs in the been collecting data on the company's raw materials Arboretum to find pill bugs was one of the summer's and entering it into a spreadsheet, and just finished highlights!) we ended up sticking with brine shrimp as with the emergency act plan for all the different sites.” our primary critter. We are working on varying the shrimps' environment and seeing how that affects Anna Lindquist ('08) participated in the NSF REU their swarming pattern. I'm going to be continuing in geophysics at the University of Minnesota. this research into next year, but I'm looking forward Collin Meierbachtol ('07) writes: “For the summer, I to second floor Olin having a few more people have an internship in Woodbury with Superior Signal around!” Design, Inc. Collaborating with Peter Hultgren ('91), Kathleen DeWahl ('08) spent the summer in an NSF I’m engineering updated signaling systems for the Un- REU in astrophysics at Wesleyan University. She ion Pacific Railroad.” writes: “This summer at Wesleyan University in Mid- Michelle Price ('08) was in an NSF REU at the Uni- dletown, CT, my fellow intern and I have been updat- versity of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She writes: ing a huge database of T-Tauri stars. T-Tauri stars are “I have been in Los Angeles since the end of June. I young stars (less than 1 million years old or so) with am on Dr. Katsushi Arisaka's dark matter team study- variable magnitudes of color. The big excitement so ing direct dark matter detection using cryogenic liquid far has been a trip out to Kitt Peak Observatory to noble gases. UCLA is part of the LUX collaboration, a look for T-Tauri stars with a Wesleyan grad student distinguished group that will build a 300 kg liquid Xe- who was working on her own project, as well as help- non detector in the next year or so (which we were ing us with our observing. Our first night on the happy to learn has been fully funded as of last month). mountain we ended up getting evacuated due to a Our team is also writing a proposal for a 10-ton scale wildfire at the base of Kitt Peak. The fire was actually detector that will far exceed other proposed detection visible from the warm room of the 0.9m WIYN tele- sensitivity. The UCLA group is using the months pre- scope, where we were doing our observing. In the end ceding construction to run extensive simulations that our observing run was shortened from 9 nights to will allow analysis of the collected data. My project is three, but we to determine how well the mass and cross-section of got some data the dark matter particles (WIMPs) can be specified via and are starting energy spectrum analysis. The UCLA program is to look at it, amazing, we're going to have to try to get more now that we Gusties out here in the future!” are back in Connecticut. Jared Sieling ('08) writes: “I am working in the REU The picture is a program here at the University of Minnesota Electrical view of the and Computer Engineering Department. I work in Kitt Peak Ob- the area of Controls Systems, and design simulations servatory complex from our telescope.” of dynamical flow systems of fluids. The motivation (Continued on page 12) PAGE 12 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER

Two Gustavus Physics Alumnae Win National Awards

This past spring two recent Gustavus physics gradu- “It can be used over the course of five years for three ates received prestigious national scholarships to sup- years of graduate study and pays tuition, fees, and a port their graduate studies. $30,000 stipend per year. There is also $1000 to be used for research abroad that lasts 3 months or Kelly Younge ('05), who is pursuing a doctorate in more. I'm planning on trying to spend a semester in applied physics at the University of Michigan, was Berlin or Dresden, where there is quite a bit of work awarded a National Defense Science and Engineering being done on binaural modeling. My thesis topic is Fellowship Grant. The NDSEG Fellowship is from binaural speech intelligibility, which is the study of the Department of Defense. The DoD offers these how the two different signals arriving at the ears are fellowships to individuals who have demonstrated processed both physically and cognitively to produce ability and special aptitude for advanced training in an advantage over listening with one ear. This is sig- science and engineering. Kelly writes: “They have a nificant in architectural acoustics because current met- number of different departments that choose winners, rics used to quantify and and mine was picked by the Air Force Office of Scien- predict speech intelligi- tific Research. They said about 3400 people applied bility in architectural this year. The fellowship covers tuition, fees, and pro- spaces are calculated vides a yearly stipend of $30,500 the first year, $31,000 with data from omnidi- the second year, and $31,500 the third year.” For be- rectional micro- ing among only 200 awardees nationwide, our con- phones. So my goal is to gratulations to Kelly! develop a metric that Dorea Ruggles ('06), who is pursuing a doctorate in uses data collected from architectural acoustics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Insti- a dummy head with in- tute, has been awarded a National Science Foundation dependent microphones predoctoral fellowship. This award is made to out- in each ear.” Only a year after leaving Gustavus, standing graduate students who demonstrate the po- Dorea has already completed her Master’s degree in tential to become knowledge experts and who can architectural acoustics at RPI. She informs us that contribute significantly to research, teaching, and in- she’s now “licensed to design concert halls”, which novations in science and engineering. Dorea writes: has been a lifelong dream. Congratulations, Dorea.

Student Summer Internships

(Continued from page 11) hospital laboratories, (we do biomedical research and clinical diagnostics). We have more than 180 different of the research is that when small stochastic noise is chemistry tests, plus a full line of hematology capabili- introduced to these systems, it is amplified by as much ties which are available to diagnose and monitor such as 104 times, and greatly impedes the flow of the things as heart disease or prostate cancer. We design fluid. By analyzing the amplification mechanism of state-of-the-art instruments which help researchers the noise, we will be able to design a control system to develop breakthrough discoveries in order to expand repress this energy growth, and maintain a constant, the boundaries of technology for diagnosis and treat- steady flow throughout.” ment of disease. I have been assisting mechanical en- gineers in developing a test apparatus/test bench to Christy Tupy ('09) worked as a Systems Integration simulate re-suspension of paramagnetic particles ex- Engineering Intern at Beckman Coulter in Chaska, ternally via an ultrasonic transducer in the reagent Minnesota. She writes: “Beckman Coulter is one of pack and reaction vessels. I am really enjoying this the leading providers of in vitro diagnostics systems to internship. I love going to work everyday! ” SEPTEMBER 2007 PAGE 13

Faculty Members Have a Busy Summer - Look Forward to Fall

The summer of 2007 was a busy one for the physics "DC" will be making a number of conference/seminar faculty, who were involved in a number of projects trips during the 2007-08 academic year, but will be both on and off campus. operating mainly from his home office, with occa- sional visits to campus. His sabbatical projects include Dennis Henry concluded his most recent term as course development, manuscript writing and review- department chair on May 31 and began his full-year ing, possible consulting in industry, and preparing an sabbatical leave by returning to his undergraduate NSF grant application with Tom Huber for new roots at Wabash College for his 40th class reunion. equipment for the electronics courses. Students wish- As part of the weekend program, he showed the new ing to reach him for informal advising and letters of DVD version of his documentary "Wabash on Film: recommendation should contact him by e-mail at 1963-1967" and met 65 other returning classmates, [email protected]. who numbered far more than any class at one of the College’s reunions. He visited the former Henry fam- It was a very interesting summer for Tom Huber. ily home (which is now student housing), and the One of the highlights was a week spent at Purdue completely renovated Goodrich Hall of Physics and University in Lafayette, IN. During his week there, he Mathematics, among many other familiar and new gave a seminar on his research to the mechanical engi- buildings. Among the former was the College Chapel, neering department, and spent time in the lab of one where he and Mary were married 40 years ago this of the researchers and brought back a very interesting August. microcantilever sample. He also gave a talk about the physics of guitars to a week-long class focused on gui- The first third of the summer was largely consumed tar building. He even got time to start building his by archiving department and course materials for col- own electric guitar! Tom worked this summer with leagues, and in rebuilding his office pc, which had Eric Ofstad ('08) and Sam Barthel ('08) on the sec- kindly waited until both its five-year warranty expira- ond year of a three-year NSF funded research pro- tion and the end of the semester before blowing a gram. The focus of the project is to study the use of memory module and its operating system. Home re- the interference of ultrasound beams for exciting vi- pair projects and sabbatical planning took hold in July, brations in small structures. The real highlight of the but a highlight was a brief visit with former students summer research this year was studying the vibration Collin Meierbachtol '07 and Peter Hultgren '91 at of the microcantilever array obtained at Purdue. This Southwest Signal Engineering Company in Woodbury. array has a pair of small cantilevers that are about 1/2 (See photo below.) Personal projects included devel- mm long by 1/10 mm wide (stop down by the lab sometime, and he can show you these under a magni- fying glass). These type of microcantilevers might be of use for detecting biological or chemical samples. Tom, Sam and Eric demonstrated that it is possible to use ultrasound to vibrate these very small cantilevers. To detect this motion required fine tuning several mir- rors, lenses and a microscope objective to adapt our single point vibrometer system, purchased on eBay, to measure microscopic samples; a commercial micro- scanning vibrometer would be over $250k! By suc- cessfully demonstrating that objects this small can be excited using this ultrasound technique, it opens a new oping new model railroad products and beginning the range of devices that can be studied. Critical in this conversion of the home layout control system from analog phase-locked loop to digital command control (Continued on page 14) (DCC). PAGE 14 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER

Physics Faculty News

(Continued from page 13) research was developing a computational model of the cantilever array; this helped to predict the frequencies at which to look for resonances. Any students who are interested in this type of research should see Tom this fall; he will need a pair of new students to work with next summer. Tom will be teaching Experimental Modern Physics, Thermal and Statistical Physics, and the Physics Senior Seminar this fall. He continues as the department’s coordinator of summer internships, and will be orga- nizing the external speakers program. He will be chair year-old twins Sylvester and Delilah, who drove from of the faculty’s International and Domestic Programs Maryland to vacation in St. Peter and were treated to Committee. trips to the lake and shopping at the Mall of America Amihan Huesmann’s summer started with a bang: a (see photo above), as well as a pot-luck dinner with manuscript submitted a full two years before was fi- families from the physics and math/computer-science nally published, and she enjoyed a camping trip to departments. South Dakota and Wyoming. She spent the rest of the Looking forward to the fall, it will be a big event when summer becoming reacquainted with the pace of sum- the Mellemas’ older son, Dan, moves into Norelius mer research in Madison but managed to complete a Hall and begins his own college career. In addition to draft anyway. This paper represents the last of the chairing the physics department, Steve will be a mem- unpublished topics in her thesis and thus a satisfying ber of the College Budget Committee and the faculty sense of closure. She's excited about teaching at GAC Compensation Committee this year. He will teach again this year, and less than excited about being on Classical Physics I this fall. the job market again. Jim Miller built a new computer server this sum- Steve Mellema spent most of the summer in St. Pe- mer. It functions as a domain controller, web server, ter, beginning his duties as physics department chair. and file server for the Physics department. And, since There was a busy schedule attending son Jake’s soccer Jim and his family moved to a permanent home in games all around southern Minnesota. (Their under-14 Saint Peter, the house hunting chapter closes. The team made it all the way to the state championships in summer wasn't all work. Jim also had several chances Blaine in late July). Steve also presented a paper at the to gain some first-hand experience with Archimedes summer meeting of the American Association of principle (on buoyancy forces). The unusually strong Physics Teachers (AAPT) in Greensboro, NC. The early-summer winds on Mille Lacs and German Lake paper, co-authored with Jim Gates, described their gave the needed pulling force to lift our lab instructor creation of a unique course in science based around and his 80 liter "sinker" windsurfing board out of the string theory (see cover story) and sought collabora- water. 2.2 pounds of buoyancy per liter of board vol- tors in an effort to expand the reach of the course. ume tells you that if the wind isn't blowing, you’re Late summer highlights included a visit to Kansas City sinking! Jim says that's how the nickname for these to visit his niece Terri Chee (‘99) and her family, in- small boards got coined. Kind of like a water ski with- cluding meeting grand niece Su-Yin (age 9 months) out a tow rope. for the first time. There was also a memorable August visit from Jim Gates and his wife Dianna and their 14- (Continued on page 15) SEPTEMBER 2007 PAGE 15

43rd Nobel Conference to Focus on Energy

On October 2-3, 2007, Gustavus’ annual Nobel Con- for Space Studies ference will bring together a group of world-renowned Paul L. Joskow, Director, Center for Energy and En- scholars and researchers who will be “Heating Up the vironmental Policy Research, Massachusetts Institute Energy Debate”. of Technology Issues of energy and its ramifications—economic, Lee Rybeck Lynd, Professor, Thayer School of Engi- environmental and political will be the focus. This neering, Dartmouth College year’s invited speakers are: Joan M. Ogden, Co-Director, Hydrogen Pathways Steven Chu, Nobel Laureate in Physics 1997, Director Program, Institute of Transportation Studies, Univer- of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California sity of California, Davis Kenneth S. Deffeyes, Professor of Geosciences Will Steger, Polar explorer, conservationist, educator, Emeritus, Princeton University writer and photographer James E. Hansen, Director, NASA Goddard Institute

Faculty Summer Activities

(Continued from page 14) section representative and chairing a session. Of course, he also had an opportunity to learn what is In June Chuck Niederriter decided to get serious new in physics and astronomy education and visit with about his leave and tried to minimize his work at Gus- alumni and colleagues from across the country. tavus during the summer. However, he was not quite This will be a busy year for Chuck, returning from as successful as he had hoped, spending quite a few leave with lots of new projects in mind, but teaching days on campus making phone calls relating to the an FTS for the first time and serving on the Personnel wind project and this year’s Nobel Conference. Committee. He will also be teaching Classical Physics Chuck and Jeff Jeremiason made a presentation to the III and helping with the Nobel Conference. finance committee of the Board of Trustees in June and gave the committee a tour of wind turbine sites in Paul Saulnier writes: “The summer of 2007 was filled August. Hopefully, the full Board will confirm our with research, class preparation, and committee work. choice by voting at their October meeting to site the The research consisted of two main projects: speckle turbines in the 80-acre field just west of campus. microstatistics, and the use of radial distribution func- tions as a means to study swarming behavior in na- Chuck made numerous phone calls and sent out many ture. These projects involve measuring speckle inten- emails inviting organizations for the region and across sity statistics as a function of polarization and using the country to participate in an exhibit show in con- the radial distribution function to investigate the or- junction with this year’s Nobel Conference. Some ganizational structure of zooplankton swarms in re- large groups, like the Minnesota Department of Com- sponse to different experimental conditions.” Paul merce, 3M’s Energy Division, and the Midwest Re- worked with two research student assistants on these newable Energy Association, have already confirmed. projects. Paul will once again be looking for students We’re still waiting to hear back from others, like to conduct research with him this year. AWEA (the American Wind Energy Association). We hope to have some cool displays, including a plug-in This year Paul continues to serve as the pre- hybrid car, fully electric cars and, perhaps, even a engineering advisor in the physics department. His piece of a wind turbine blade. service outside of physics includes chairing the faculty Personnel committee and serving as coordinator of In late July, Chuck attended the AAPT meeting in the faculty Shop Talks. Greensboro, North Carolina, serving as Minnesota Physics Department Editor’s Note: This Newsletter is issued at the beginning of the fall semester for the benefit of current Olin Hall 800 West College Avenue and prospective students, alumni, faculty and others interested in the physics program. St. Peter, MN 56082 USA Students enrolled in the major course sequence will also be receiving copies of the current physics curricu- Phone: +1(507)933-7308 Fax: +1(507)933-6104 lum and advising guide and a users’ guide to the physics software on the department’s computer network.

Editor: Steve Mellema All students are reminded to make an appointment to visit with their faculty advisor early in the fall semester, to discuss study abroad, January and Spring registration, or any other items of mutual interest.

January Term 2008 Course Options

This coming January, physics department faculty will robots will compete in a public offer a variety of courses. While only one of these is tournament. The students will explicitly targeted for physics majors, there are two design and construct the robots others that may be of general interest. from provided parts (Legos), will choose appropriate sensors and Steve Mellema will teach PHY210, “Fortran and effectors, interface them to on- C++ for the Physical Sciences”. This is a computer- board computers, and program programming course designed for students who have the robots to compete effectively no previous programming experience. (This is NOT in the course tournament. All students are expected the same as the course of- to have some background in Lego construction, elec- fered by the Math/ tronics, or computer programming. Computer-Science depart- ment in alternating J- Paul Saulnier will teach “The History and Art of Terms.) It will provide an Film Noir.” This course will trace the history of film introduction to the Fortran noir from its literary and cine- 90 and C++ computer lan- matic inception, its peak during guages and to their applica- the “classic period”, to the neo- tion to problems in physics, noir style of the modern era. engineering, applied mathematics and simulation of The cinematic styles and themes systems. Fortran continues to be a common language represented by these films will be in physics and engineering research and development, examined. In addition to the historical and artistic along with C++. Programs will be executed on Win- aspects of these films, the cultural implications of the dows-based computers. As a final project, students movement will also be explored. This course is de- will be encouraged to develop software in an area of signed for people who love film. interest. The only prerequisite for the course is PHY200, Classical Physics I. Along with Dr. Mike Hvidsten from the MCS depart- We’re on the Web! ment, Tom Huber will teach “Robotics Workshop”. Students will work in teams to design, build, and pro- http://physics.gustavus.edu gram robots. At the end of this hands-on course, these