Newsletter of the Department of Physics, University of Arkansas REFLECTIONS Volume X, Number 1 Summer 2002

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS RECEIVES THE URSA WEB THE LARGEST GIFT TELESCOPE PROJECT IN HISTORY OF U.S. PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION Undergraduate Research Studies in Astronomy, or URSA, is a project funded by the National Science The University of Arkansas received a $300 Arkansas to realize its vision as a nationally Foundation, with matching support from the million commitment from the Walton Family competitive, student-centered research university University. The goal of the project is to enable all Charitable Support Foundation to establish and serving Arkansas and the world,” White added. undergraduate astronomy students to participate in endow an undergraduate honors college and The Walton Family Charitable Support research projects during each astronomy class they endow the graduate school. The gift is the largest Foundation was founded to support specific take. The hope is that this will foster an inventive ever made to a U.S. public university. The gift charities in the state of Arkansas by the family of research spirit in our students and lead to also ranks as the fifth largest ever made to an the late Sam M. Walton, who created Wal-Mart improved learning and satisfaction. Students are American university, whether public or private, Stores, Inc., now the world’s largest corporation. introduced to different kinds of astronomical according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. The Walton Family Charitable Support objects in the classroom, and are encouraged to “This unprecedented generosity from the Foundation also made a $50 million gift in 1998 learn more about them by making their own Walton Family will transform the University of to what was later renamed the Sam M. Walton observations. When students go to a web site Arkansas for our students and faculty, and in the College of Business at the University of Arkansas. (ursa.uark.edu) and request their observations, the process position us to serve as a powerful engine Rob Walton, chairman of the board of Wal- telescope automatically makes the requested of economic development and cultural change for Mart Stores, Inc., and co-chair of the University’s observations, then notifies the students by e-mail the entire state,” said University of Arkansas Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, said, that their data are available. The enabling Chancellor John A. White. “What the Walton “The investment we are making demonstrates our hardware is an automatic web-based observing Family has done will improve life in Arkansas for confidence in the University of Arkansas and its system on top of Kimpel Hall on campus (see generations to come, and we are grateful beyond potential for leadership in the global academic picture). On a winter night, this system can obtain words.” community. It is also an expression of our more than 500 images of the sky, each 30 x 20 arc “This gift will allow the University of See GIFT on page 3 See PROJECT on page 3 NOBEL PHYSICIST STEVEN CHU DELIVERS THE 2002 MAURER LECTURE Nobel Laureate Steven Chu delivered the polymer science. for Spectroscopy by the American Physical 2002 Robert D. Maurer Lecture “Laser Cooling Professor Chu also offered a physics Society, in 1987, was named the co-winner of the and Trapping: From Atomic clocks to Watching colloquium on March 29 on “Biology at the Single King Faisal International Prize for Science in Biomolecules One at a Time” in Spring this year. Molecule Level.” He said that the ability to look 1993, and won the Arthur Schawlow Prize for This year’s lecture was sponsored by the Physics at individual molecules has given researchers new Laser Science in 1994. In 1997, he was a co- Department, Fulbright College and the Arkansas insights into biological processes. For example, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics. He is also Space Grant Consortium. his studies of polymers using Deoxy-ribo Nucleic the recipient of the Humboldt Senior Scientist Professor Chu discussed how atoms can be Acid (DNA) have fundamentally altered current Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is a cooled with lasers to temperatures of 200 thinking of polymer dynamics by showing that member of the National Academy of Sciences and billionths of a degree above absolute zero. These identical molecules placed under identical the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. atoms can then be trapped and manipulated with conditions take several distinct paths to a new light. This technology has permitted the equilibrium state. UA Receives Gift...... 1 construction of ultra-precise atomic clocks, atom Steven Chu is the Theodore and Frances URSA Project...... 1 interferometers, and the achievement of “Bose Geballe Professor of Physics and Applied Physics Maurer Lecturer 2002...... 1 condensate” – a new state of matter. Prof. Chu at Stanford University. He received his Ph.D. in Faculty profiles: said that the optical trap is also used to trap 1976 from the University of California at Dr. Jiali Li...... 2 microscopic particles in water. These so-called Berkeley. After two years as a postdoctoral fellow Dr. Huaxiang Fu ...... 2 “optical tweezers” are widely used in biology. at Berkeley, he joined the technical staff at AT&T KIDS Program ...... 3 Chu described the methods that his group has Bell Laboratories in 1978, where he served as New Graduate Students ...... 4 developed to simultaneously visualize and Head of the Quantum Electronics Department Undergraduate News...... 4 manipulate single bio-molecules. He and other from 1983 to 1987. In 1987, he joined Stanford From the Chair...... 5 scientists have used these techniques to study the University. Graduate News...... 6 behavior of individual bio-molecules and bio- Professor Chu’s research is primarily in Alumni News...... 6 molecular systems in real time. His research group atomic physics, quantum electronics, and Faculty News/Awards...... 7 Thank You...... 8 has used this technique to study single DNA biophysics. He has published over 130 scientific IN THIS ISSUE... Scholarship Funds...... 8 molecules to address a number of problems in papers. Chu was awarded the Herbert Broida Prize Physics of Bio/Nanostructures: Dr. Jiali Li Jiali Li grew up in a suburb of JiaMuSi in last three years has been to fabricate 1-5 nm pores northeast China where she attended a local in silicon nitride membranes and detect DNA primary school. Her father wanted her to molecules. She played a major role in the become a music teacher, so she spent most of development of a feedback controlled ion beam her after-school hours taking music and dance sculpting system and made several discoveries on lessons. During her middle school years how to control nanopore dimensions. She is one of mathematics and physics became her favorite the major contributors of 3 pending patents and a subjects and she decided to become a scientist. Nature paper related to these discoveries. These In 1978 she passed the qualifying examination new techniques have revolutionary implications and entered the No.1 high school of JiaMuSi. for molecular and atomic scale evaluation of After finishing high school in 1981, she entered biopolymers. She says “my postdoctoral research HeiLongJiang University as a physics major. at Harvard has enhanced my experience in ultra She intended to be a theoretical physicist and high vacuum systems, and has trained me in the during the last year of her college she took a fields of nanotechnology and single DNA whole year of theoretical physics but decided to molecule detection.” study “something more practical.” Her wish Her current research interests are in the areas was granted in 1985 when she was admitted to of nanoscale materials science, optical be a graduate student in solid-state physics at spectroscopy, and their applications in biological the University of Science and Technology of systems. She is particularly excited about the China. She received her Master of Science her research once more. Eight years later in application of solid-state nanopores as single degree in 1988 and advanced to the Ph.D. 1999, she graduated with a Ph.D. in a rapidly molecule detectors and development of artificial program. During her graduate study there, she emerging field of biophysics, studying electron membranes and biosolar systems. designed and built two vacuum systems to and energy transfer kinetics in photosynthetic She will be joining the physics department as make and test combustible and poison gas reaction centers using lasers under the assistant professor of physics in fall 2002. sensors. She also acquired extensive hands-on supervision of Prof. M. Gunner. Professor Li brings a unique capability to our training on structure and composition analysis The training of vacuum technology in program in nano/biophysics area that will also of solid-state materials. In the beginning of China, laser optics and biotechniques in the US help us build bridges across disciplines to biology 1991, the last year of her Ph.D. research, she helped her to get a postdoctoral research and chemistry. left China to become a graduate student at City position in Profs. Golovchenko and Branton’s Professor Li’s favorite pastimes are University of New York. That decision delayed group in the Physics Department at Harvard hiking, playing and listening to music, and talking her Ph.D. degree and changed the direction of University. Her research at Harvard during the to her five-year-old daughter.

Computational Condensed Matter Physicis Dr. Huaxiang Fu Dr. Huaxiang Fu finished his Ph.D. in coupling between them are drastically different 1994 at Fudan University, Shanghai, China, from bulk semiconductor materials; (2) under the supervision of Professor Xide Xie. ferroelectric and piezoelectric oxides, a special From 1995 to 1998 he worked with Dr. Alex class of materials which can efficiently convert Zunger as a postdoctoral fellow at the National mechanical energy into electricity or vice versa; Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, (3) and organic/inorganic hybrid materials, Colorado. In 1999 Dr. Fu was a postdoctoral which combine the advantages of research associate at Carnegie Institution of semiconductors (with concrete functionalities) Washington, DC, working with Dr. R. E. and organic polymers (with structure diversity Cohen. In September of 2000 he became a and flexibility). These materials offer many faculty member at Camden Campus, part of technological applications. Another significant Rutgers University, the state university of New component of Dr. Fu’s research is to develop Jersey. In August of 2002 he will join the efficient computational methods to study physics department at the University of different material properties. Arkansas as an assistant professor. Dr. Fu likes to do things from scratch. He Dr. Fu’s research interest is in studying the says that although this tends to slow him down, properties of materials using computational he enjoys learning the details first hand and approaches. The material properties he studies accumulates a thorough knowledge of the include electronic structure, lattice vibration, problem. He also takes great delight in sharing optical transition, electrical conductance, and practical applications. Dr. Fu is particularly his knowledge with others. In addition to his pressure effect, electrical-field effect, and interested in the following types of materials: research and teaching, Dr. Fu likes jogging and electromechanical response. Most of Dr. Fu’s (1) semiconductor nanostructures, in which sports. research work is closely related to experiments electronic states, phonon vibrations, and the

2 The KIDS Program: Inquiry-Based Science and Engineering Education in Arkansas Middle Schools

The National Science Foundation has awarded University of Arkansas Physics, Electrical The outcome of the KIDS program will be a grant that, with matching funds from the University Engineering, and Microelectronics and Photonics middle school teachers who have learned the value of of Arkansas, provides $2.75 million to develop graduate students will partner with middle school and developed the skills to implement inquiry-based inquiry-based science and engineering education in teachers to teach 6th and 7th grade mathematics and instruction in mathematics, science, and engineering. Arkansas middle schools over a six-year period. science. Both graduate students and teachers will Their effort will result in a new generation of middle Each year, nine University of Arkansas Graduate undergo extensive training, during which they will school students who are self-confident and motivated Fellows and nine to twelve local (Fayetteville, actively develop the skills to work as a team. Then, as to learn science, have a thriving curiosity, see a direct Springdale, and Winslow) teachers will participate in a team, the teachers and graduate students will connection between learning and everyday the six-week summer program and related teaching develop inquiry-based laboratory experiments, phenomena, work successfully in teams, activities during the school year. integrating optics and photonics, with teachers communicate and present their ideas skillfully, and KIDS (K-12, IDo Science) is an providing the connection to the appropriate state are excited and prepared to further their knowledge interdisciplinary program focused on electronics and standards and curriculum. Graduate students will and interest in science, mathematics, and optics that will initiate a new effort to teach spend at least 10 hours per week in the classrooms engineering. mathematics, science, and technology in middle during the academic year teaching these modules Additionally, the KIDS program will begin an schools in Arkansas. It is based on the inquiry, or with the teachers. In addition, graduate students will effort in Arkansas to develop scientists who will take “learning through doing” paradigm. This is the come into the University laboratories twice a year to a greater interest in teaching and communicating premise that students who explore their own participate in workshops in which they build and science. They will begin their careers with a deeper curiosity, reach for their own ideas, and engage in characterize a chip and a laser. Parents and school understanding of their science, a greater ability to their own experiments, are experiencing inquiry and administrators will be provided with programs that express it to others, and a passion to improve K-12 innovation and hence are learning science. The will help them to understand inquiry-based learning education in their new communities. project goal is to develop inquiry-based physics and their role in supporting teachers and students The proposal was developed and submitted to education in Arkansas middle schools. learning science. the National Science Foundation by the program GIFT continued from page 1 PROJECT continued from page 1 team, which includes Fayetteville Public School Science and Math Curriculum Fellow Denise Airola, commitment to building a brighter future for the minutes in size (almost the size of the Moon). In Assistant Professor of Education Caroline Beller, K- state and the nearly three million men, women and addition to being a powerful teaching tool, the 12 outreach specialists Sarah Faitak and Lynne Hehr, children who call Arkansas home.” system has proven to be a superb research tool Professor Emeritus of Physics Art Hobson, Started in 1998, the Campaign for the also, doing as well at measuring the brightness of University Professor of Physics Greg Salamo, Twenty-First Century is a six-year effort to raise eclipsing binary stars from the middle of Associate Professor of Physics Gay Stewart, $500 million in private gift support by June 30, Fayetteville as one could do with a larger telescope evaluation and testing expert Ronna Turner, and 2004. A condition of receiving the $300 million in the Chilean Andes, and doing it faster! In fact, Microelectronics & Photonics Graduate Program gift is that the University commit to raising an this telescope now holds the record for producing Director Ken Vickers. additional $300 million for academic and support the most complete light curve of an eclipsing programs between January 1, 2002, and the end of binary star (WW Cam) with almost 6000 J. Lee Dawson (B.S. 1953) of the Campaign. observations obtained in only five months (before Searcy, Arkansas and native of Little Rock, Of the Walton family gift, $200 million will this, 600 observations was considered good). The Arkansas, died April 21, 2001. He served in the be used to establish and endow a new, university- project actually started before the grant was Navy during World War II and the Korean War wide undergraduate honors college and $100 funded when Physics major Ben Hood offered to and received the following awards: Combat million will be used to endow the University of buy a telescope for the project with some of his Action Ribbon, Good Conduct, Asiatic Pacific Arkansas Graduate School. scholarship money. The Physics Department Campaign, W.W. II Victory, Korean Service The honors college is designed to “capture” responded by funding the Robo-Dome, and then Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation - Korea. for the University those high achieving Arkansas the NSF grant bought the CCD camera. He was assigned to the destroyer U.S.S. natives who are lured out of state by colleges and Programming support has been provided by Dr. Lacy Nicholas in 1942 and 1943 doing sonar work universities with attractive scholarship programs. (telescope and dome), his graduate student Jeff Sabby and later to the U.S.S. Little. He was an It is also designed to attract extremely talented (camera), and visiting assistant professor and alumnus electronics instructor from 1946 until his out-of-state students. Wherever they come from, Tamara Snyder discharge in 1947. their matriculation at the University of Arkansas (web interface). Mr. Dawson applied and was accepted to greatly increases the likelihood that they will live So far, the the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in in Arkansas after graduation. Their presence will system has been 1945 while he was still aboard the U.S.S. Little. enlarge the talented leadership corps in science, used by a He entered the university in January 1948. technology, education, business, and the creative number of During his senior year the Korean War began fields needed to move the state forward students for their and he was re-called to active duty with the The $100 million to endow the University of Honors projects, Navy. After his discharge he returned to Arkansas Graduate School will be used to double including Ben Fayetteville with his wife and two small boys to the size of graduate enrollments to 5,500 by 2010 Hood, Amber complete his Bachelor of Science degree in in the University’s 34 doctoral and 96 master’s Straughn, and physics. programs, and to support the growth of University Forest Denger, as IBM employed Mr. Dawson in San Jose, research programs. Various endowments will be well as summer California for 15 years until he left that used to establish distinguished doctoral REU student company to work with a smaller electronic firm fellowships, graduate faculty endowed research Jennifer designing computer hardware. One son, chairs, and graduate student research fund to McGee. The full Timothy, preceded him in death in 1968. He is support the travel, research and equipment needs web system, survived by his widow, Meredith Martin of graduate students. In addition, $4 million will now in beta-test, will be classroom tested beginning Dawson, four children Ð Richard, Phillip, be used for a library support endowment in in July 2002. Eventually, it will be available to all Rebekah, and Daniel, thirteen grandchildren, support of graduate education. physics teachers in the state as well as to their three step grandchildren, and one great- Ð from UA News Release April 11, 2002 students. granddaughter. 3 Reflections is published by the Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, and distributed free to alumni and friends. This issue was edited by Surenda Singh, [email protected]. For additional copies, or to send information for next year’s issue, write to Ruby Lord at the above address, or e-mail [email protected]. See our web site at http://www.uark.edu/depts/physics/. News The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. 2002 PHYSICS GRADUATES Leanna F. Obenshain *Graduated with Honors Mary Ann Wise plans to attend the University of Arkansas to pursue a Master of Arts in physics. She will begin as a teaching assistant in the Physics Bachelor of Science Department this summer and hopes to teach high school physics after *Nadeem A. Akbar graduated Summa cum Laude. Nadeem received early completing her master’s degree. admission to the University of Arkansas Medical School in December 2001. He spent his junior year studying abroad at American University in Cairo, Egypt. Nadeem was selected to give the "Greetings from the Class of 2002" Master of Science address at the May 2002 General Commencement. Abdullah Al-Barakaty will continue to attend the Physics Department to work on his Ph.D. in condensed matter physics. John B. Clark graduated in August of 2001 and has been accepted into medical schools in North Carolina and at the University of Tulsa. Timothy J. Clingan completed a master’s in applied physics with Professor Paul Thibado. *Matthew D. Covington graduated Summa cum Laude in May 2002 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Matt wrote an honors thesis in physics and a Daniel B. Erenso will continue working toward a Ph.D. in physics at the second one in philosophy and received Summa cum Laude for both theses. He University of Arkansas. He has been working on quantum statistical and plans to attend graduate school at the University of California, Santa Cruz. squeezing properties of two level atomic systems, which has led to four publications in PRL, PRA, and JOSAB. Currently he is working on quantum Michael J. Devin plans to attend graduate school in physics. statistical and squeezing properties of semiconductor quantum well structure *April L. Fortner graduated Magna cum Laude. April plans to attend the and generation of entangled states via quantum dots. In the future he plans to University of Arkansas to pursue a Master of Arts in physics. She hopes to explore more efficient ways of applying these systems in quantum eventually teach high school or college physics. information, quantum communication and quantum computation. Ryan D. Godsey graduated in December 2001 and is currently working for Aaron M. George is continuing his pursuit of a Ph.D. in physics at the Pense Consulting in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. University of Arkansas. *Tracy L. Hoke will graduate with honors in August 2002 and will continue André M. Guérin completed a master’s in applied physics with Professor attending the University of Arkansas in pursuit of a Master of Arts in physics. Min Xiao. Her master's thesis deals with the secondary physics education of young women. Tracy is a fellow in the GK-12 program, which works with middle- school teachers and students to improve physics education at that level. Doctor of Philosophy Husam H. Abu-Safe accepted a post-doctoral position with Prof. Hameed *Ben A. Hood graduated Summa cum Laude and will be completing his Naseem in the University of Arkansas Electrical Engineering Department bachelor’s degree in physics and computer engineering in June 2002. He will doing research on crystallization of amorphous silicon. be attending graduate school on a Marshall Scholarship at the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland, where he hopes to work specifically on extra Ahmad M. Al-Yacoub is now an assistant professor at the Jordan University solar planets with Drs. Andrew Collier Cameron and Keith Horne. of Science and Technology. Paul M. Lewis is attending graduate school in mathematics at the University Zhao Ding will graduate with his Ph.D. this summer. He plans to continue of Arkansas. with the University of Arkansas Physics Department in a post-doctoral position doing research on the atomic surface processes for gallium-arsenide. *David Allen New graduated Summa cum Laude. He is now attending graduate school at MIT. Aqiang Guo will graduate this summer. He plans to continue in a post- doctoral position studying photorefractive phenomena. Christopher J. Schilling plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a Ph.D. in physics on string theory. Hongjun Yao is wowrking as a technology/product engeneer at High Connection Density, Inc. in California. *Amber N. Straughn graduated Magna cum Laude. She plans to pursue graduate studies at Arizona State University on a GAANN Fellowship (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need) to earn her Ph.D. in astrophysics. She hopes to study the early universe/cosmology. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT NEWS Nadeem Akbar, a Fulbright College Senior Scholar and Rhodes Ronald W. Toland graduated with a 4.0 GPA and began working as a staff Scholarship Finalist, graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2002. scientist at the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center in January 2001. Professor Lin Oliver was his thesis advisor. Nadeem received early admission *Brandon E. Wolfe graduated Cum Laude and will be attending graduate to the University of Arkansas Medical School in December 2001. school on a fellowship at the University of Arizona. Ashley Altom will participate in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates here at the University of Arkansas in the Bachelor of Arts summer of 2002. Stephanie B. Coleman is studying to be a physical therapist. Michael Barnes, junior physics major, was selected as a 2001-2002 Barry Andy L. Felts is working on his own on a high performance automotive Goldwater Scholar. He was also awarded a 2002-2003 Robert D. Maurer carburetor system. Physics Research Fellowship. During Summer 2002, Michael will participate in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for *Jared K. Henderson will graduate with honors in August 2002. This Undergraduates at Cornell University. During the summer of 2001, Michael summer he is working as the Operations Manager of the NASA Academy at participated in his first Research Experience for Undergraduates at the Goddard Space Flight Center. In October he will be moving to Dallas University of Illinois. permanently to work as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company. 4 FROM THE CHAIR

was presented to Associate Professor Gay lack of adequate space for teaching and research. June 2002 Stewart; Professor Min Xiao received the Master We must meet this most critical need if we are to Researcher Award; and the Master Advisor Award realize the opportunities offered to us by the ear Friends, went to Associate Professor William “Lin” Walton family gift, continue to compete at the D Oliver. highest levels, and recruit the kinds of productive, Greetings from Fayetteville. It is my The department has hired two new assistant talented faculty and students you see featured in pleasure to bring you up to date on the events of professors. Dr. Jiali Li, currently a postdoctoral these pages. the past year once again. research associate at Harvard with expertise in We certainly appreciate your continued This was a particularly good year for the nano-biophysics, will join the department in generous support of the Physics Department. Physics Department. The department granted 16 August 2002. Dr. Huaxiang Fu, whose expertise Your contributions allow us to offer academic bachelor’s degrees, five masters and five PhDs. lies in computational condensed matter physics, scholarships and to support many student Our majors have continued to excel in nationally will also join the department at the same time. activities which we would not otherwise be able competitive programs. The number of students Awards for research reached a new high of $3.7 to do. Please keep us posted on the progress of accepted into the Research Experience for million last year. Our success reflects the stature your careers. Write to us about job opportunities Undergraduate (REU) programs around the of our faculty and the quality of their research at for new graduates and share your memories and country has continued to increase. In addition, the national level. anecdotes of colleagues, teachers, and yourself several of our students have won national and Perhaps the most exciting development of while at the University of Arkansas. state scholarships and grants, including the last year is the $300 million gift by the Walton After seven years as chair, it is time for a SILO/SURF grants as well as Goldwater, Family Charitable Foundation to the University. change for me. I am returning to full-time Marshall and NSF Graduate Fellowships for These funds will be used to endow a university- research and teaching on June 30. I have enjoyed graduate study. In recognition of the wide undergraduate honors college and to working with my special colleagues and staff in Department’s continued success, the Office of establish distinguished doctoral fellowships, the physics department. Professor William “Lin” Postgraduate Felloships, awarded its first ever endowed research chairs, and a graduate student Oliver takes over as chair starting on July 1. I gold medal to the Physics Department. research fund to support the travel, research and wish him all the best. Such student success is a reflection of a equipment needs of graduate students. This gift dedicated faculty. Not surprisingly, physics will offer us exciting opportunities for growth With my best wishes, faculty members swept college awards in all three and progress. categories this year. The Master Teacher Award Our biggest challenge continues to be the Surendra Singh, Chair

Elizabeth Bulla, Heather Corely, Steven Fitzhugh, Mica Lunt, Jacob Arkansas-Oklahoma Center for Space and Planetary Sciences. The team McElderry, and John Vickers were awarded Physics Faculty Fellowships worked on discovering what happens to dust particles on the surface of in recognition of their superior scholastic achievement. asteroids when impact or volcanism disturbs the particles. The experiment Matt Covington, a Fulbright College Senior Scholar, won a National the U of A team designed was conducted on NASA’s reduced gravity facility Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship in April 2002. Matt graduated in a military KC-135 plane that flies 30-40 parabolas — steep climbs and Summa Cum Laude in May 2002 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. dives, over the Gulf of Mexico — because the gravity on Earth is much Matt wrote an honors thesis under Professor Bill Harter and wrote a second stronger than the micro-gravity conditions on asteroids. thesis in philosophy, and he received Summa Cum Laude for both. He plans Jared Henderson was awarded a George D. Lingelbach Award, given to attend graduate school at University of California, Santa Cruz. annually to an outstanding physics major, in April 2002 and was selected for Joshua A. Daily, a fall 2001 freshman in the physics honors program, was honorable mention as a member of the 2002 USA Today College Academic awarded a Bodenhamer Fellowship. Team. He also received a NASA Academy Research Scholarship at Goddard Space Flight in summer 2001 and was selected in summer 2002 as Molly Darragh will participate in a Summer 2002 National Science the Student Leadership Team Operations Manager of the NASA Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates here at the Academy at Goddard Space Flight Center. Jared was a fall 2001 Rhodes University of Arkansas. Scholarship Finalist, and though he did not receive the Rhodes, he was Allen Doyel and Derrick Tucker were each awarded a Charles B. offered a job by one of the interviewing panelists. He is one of only two Richardson Senior Fellowship for their excellence in undergraduate graduating seniors in the nation to be hired by that particular corporation. research. Jared will graduate with honors in December 2002. James Matt Doyle, Michael A. Barnes, and David G. Norris were each Ben Hood graduated Summa Cum Laude under Professor Claud Lacy and awarded a Robert D. Maurer Physics Research Fellowship for 2002-2003 is completing his bachelor’s in physics and computer engineering in June to help them continue their outstanding scholastic achievement and research 2002. He was one of 20 outstanding undergraduates in the nation to be in physics. selected as a member of the 2002 USA Today All-College Academic First Team and is the first UA student to receive that honor. Ben was also one of Lynn Endicott, junior physics major in the College Honors Program, was only 40 students nationwide to receive a Marshall Scholarship and was a awarded a Sturgis Honors Scholars Study Abroad Grant. Harry S. Truman Scholarship Finalist. In addition he received the Admiral Nicholas Farrer, a past recipient of the George D. Lingelbach Award, William C. Bryson Scholarship, a 2001-2002 SILO Undergraduate received a fellowship from Sandia National Laboratories for a Summer Research Fellowship, and was a Gates Cambridge Scholarship Finalist. 2001 program, during which he collaborated with Drs. Eric Jones and Kevin The University of Arkansas Alumni Association also honored Ben at the Leung. 2002 Senior Honor Citation banquet held at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni Ryan Godsey, Amber Straughn, Mike Meyer, and Jim Czlapinski were House in spring 2002. The Senior Honor Citation was established by the selected by NASA to participate in a Summer 2001 experiment for the Arkansas Alumni Association 37 years ago to recognize the senior man and

5 woman who exhibit outstanding academic achievement, campus and Research Award, received an Arkansas Academy of Science Award for community involvement, and leadership. The citation includes a personal best contributed talk, and contributed to an article in the May 25, 2001 issue memento, a $1,000 award, and permanent recognition on the Honor Wall at of Science on transferring polarized electrons into a semiconductor surface. the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. In Spring 2002, Ben received the Daniel Erenso presented papers at the 2001 Optical Society of America Ryan Allen Award for his service and dedication to University Programs. Annual Meeting in Newport Beach, California, contributed to three papers The Ryan Allen award was created May 4, 2000 to reward those students who published in Physical Review Letters, Physical Review A, and Journal of the participated as members of University Programs for their entire Optical Society of America B, contributed to three papers accepted for undergraduate careers and to recognize their service to the organization and publication in Coherence and Quantum Optics VIII, and to one paper to the campus community. Ben Hood has held several positions in University accepted for publication by Physical Review A. He was also awarded an Programs, including being a committee member and serving as the ICSC World Laboratory Fellowship and a travel grant for attending the chairperson of the Issues and Ideas Committee in the 1999-2000 school year. National Conference for Black Physics Students at Alabama A&M Among Ben’s many accomplishments was the Hunger Banquet, a new annual University. program that raises awareness about hunger in the world and has raised over $7,000 over three years for various charities. Ben, a Barry Goldwater Aaron George co-authored with Laurent Bellaiche and Jorge Iniguez of Scholar and Bodenhamer Scholar also, twice received the nationally Rutgers University an article published in the September 6, 2001 issue of competitive Tylenol Scholarship. Nature on findings about properties of piezoelectric compounds and electric fields. He and Ahmad Al-Yacoub gave invited presentations on their Denise Malan and Greg H. White, outstanding physics undergraduates, research at international meetings in Singapore and France. Aaron were awarded Paul C. Sharrah Scholarships. contributed to an article for the Fundamental Physics of Ferroelectrics 2001: Michael Meyer studied abroad during the 2001-2002 academic year at 11th Williamsburg Ferroelectric Workshop at the American Institute of University of Essex in England. Physics in Melville, NY. He also contributed to an article published in Nature David Allen New, a Fulbright College Senior Scholar majoring in electrical magazine and two papers published in Physical Review B (Rapid engineering and physics, was awarded a 2001 SILO Undergraduate Communications). Research Fellowship. He graduated Summa cum Laude in December 2001 Amjad Nazzal contributed to the article "Photoluminescence from Single and is now attending graduate school at MIT. CdSe Quantum Rods," accepted for publication in 2002 by the Journal of David G. Norris, a senior physics major and Bodenhamer Fellow, was Luminescence. selected as a 2001-2002 Barry Goldwater Scholar. In addition, he was one Fuad Rawwagah presented a paper at the 2001 Optical Society of America’s of 80 students nationwide to receive a Morris K. Udall Scholarship for the Annual Meeting in Newport Beach, California, and co-authored an article 2001-2002 academic year. He was also awarded a 2002-2003 Robert D. published in Physical Review A. Maurer Physics Research Fellowship. David, a National Merit Scholar Juan Serna received the Physics Department 2002-2003 Lloyd Ham/ and U.S. Presidential Scholar, was a past recipient of the Chickasaw AAPT Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award. Nation Education Foundation Scholarship, the Earl Collins Foundation Scholarship Award of Kiwanis International, and a SILO Undergraduate Shabnam Siddiqui was awarded an ICSC World Laboratory Fellowship Research Fellowship. During academic year 2001-2002, David studied for research that involves looking for quantum correlations in quantum dots. abroad at the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland. Brian Sawyer, a math and physics major, received 2001 and 2002 SILO Undergraduate Research Fellowships with Professor Reeta Vyas and he NEWS ON OUR ALUMNI & FRIENDS will also participate in a 2002 National Science Foundation Research John Carter (Ph.D. 2001) accepted a postdoctoral position at Los Alamos Experience for Undergraduates at the University of California at San National Laboratory. Diego. Brian was selected as the 2001 Fulbright College Presidential Christy Emery (M.S. 2001) joined the Ph. D. program in Microelectronics- Scholar. This is the third consecutive year that a physics major has Photonics at the University of Arkansas. represented Fulbright College for this distinguished award. Laura Fields (B.S. 2001) is currently working on a master’s in Mathematical Amber Straughn participated in a National Science Foundation Research Physics at Cambridge, supported by an NSF Graduate Fellowship. She has Experience for Undergraduates at the MIT Haystack Observatory and chosen Cornell for her Ph.D. in physics. received honorable mention in the 2002 National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship competition. She also contributed to an article Ed Hach (Ph.D. 2001) has accepted a visiting assistant professor position published in 2001 in Information Bulletin on Variable Stars. She presented in the UA physics department for 2002-2003. her work from the MIT REU program at the American Astronomical Society Hongxiao Meng (Ph.D. 1998) accepted a research associate position at Texas meeting in January 2002. Amber plans to pursue graduate studies on a A&M University. fellowship at Arizona State University. Ken Phillips (M.S. 1989) spent four and a half years at Madisonville Brandon Wolfe participated in a National Science Foundation Research Community College in Kentucky building a laser optics technology program Experience for Undergraduates at the James Franck Institute at the followed by 4.5 years at Owensboro Community College (OCC), also in University of Chicago during summer 2001. He graduated Cum Laude in Kentucky, achieving tenure and improving their physics program. About 4 May 2002 and will be attending graduate school on a fellowship at the years ago, he left OCC and came to Guilford Technical Community College University of Arizona. in Greensboro NC. The program there is larger and well established. For the last four years, he has been the Department Chair of Physical Sciences overseeing six faculty members. GRADUATE STUDENT NEWS Michael Henry (Faculty 1995-2002) has accepted a faculty position at the Ahmad Al-Yacoub co-authored an article published in 2001 in Applied University of the Virgin Islands. Physics Letters and contributed to an article for the 2001 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting Proceedings. He also gave invited presentations at Yujie Ding (Faculty 2000-2002) accepted a faculty position at Lehigh international meetings in Singapore and France. University, PA. Andy W. Brown received a University of Arkansas Doctoral Fellowship. Howard Carmichael (Faculty 1982-1989) accepted the Dan Walls Chair in Quantum Optics at the University of Aukland, New Zealand. Daniel Bullock won the 2001 Sigma Xi Audrey E. Harvey Graduate

6 FACULTY NEWS POWERFUL AND EFFICIENT PIEZOELECTRICS EFFICIENT ALL-OPTICAL SWITCH University of Arkansas researchers have found that when certain Min Xiao, professor of physics, Hai Wang, a postdoctoral associate, alloys of technological interest pass through a certain state, their energy and graduate student David Goorskey have used electromagnetically becomes optimized, creating an effect ten times that which is currently induced transparency (EIT) to create an all-optical switch. This is the first available commercially. This could make these alloys, piezoelecttric experimental demonstration of efficient all-optical switching in such compounds used in medical ultrasound and naval sonar, more powerful system with a high degree of control. Such an all-optical switch has and efficient. Graduate student Aaron George, assistant professor of potential applications in the fields of all-optical communications and physics Laurent Bellaiche, and visiting professor Jorge Iniguez of optical computing, which may be made more efficient by using less light Rutgers University reported their findings in the September 6 issue of energy than traditional methods. Xiao and his colleagues used a gas of Nature. prepared rubidium atoms inside an optical ring cavity. By changing the frequency of a controlling laser beam coupled to one of the atomic INNOVATION IN EDUCATION RECOGNIZED transitions, the intensity of the cavity output field, which is coupled to Ken Vickers, Research Professor and Dr. John Todd won the another atomic transition, can be changed by a factor of 30, producing Decision Sciences Institute 2001 award for Instructional Innovation for “on” and “off” states. The switch works because of the nonlinear their course MGMT 5383, Intra/Entrepreneurship of Technology. enhancement that creates a large intensity change in the cavity resulting from a small change in the frequency or intensity of the controlling laser beam. Such all-optical switching, which requires only weak intensity FACULTY AWARDS light, may one day require only a single photon to perform, although this has not yet been demonstrated, Xiao said. Physics Faculty Honored by the College A COLORFUL APPROACH TO RELATIVITY AND The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences honored three physics QUANTUM THEORY faculty members with awards for outstanding teaching, research, and William Harter, Professor of Physics, has developed a novel advising. The Master Teacher Award was presented to Associate approach to quantum theory that uses color and light waves to derive the Professor Gay Stewart; Professor Min Xiao received the Master basic equations of relativity and quantum theory. Harter published his Researcher Award; and the Master Advisor Award went to Associate derivation in the Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy. “The new results, I Professor William “Lin” Oliver. Each year award nominations are sought believe, represent a significant paradigm shift in that they show that in the three categories from 19 departments in the Fulbright College. quantum wave behavior has simple and beautiful properties which were “These individuals have been selected by their peers as model overlooked, and that a truly simpler and more ‘down-to-earth’ view of the professionals. We are proud of their talents and dedication,” said Randall world is a fundamentally quantum one,” Harter said. Woods, dean of the college. Harter's approach is based on interfering light waves of pure color Gay Stewart was honored as a Master Teacher for her outstanding or frequency, such as those found in lasers. Harter shows that by contributions to teaching and mentoring physics majors. Wally Cordes, exploiting ideas about wave interference, the basic equations of relativity Professor of Chemistry and widely regarded as one of the best teachers and quantum theory can be derived in a few lines of simple algebra— on this campus, said that Gay Stewart is “well near the top teacher on this simple enough for high school students to grasp. “The main idea is based campus.” Ryan Coffee, an undergraduate, echoed other students when he on the statement that ‘all colors of light go the same speed,’ ” Harter said. said “She is not only an amazing teacher, but also a wonderful mentor. This observation is related to the way one can find location, speed and She has changed my life in a way no other could have and for that I owe time using laser wave interference in an elementary Global Positioning all of my career success to her. I am right now fulfilling a dream I never System, or GPS. Simple wave interference, a duet between two colors or would have dreamt were it not for Dr. Stewart.” frequencies, is the key idea here. Min Xiao, who was named Master Researcher, received his award for his tireless work and creativity that have established him as a leader ART HOBSON IN CHINESE in the areas of quantum optics and atomic physics. Since joining the physic department in 1991, Prof. Xiao has published papers in some of The second edition of Physics: Concepts and Connections by Art the most prestigious journals in physics and obtained more than $ 20 Hobson, professor emeritus of physics, has been translated into Chinese million in funding. Professor Wolfgang Ketterle of M.I.T. (Nobel and was published this month by the Shanghai Scientific and Technical Laureate 2001) said in a letter of nomination that “his work is Publishers. The textbook, written in a conceptual, non-technical style internationally recognized and frequently cited by other leaders in the suitable for non-science college students, presents the major ideas of field.” Professor Xiao was also honored by an Alumni Distinguished physics with a strong emphasis on modern physics and on the social and Achievement Award for research in 1999. philosophical implications of physics. It covers several physics-related William Oliver was honored as a Master Adviser for his role in topics not usually discussed in conventional texts, such as global mentoring physics majors. Suzanne MacCray, Assoc. Director of Honors warming, energy and society, nuclear weapons, scientific methodology, Studies, had high praise for Lin's role in the recent successes of Fulbright pseudoscience, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, and students in winning national recognition. Many of his advisees have won contemporary physics. Professor Hobson plans a several-week visit to prestigious state and national awards, including SILO/SURF grants as China later this year to discuss with physics educators how to use the well as Goldwater, Udall, Marshall, and NSF Graduate Fellowship, and book effectively. He is currently at work on the third edition, to be have graduated with highest academic honors. Laura Fields, a National published by the Prentice Hall Publishing Company in 2002. The second Science Foundation Fellow, echoes many of his advisees when she edition is in use at 112 colleges and in eight high schools in the United speaks of the friendship, care, sensitivity and respect which characterize States. his interactions with students.

7

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