JR Vanhoy, F.D. Correll, J.H.Huddle, D.M.Moore Educational Activities at the USNA 5SDH-1 J.R.Vanhoy, F.D.Correll, J.H.Huddle, D.M.Moore

Outline Background –USNA –Students Equipment –Instrumentation Lab –Accelerator Lab Uses –SP434 Nuclear Physics Course –Physics Major Research –Oceanography Capstone Projects –External Contacts

Background: USNA

Background: Students Technical Core Professional Training ~Std Physics Major Pgm All advanced physics courses have 2 hour labs

Equipment: Pelletron 5SDH-1

Usage: Nuclear Physics Course Instrumentation – 6 weeks –NaI and DAQ Layout –HpGe Detectors –Compton Scattering –  Coincidence Accelerator – 6-8 weeks –Parts is parts –Accelerator Operations –PIXE –Coulomb Excitation –P + 12C Resonances –P + 27Al Resonance – oxide layers –RBS

Usage: Nuclear Physics Course NaI and DAQ Layout –Week One NaI Response Function NIM & CAMAC Module discussion –Week Two “Oops, someone broke in and dismantled all the equipment”

Usage: Nuclear Physics Course HpGe Detector – 152 Eu Spectrum Odd-odd nucleus: 2-mode decay Practice using “Table of Isotopes” –Fiestaware Plate – 238 U decay scheme Practice using “Wall Chart” and “Table of Isotopes” Reasons behind  vs  vs  decay Data for later HW on  particle penetrabilities

Usage: Nuclear Physics Course Accelerator Operations –Students learn to drive –Experience with ion optics

Usage: Nuclear Physics Course

Optimum Number of Students = 2 Jobs –Driver –Data acquisition –Analysis 1 experiment can be run all day MUST review whole experiment next day in class

Usage: Nuclear Physics Course Gleanings –mix practical skills & book smarts –2 students per lab class (maybe 3) –Divide jobs, promote independent/team work –“You found it, You fix it” –Problems are educational experiences too –2 instructors per lab

Usage: Nuclear Physics Course Coulomb Excitation p Ta –“determine nuclear shape: Q” –energy loss by projectiles dE/dx –detector efficiency, solid angles,… –approximations 181Ta is not even-even Use proton xs instead of  production xs Ignore angular dependance p 181 Ta

p measure  at 90 o 181 Ta 7/ Ta L=2

expt’l values = b evaluated Q = 3.3 b

Usage: Nuclear Physics Course p + 12C resonances –Week One Chamber setup and configuration Thin target prep SB detectors: ground loops & noise –Week Two Resonance vs Rutherford Spin and Lifetimes

Usage: Nuclear Physics Course p + 27 Al997-keV Resonance –Fine points of Accelerator operation: Feedback systems Particle trajectories –surprise measurement of Oxide layers Slits GVM CPO } needle

~100 nm

Usage: Physics Major Research Topics: –Development of Ion Microprobe –Fourier Analysis of Feedback System –Multiparameter DAQ Using Kmax –Development of Scanning Ion Milliprobe –2-D Elemental Mapping Using RBS –Feasibility Study for Isotopic Analysis

Usage: Oceanography Capstone Projects P.A. Rona, National Geographic v182, 105 (1992)

Usage: Oceanography Capstone Projects Gleanings –Students not sure what they want to discover –Difficult to control quality of final product –Provides opportunity for YOU to learn –Typically low yield projects

Usage: External Contacts Professional –Anthropology & Archeology –Assays Public Service –“meteorites”

Usage: Public Service

“Meteorites”

Summary HELP! Assistant Professor Inquiries may be sent via to Search updates will be posted on Search Committee, Physics Department, U.S. Naval Academy,572 Holloway Road, Annapolis, MD