Modern Physics Facilities
The turn of the 20th century marked the revolution in the world of physics that is called Modern Physics. Quantum theory has made it possible to explain phenomena which cannot be explained by Newton's Laws of motion, or Maxwell's Equations of electromagnetism.
In addition to the study of classical mechanics and electromagnetism, the physics program at Manhattan College offers a comprehensive study of Modern Physics. Physics majors are required to take courses in Atomic and Nuclear Physics as well as Quantum Mechanics in their junior and senior years as well as taking the associated Modern Physics Lab sequence. Also, the department offers elective courses in Solid State Physics as well as Astrophysics which rely extensively on quantum concepts.
While the foundation of physics courses concentrate on developing a deep understanding of classical concepts along with the associated mathematical skills physicists need to describe the world, our program takes considerable time to introduce the students to the great discoveries of the 20th century. From Einstein to Planck to Pauli and Feynman we explore the hidden quantum structure which lies below the microscopic universe we inhabit in our classical lives.
Modern Physics Lab
While required for physics majors in the department as a two semester sequence it is open to all students (both chemistry and science education majors have taken it in recent history). Physics majors usually take the lab together with a theory course called Atomic and Nuclear Physics which is an introduction to the field of Quantum Mechanics. Both the lab and theory course is under the direction of Dr. Louis Uffer.
"Modern" is a strange word to physicists since apparently anything in the current century is called 'modern" and so the lab functions as an introduction to those ideas which have dominated physics since 1905 when Einstein "explained" the photoelectric effect which we use to measure Plank's Constant in the repetition of a classic, not classical, experiment.
|
Brag Diffraction Experiment |
Though the classic (e.g. Frank Hertz, Rydberg) experiments are part of the lab, we also do Gamma-Spectroscopy with a computer controlled multi-channel analyzer, examine electron and nuclear spin resonance, use a Bata spectrometer to study Beta decay (and demonstrate the existence of positrons) and use Hall Effect measurements to determine the Band Gap in a semiconductor, among others.
The lab is also the prerequisite for Senior Experimental Lab where students are expected to expand on their experience to do more original work in the lab using the tools they have become familiar with. Here they also do more advanced experiments, e.g. studying superconductivity using a S.Q.U.I.D. Associated with the lab is a student machine shop (Sawzall, drill press, metal lathe, etc.), a photographic darkroom and a well equipped electronics lab that students can use for both school and personal projects. The electronics lab is required for computer science majors but the facility is available to physics majors who want to develop specialized circuitry as part of their research.
Page last updated January 2005
