Summer Undergraduate Research Colloquium
28 SEP 2021, 301 VAN, 3:30p
(1) "Frequency Correlation Measurements of Wavefront-shaped Light in Round, Square, and Rectangular Multimode Fiber Core Geometries" by Mr. Hank Hammer
Mentor: Prof. Ravi Uppu; Supported by a Wert Summer Research Grant
Round-core Multimode fibers (MMFs) have been extensively investigated due to their applicability in endoscopic imaging and optical communication. However, alternative core geometries of MMF fibers (e.g., square or rectangular) have not been investigated until recently for wavefront shaping. In this research project, I perform wavefront shaping through MMFs using the Lee hologram method and conclude that both square and rectangular core MMFs present attractive frequency bandwidths when focusing light at and away from the distal end of the MMF, enabling new experimental opportunities for MMFs in photonics.
(2) "A detailed analysis of the soft X-ray spectrum of MCSNR J0541-6659" by Mr. Jeff Leiberton
Mentor: Prof. Casey DeRoo; Supported by a Van Allen Summer Research Grant
Supernova remnants are crucial to our understanding of galactic evolution processes. The soft band x-ray allows us to determine the physical properties of SNRs such as temperature, age, and chemical content. I present the results of my soft band x-ray spectral analysis of supernova remnant J0541-6659, and discuss the resulting physical properties.
(3) "Development of Spectroscopic Tools for Applications to Small Research Telescopes" by Mr. Will Golay
Mentors: Prof. Robert Mutel and Dr. Caroline Roberts; Supported by a Wert Summer Research Grant
High quality spectrometers are a noticeably absent feature from small, optical research telescopes. We propose two designs, one that accommodates for high resolution requirements, and another that is capable of extended source spectroscopy. Both designs are easily integrated into existing imaging systems, even simultaneously.
(4) "Using a Camsizer to Optimize Grain Size-Based Hydraulic Conductivity Estimation For Ice-Marginal Sediments" by Mr. Zachary Vig
Mentor: Prof. Jessica Meyer (Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences); Supported by NSF-IUSE grant
Characterization of groundwater flow in ice-marginal environments is an exceedingly difficult task when using conventional sieve analysis. The aim of our work is to utilize Camsizer technology to improve both the accuracy and efficiency of grain-sized based hydraulic conductivity measurements in order to better characterize contaminant flow in these sediments. By analyzing the sand fraction of several down-hole sediment samples, we have shown that there may be some efficacy to these methods, although further analysis of fine-grained material is needed to make concrete estimates of subsurface plume movement for our site and similar ice marginal environments.
(5) "Automation and Quality Control for Upgrades to the CMS Outer Tracker" by Mr. Maxwell Herrmann
Mentors: Prof. Jane Nachtman and Prof. Yasar Onel; Supported by a Wert Summer Research Grant
The LHC is planning an upgrade program which will smoothly bring the luminosity up to 5×10^34 cm-2 s-1 , to possibly reach an integrated luminosity of 3000 fb-1 at the end of the next decade. This scenario, called the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), will require an upgrade to the LHC detectors known as the Phase-2 upgrade. The current CMS Outer Tracker will be replaced by a completely new device to handle the demanding operating conditions and take advantage of the delivered luminosity. In this presentation, some design choices for the CMS Outer Tracker upgrade are discussed along with some highlights of the assembly and testing developments.
(6) "Design and Construction of a Cosmic Ray Detector Accessible to Middle and High School Students" by Mr. James Thompson
Mentor: Prof. Jane Nachtman ; Supported by a Wert Summer Research Grant
This talk goes over the design process and beginning of construction of a cosmic ray detector for the purpose of introducing middle and high school students to cosmic ray detection. This includes the thought process behind the choice of materials and detection methods so that it is as accessible to these students as possible. As well as the beginning of assembling the detector itself.
(7) "CMS Barrel Timing Layer Upgrade" by Ryan Parian
Mentors: Prof. Jane Nachtman and Yasar Onel; Supported by a Wert Summer Research Grant
This talk will give information on CMS and the University's BTL cooling plate prototype. It will include results and analysis for the tests conducted on the plate at Fermilab over the summer.