physics
Big Problems, Small Solutions
July 19, 2012
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: Biotechnology, CSU Northridge, engineering, physics, science education, student research
Some of the biggest problems in applied science – such as personalized genome mapping and affordable renewable energy – require the aid of some of the world’s smallest devices. In the meticulously maintained clean room at CSU Northridge, students create and test these nanotech devices under the direction of Assistant Professor Henk Postma.
Going from Theory to Reality
How does a dual-isotope rubidium magnetometer work?
March 16, 2011
Category: News & Notes
Tags: CSU East Bay, labs, physics
Let’s hear from CSU East Bay physics professor Derek Kimball.
After all, the machine is in his lab, where he uses it to try to see how gravity alone might alter the axis of a spinning atom. (His work is mentioned in “Trying to Catch Gravitational Waves,” the latest feature in “A Closer Look.” )
So, Dr. Kimball, how does a dual-isotope rubidium magnetometer work?
“The rubidium atoms are contained in a glass cell with special anti-relaxation coating on the inner surface that enables atomic spins to remain polarized (oriented in a particular direction) for up to one million bounces off the cell walls. Read more »
Trying to catch gravitational waves
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU East Bay, CSU Fullerton, LIGO, physics, research, San Jose State
Not waiting for a supernova, CSU researchers focus on mirrors
Theoretically, Albert Einstein is a physics icon. So… It doesn’t matter. His theories still get double- and triple-checked.
For example, to confirm Einstein’s general theory of relativity, astrophysicists by the score, including some in the CSU, keep trying to spot – if only for a millisecond – gravitational waves. As yet, none has.
Among those contributing to the effort are CSU Fullerton’s Joshua Smith and his students. Along with several others in the CSU, they have been part of an international search party of physicists – called the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). Read more »
A force to attract physics teachers, PhysTEC open house at CSULB April 9
March 10, 2011
Category: News & Notes
Tags: CSU Long Beach, Events, physics, science education
Looking for educators with electromagnetic personalities, the PhysTEC program at California State University, Long Beach will host an open house for high school physics teachers and their students Saturday, April 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
PhysTEC, the National Physics Teacher Education Coalition, promotes the recruitment and development of undergraduate and graduate students looking to teach high-school physics or physical sciences. Read more »
