PHYSICS FLASH
    News from the Department of Physics ~ October 2008

ASU PHYSICS
Department of Physics
Arizona State University
PO Box 871504
Tempe, AZ 85287
480.965.3561

A summer of science

ASU Physics undergrads participate in REUs

 While summer may be a time of vacations, getaways, rest and relaxation for many, ASU Physics undergrads are choosing to continue their exploration of science throughout the summer through participation in REUs - or Research Experiences for Undergraduates. An REU provides undergraduates with an opportunity to participate in research at the forefront of science. Several ASU Physics undergrads participated in REUs this past summer. Here are a few highlights of their experiences:

 Chris Friedline
     Chris spent the summer at the University of Washington in Seattle working for Dr. David Cobden in the nanodevices lab.  His work involved the replication of previous methods of harvesting single atomic layer grapheme, and improvements on the method and imagining techniques.  Using colloidal gold, he was able to enhance the exfoliating effects producing multiple samples of graphene to be used in nanodevices.  Growing Vanadium dioxide nanowire on top of this graphene produced VO2 fields that went through a insulator/metal transition instantaneously without domain walls at a lower temperature than regular VO2 wires grown of silicon dioxide.

Andrew Gamalski
     Andrew participated in a REU at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Alongside Physics Professor Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, he researched grapheme, a 1-atom thick layer of graphite that has a peculiar band structure. His specific project focused on fabricating a carbon nanotube/graphene hybrid device to allow for measurements of the conductivity at the carbon nanotube/graphene interface. He utilized several experimental techniques including scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and learned how to perform electron beam lithography. 

Scott MacDonald
     Scott spent six weeks in China studying aspects of Chinese history, economy, and globalization.  Gaining a personal perspective of the country provided MacDonald with insight on future economic, political and environmental issues concerning China and the United States, insights that he intends to apply to his future academic goals in the sciences.

Alex Matyushov
      Alex participated in an 11-week internship at the University of Pennsylvania to investigate the growth of carbon nanotubes. Working with Professor Charlie Johnson's physics group, his goal was to refine the process of chemical  vapor deposition with ultra-low gas flow rate in order to

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Student Spotlight:


Stephanie Cope

(Stephanie Cope joined ASU Physics in Fall 2008 as a graduate student)

Q: Where are you from?
A: I am from Bethesda, Maryland. I attended Georgetown University for my undergraduate studies.

Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: I decided to come to ASU mostly because of the size of the department. Coming from a small university, I wasn't able to explore all the different fields of research. I am mostly interested in Biological Physics and was very impressed by the interdisciplinary research happening at ASU in this field. All the different research opportunities and, of course, the weather made the decision easy!

Q: Why physics?
A: I was instantly attracted to physics when I first took the class in high school because it is so fundamental to everyday life.

Q: What has been the most exciting thing you have experienced since joining ASU Physics?
A: I think the most exciting part so far has been meeting all my classmates. We are a very diverse group of students, and it's fun learning about everyone's different backgrounds.

Q: What do you like to do when you aren't studying physics?
A: I love being outdoors. I'm an avid golfer and love to hike.

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ASU Physics establishes student support network 

   Physics is at the foundation of all fields of science, engineering, and technology. A physics education, therefore, becomes a valuable commodity applicable to a variety of careers. But this opportunity does not come easy. There is no question that physics is one of the most complex fields a student can pursue in higher education.  The physics major takes on a course load that is intense, demanding, and comprehensive. It is a tremendous undertaking that challenges the best and brightest students and produces some of the most remarkable scientists in the world.
   ASU Physics believes that student success occurs when several elements work in concert. Among those elements are an outstanding faculty involved in important and cutting-edge research that engages students; instructors and teachers who understand the complexity of the material and work diligently to find the best way to communicate physics concepts; and a student-centered staff committed to helping students navigate through their degrees. All of these components position ASU to deliver top-quality education through a positive, meaningful educational experience.
   But student success often requires something more - a supportive, accessible network of family, friends, peers, and mentors working together to encourage students to achieve their best. Research shows that this type of validation is often the difference between success and failure.
   With that understanding in mind, ASU Physics is proud to announce the creation of ASU Physics Friends & Family - or F2. F2 exists to support undergraduate and graduate students majoring in physics at ASU. This support can be shown in many different ways:

  • By attending department events like seminars, lectures, the department picnic, homecoming activities, and family weekend. Being physically present at these events enables the support network to personally share the experience with their student.
  • By providing feedback or suggestions about ASU Physics. Sharing an external observation about programs and opportunities within ASU Physics is key to shaping and growing an experience that is meaningful and memorable.
  • Through financial support of department activities and events. The sense of community vital to a positive collegiate experience is often realized in subtle ways - pizza lunches with professors to discuss physics or physics careers, social events connected with orientations for new students, world-class lecturers who sit down with students and open up the conversation to whatever is on students' minds, travel stipends for students to attend a conference, and scholarships and awards that recognize student excellence.  Many of these events cannot be financed with state monies. As a result, ASU Physics relies on the generosity of our alumni, donors, and community partners to continue these wonderful events.          

   By organizing the many different people who are part of a student's support network into one group, the department will be able to disseminate information more efficiently, engage the community more effectively, and ultimately enhance and grow achievement for all students in ASU Physics. F2 is open to anyone who wishes to be involved in helping physics students succeed. Whether you are a parent, spouse, friend, alumnus, physics professional, or just a fan of great students - you are welcome!  
 
 To join F2, please email Margaret Stuart at margaret.stuart@asu.edu.  For more information on giving opportunities and department events, please visit the ASU Physics website at http://physics.asu.edu/index.php.

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Did you know...


...ASU Physics harbors both budding and accomplished musicians? It's true! When they aren't knee-deep in nanotubes, unfolding proteins, contemplating quantum quandaries, or coordinating programs many faculty and staff enjoy performing music as a release and hobby. Recently retired professor and violinist John Venables plays regularly with a string quartet and orchestra. Department Manager Peg Stuart majored in music, was a band/orchestra director for eight years, and plays piano regularly. And Regents Professors John Spence and Stuart Lindsay are both members of the band the Moondogs which performed recently at the wedding of Spence's son, Andrew, this past summer.

 

REUs....(continued from Page 1)

produce carbon nanotubes that are as long as possible, as aligned as possible, and as dense on the substrate as possible. Using methane as the carbon source

and iron nitrate crystals as catalyst, he succeeded in producing carbon nanotubes up to approximately a mm in length, which were generally aligned with the direction of gas flow. As a side project, the group also briefly investigated use of quartz as the substrate, instead of the standard silicon chips, and they produced a limited number of very straight, directionally aligned nanotubes.

Shawna Uher
     Shawna attended a REU with the Charge Exchange Group at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University.  As part of this REU, she wrote a program to ease the calculation of electron capture rates in order to further the understanding of the dynamics that take place just before a core collapse supernova.

 

Undergraduates who would like assistance finding an REU can contact Sabrina Mathues, ASU Physics Undergraduate Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor, at sabrina.mathues@asu.edu.

Calling all ASU Physics Alumni!!!

Mark you calendars and plan to attend Homecoming 2008 at Arizona State University on Saturday, November 15th. Come out to the Homecoming Block Party before the kick-off and visit our booth to catch up with what's happening in ASU Physics and reconnect with your friends in physics! For more information about this and other homecoming events, visit http://homecoming.asu.edu/.

 

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From the Chair...

Growing the ASU Physics Family

learn of their research and in some cases to join the research effort; the very active Society for Physics Students; and now the opportunity to gain from the experiences and engagement of our F2 organization.
   There is no doubt that learning the concepts of physics is a challenge, but our graduates have the ability and confidence to solve new problems, and certainly our society faces a host of new challenges from energy and sustainability to maintaining the technology leadership of our economy. 
   Our group of parents was also pleased to learn that the perspective of a degree in physics is much broader than just a few years ago.  We explored in some depth the opportunities for their students to expand their knowledge in areas such as biological physics, nanoscale science and particle-astrophysics — all major areas of ASU Physics.  Moreover, all of these areas are interdisciplinary in that they bring together knowledge from other areas of science or engineering.
   I hope you will consider being part of F2.  We need your help and support, and I am certain our tremendous students will greatly benefit from your participation.

 

Sincerely,

Robert J. Nemanich

   It was a pleasure last week to meet with a group of parents of our undergraduate physics majors.  The informal meeting is now part of our annual effort to enrich the majors experience through involvement with our F2 organization (F2 = Family x Friends).  Our undergraduate program has grown significantly in the last few years and our graduates have been successful in obtaining research and technology oriented positions after their degree or in going on to their graduate studies at ASU or other leading research Universities.
   The parents were interested in learning what makes our program special.  Of course this is different for each individual, but some of the aspects that were mentioned help all students. These benefits included our small teacher-to student-ratios; the special attention by our Undergraduate Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor Sabrina Mathues and Program Director and Physics Professor Michael Treacy, the high quality laboratory courses; the close contact with our faculty to

Keep in touch and

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
with ASU Physics!


Please consider supporting ASU Physics students, research, and programs. More information on the
ASU Physics website

or by calling 480.965.6794.


Physics Flash
welcomes your feedback. Please send your comments, questions, and story suggestions to
margaret.stuart@asu.edu

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