Additional Projects available to you:

"Thing"-ness

Here, we explore "thingness" as an "emergent phenomena" and continue to wonder at it all:

1) Charge Carriers of "Unusual" Sign: [Write-up available]

In a solid, what we call an electron is, in some sense, a many-body effect. To drive this home, we examine cases where the "effective quasi-particles" involved have positive charge. This (Hall Effect Experiment) is straighforward, can be done using a variety of materials, and can be extended in any number of ways. Moreover, there are many useful articles available in The American Journal of Physics. It is important, at this stage, that we discuss a number of examples of effective quasiparticles of many-body systems. Through this discussion, the concept of an emergent phenomena should become clear.

2) Resistance and Self-Interference: [Write-up available]

A Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) serves to demonstrate quantum mechanical behavior on a macroscopic scale. Here, we emphasize the exact correspondence between phase shifts in single-slit optical diffraction and the phase shifts seen in a single Josephson Junction, as well as the correspondence the phase shifts in two-slit optical interference and the phase shifts in a DC SQUID. Also, the connection between de Broglie's vision of the Hydrogen atom and what occurs in a superconducting ring drives home much of what we have seen throughout the term.

3) Compton Scattering Revisited: [Write-up available]

At this point, does the creation and annihilation of matter continue to strike you as anything unusual? If not, you have emerged, fully steeped in the quantum mechanical view of things.

Hopefully, you emerge from this round excited about some of the ideas and techniques you've encountered in the course. The physics faculty are always interested in supporting interdisciplinary student research. You don't even need a specific project. We're always interested in talking to you. Keep on going!

As you continue, more and more, to "take over" the lab, keep in mind that Illinois Wesleyan has a student research conference every April. Would you like to develop a project to the point where you'd have something to present? This sort of activity has enormous potential to impact your development (as well as your resume, which must be fleshed out in order for you to secure a choice summer internship).