Physics and Astronomy Colloquium Series
The Physics and Astronomy Colloquium Series is open to all members of the university. Unless otherwise noted, talks are held on Thursday afternoons at 4:20-5:30 in Mendocino 1015. Schedule is regularly updated as dates, titles, and abstracts are received. Please check back often. For past semesters' series, see our archive.
Semester ScheduleFeb 28, 2008 March 6, 2008 March 27, 2008 April 10, 2008 Dr. Vera Margoniner Sacramento State "Sky Surveys of the Next Decade" April 24 , 2008 May 1, 2008 May 8, 2008 May 15, 2008
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Next Seminar
Thursday, May 15, 2008 Alexander I. Clontz “Fiber Optics in Modern Technology” As measurement precision improves, the reductioin of noise becomes a necessity. There are many ways available for the use of noise reduction. In this particular situation fiber optics will be tested as a solution. The application for this project is in the noise reduction of the signal acquisition of a mobile magnetic resonance imaging device as used by archaeological survey teaems and the US Geological Survey with possible future applicatioins for the US Department of Defense. using LabView software, this project compares the noise contamination in the signal transferred along fiber optic cables verses traditional solid state wires. and Mark Kerfoot “Three-Prism Laser Guiding Optimization” For my senior project, I am working on a project that involves tracking a target with a laser that is guided by a three-prism system. The target position is determined by two coordinates and each prism is specified by a single rotation coordinate. Thus, the prism system is over-determined for tracking the target (i.e.there are infinitely many prism arrangements capable of locating a fixed target position). The decision to use an over-determined system has been made because it allows flexibility in dealing with singular points in the field of view and as well as minimizing any problems associated with manufacturing imperfectioins in the prisms. My project is to develop a computer algorithm that is able to optimize the prism tracking system so that tracking can occur at the fastest possible speed. Since the system is over-determined, the goal of speed optimization can be met if the largest of the three prism angle displacements can be minimized for each target displacement. Achieving this goal will also require identifying singular points in the field of view that require large prism angle displacements and devising methods to minimize the greatest displacement near these locations. I will deliver a computer program written in either Mathematica or C with the optimization algorithm, a paper describing the project and my oral presentation.
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