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Physics Research
Research is an important part of department activities, both to keep the faculty abreast of current events in the field and to enhance educational oppurtunities for our students. The two most active research groups in the department are Particle Physics and Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics. Both groups involve undergraduates throughout the year and employ multiple students during the summer months.
Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics: Dr. Eric Wells is generally interested in probing and controlling intra-molecular dynamics using ultrashort duration electric fields. He maintains an active collaboration with researchers at the J.R. Macdonald Laboratory, a large facility for AMO physics located on the campus of Kansas State University. In recent years, the AMO group has received funding from the National Science Foundation, Research Corporation, and NASA.
Particle Physics: The newest research area in the department is led by Dr. Drew Alton. He is an active collaborator on DØ at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. His research focuses on studies of the weak force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature. In addition he is laying the groundwork for collaborations on new experiments that would be sited at Homestake Mine, when and if the new national deep underground science and engineering laboratory is fully constructed.
In addition, Dr. Engebretson's field is condensed matter physics, specifically tunneling in niobium films. Dr. Vander Lugt works on problems in chaos and acoustics. He has also spent considerable time developing physics courses for non-majors, including Astronomy and the History of Science. Student Research Presentations
- Nate Jastram, Amy Lueking, Ron Andersh, Brian Moore, and Eric Wells, "Diode-Laser Based Experiments for Physics and Chemistry". NPURC Summer Symposium, Ponca NE [July 27, 2007].
- Nick Smolnisky, Jarlath McKenna, Siddique Kahn, Itzik Ben-Itzhak, and Eric Wells, "Progress toward implementaing a closed-loop scheme to control molecular fragmentation." NPURC Summer Symposium, Ponca NE [July 27, 2007].
- Sharayah Carey, Eli Parke, Amy Lueking, Laura Doshier, Mat Leonard, Kevin Carnes, Itzik Ben-Itzhak, and Eric Wells, "Rapid formation of H3+ and H2+ via intra-molecular bond rearrangement in ammonia and methane." NPURC Summer Symposium, Ponca NE [July 27, 2007].
- Eli Parke, M. Leonard, K.D. Carnes, I. Ben-Itzhak, Laura Doshier, Amy Lueking, and E. Wells, “ Isotopic effects in bond rearrangement caused by sudden ionization of ammonia and methane molecules ”, DAMOP 2007, Calgary, Alberta, Canada [June 7, 2007].
- Laura Doshier, Amy Lueking, Ivan Lee, Eric Wells, Eli Parke, Mat Leonard, Kevin D. Carnes, and I. Ben-Itzhak, “ Geometric and Isotopic Influences on the Fragmentation Patterns of Rapidly Ionized Methane and Ammonia ” , DAMOP 2007, Calgary, Alberta, Canada [June 7, 2007].
- Laura Doshier, Amy Lueking, E. Parke, M. Lenard, K.D. Carnes, I. Ben-Itzhak, and E. Wells: “Isotopic effects in bond rearrangement caused by sudden ionization of ammonia and methane” , Augustana Symposium, [April 21, 2007].
- Amy Lueking and Steven Armstrong: “Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Muscular Dystrophy: Examining Protein-Protein Interactions in the Sarcolemma”, Augustana Symposium, [April 21, 2007].
Archive of Past Student Research Presentations.
Archived Chemistry/Physics Seminar Schedule: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07.
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Publications By Student Authors
Nora G. Johnson, R.N. Mello, Michael E. Lundy, J. Kapplinger, Eli Parke, K.D. Carnes, I. Ben-Itzhak, and E. Wells, "Single Ionization of Hydrogen Molecules by Fast Protons as a Function of the Molecular Alignment", Phys. Rev. A 72, 052711 (2005).
E. Wells, K.J. Betsch, C.W.S. Conover, D. Pinkham, M.J. DeWitt, and R.R. Jones, "Closed-Loop Control of Intense-Laser Fragmentation of S8", Phys. Rev. A 72, 063406 (2005).
E. Wells, Vidhya Krishnamurthi, K.D. Carnes, Nora G. Johnson, Heather D. Baxter, David Moore, Kristana M. Bloom, B.M. Barnes, H. Tawara and I. Ben-Itzhak, "Proton-Carbon Monoxide Collisions From 10 keV to 14 MeV", Phys. Rev. A 72, 022726 (2005).
John. P. Berdahl and Karel Vander Lugt, "Magnetically Driven Chaotic Pendulum", Amer. J. Phys. 69, 1016 (2001).
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Publications by Physics Faculty
An Augustana student records settings after tuning a beam of protons from the KSU particle accelerator into her experimental chamber.
 Momentum image separating two isomers of acetylene dications after ionization by a ultrafast laser pulse.
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