Spectral Characterization of Lunar Analog Samples
Since their identification, the widespread exposures identified as pink spinel anorthosite (PSA), an Mg-spinel bearing anorthosite found along-side feldspathic material, have intrigued researchers.
To better interpret the compositions of these Mg-spinel rich regions, and understand the implications for how they formed, I collect and analyze visible to near infrared (VNIR) and mid infrared (MIR) laboratory spectra of spinel and plagioclase mineral mixtures. I combine the analysis of the VNIR and MIR spectra of these mineral mixtures to better identify similar compositions in remote observations, which will enable a better determination of rock type across lunar lithologies.
Undergraduate Research
I enrolled in the Physical Measurements lab as part of my upper-level physics coursework. The course aimed to enhance our scientific communication and research skills. Throughout the course, I collaborated with three fellow students on three experiments, producing two papers and delivering one oral presentation. We engaged in peer reviews for our papers and received valuable feedback on our presentation from the class. While we had initial experiment instructions, I gained practical experience with common lab instruments and learned to approach familiar experiments innovatively, extracting new insights from century-old practices.
Assessing the impact of varying voltages in a Franck-Hertz Experiment
Along with my peer, Paul Tang, I conducted a study to recreate the original Franck-Hertz experiment along with a modified experiment using neon gas instead of mercury, to assess the impact of varying the three voltages included in the FH setup. We wrote code in Python to analyze and graph our data. Our results, presented as a research article, showed that the discrete energy levels are only observed clearly for specific input voltages, and for differing values, the output is distorted.
Using a Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) to study the structure of Highly Ordered Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG)
My collaborator, Ben de Jonge, and I initiated our study by constructing the STM conducting tip. We captured multiple images of our HOPG sample, experimenting with tip voltage, p-gain, i-gain, and time per line settings to optimize resolution and reveal the lattice structure. After obtaining the best image within our resource constraints, we employed two methods to measure the lattice constant. Using MATLAB, I selected carbon atom points and calculated their distances to determine the average lattice constant. Simultaneously, my partner utilized geometric equations on line-cut distances for a comprehensive analysis. Our findings were presented in an oral presentation.
Analyzing Rubidium Absorption Spectra using Diode Laser Spectroscopy
I collaborated with my peer, Emilia Topp-Johnson, to observe the absorption spectrum of a rubidium sample to study the energy states of the two naturally occurring isotopes of rubidium. Additionally, we resolved the hyperfine splitting seen in the 5P3/2 level in 85Rb and 87Rb using a setup involving a Fabry-Perot cavity. We measured six hyperfine splitting frequencies and conducted thorough error analyses to compare our values with the accepted frequencies for this phenomenon. We presented our results as a paper that was peer-reviewed by our instructor and 2 other students in the course.
Angelina Minocha 