University Calendar

Senior Experience Seminar Series in Physics - 2025

Dimitris Christou
Fields and Beyond: Enhancing Learning in Introductory Physics
What if there were better ways to make sense of physics? For many students, physics is intimidating - bringing stress and uncertainty as they struggle with missing foundational building blocks and real-world connections. In my research, I explored general strategies to improve physics education and developed a learning module that leverages fields - an intuitive framework that ties together everything from gravity to electromagnetism. By emphasizing fields in introductory physics, we can make concepts more accessible and help students build a stronger, more connected understanding of the physical world.

Junming Tai
Optical Frequency Conversion in Hollow Core Optical Fibers
I demonstrate a tunable ultrafast ultraviolet (UV) laser source (150-400 nm) using nonlinear frequency conversion in gas-filled hollow-core fibers. Driven by a 1 kHz Ti:sapphire laser (800 nm, 45 fs), soliton self-compression and dispersive wave radiation enable broad UV tunability controlled via gas pressure adjustments. SD-FROG diagnostics confirm sub-10 fs pulse durations, surpassing conventional UV sources in efficiency (7-9%) and spectral flexibility. Numerical simulations align with experimental results, validating the phase-matching conditions. This compact, fiber-based approach advances ultrafast spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, and high-resolution imaging.

Rose Williams
Living Life in the Danger Zone: Planetary Habitability in Close Binary Star Systems
In this talk, I discuss the theoretical habitability of binary systems containing a main sequence and a white dwarf star. I utilize the three-body problem to verify the possibility of stable orbits. I then use established relationships for liquid surface water and for stellar mass and luminosity to derive the habitable zones in such systems and compare them with the tidal force limit known as the Roche limit. I end by highlighting potential avenues for further research.

Location:	Youngchild 121
Contact:	Matthew Stoneking matthew.r.stoneking@lawrence.edu
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