Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Making Artificial Cips Data With A Generative Adversarial Neural Network, Austin Hedges

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs) have been studied for thirteen years by NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite. The Cloud Imaging and Particle Size (CIPS) instrument onboard AIM has taken many images of PMCs over this time. Such a large number of images makes CIPS data ideal for training neural networks which require large datasets. CIPS images were used to train a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) to train towards being able to generate purely artificial CIPS-like images.

Modeling Holocene Peatland Carbon Accumulation In North America, Qianlai Zhuang, Sirui Wang, Bailu Zhao, Filipe Aires, Catherine Prigent, Zicheng Yu, Jason K. Keller, Scott Bridgham

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Peatlands are a large carbon reservoir. Yet the quantification of their carbon stock still has a large uncertainty due to lacking observational data and well‐tested peatland biogeochemistry models. Here, a process‐based peatland model was calibrated using long‐term peat carbon accumulation data at multiple sites in North America. The model was then applied to quantify the peat carbon accumulation rates and stocks within North America over the last 12,000 years. We estimated that 85–174 Pg carbon was accumulated in North American peatlands over the study period including 0.37–0.76 Pg carbon in subtropical peatlands. During the period from 10,000 to 8,000 years …

Scaling Resistance With Channel Length For Carbon Nanotube Networks, Cade Freels, Carla Patricia Quintero, Samantha A. Anger, Will Gannett, Ruth Saunders

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

No abstract provided.

Long-Baseline Neutrino Oscillation Physics Potential Of The Dune Experiment, B. Abi, M. A. Acero, G. Adamov, D. Adams, M. Adinolfi, Z Ahmad, J. Ahmed, T. Alion, S. Alonso Monsalve, C. Alt, J. Anderson, C. Andreopoulos, M. P. Andrews, F. Andringa, A. Ankowski, M. Antonova, S. Antusch, A. Aranda-Fernandez, A. Ariga, L. O. Arnold, Roberto Petti, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

The sensitivity of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) to neutrino oscillation is determined, based on a full simulation, reconstruction, and event selection of the far detector and a full simulation and parameterized analysis of the near detector. Detailed uncertainties due to the flux prediction, neutrino interaction model, and detector effects are included. DUNE will resolve the neutrino mass ordering to a precision of 5σ for δ_CP values, after 2 years of running with the nominal detector design and beam configuration. It has the potential to observe charge-parity violation in the neutrino sector to a precision of 3 …

Physics For Everyone, Charles Liu, Sarang Gopalakrishnan, Vadim Oganesyan

Open Educational Resources

The online educational resource Physics For Everyone is the scaffolding for a 3 contact hour, 3 credit general education course that will be offered for the first time at the CUNY College of Staten Island in the spring semester of 2021. This work has been generously supported by New America’s PIT-UN (Public Interest Technology University Network) challenge grant program, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

This slide deck provides the outline for the semester-long course. Each week’s lecture topics, with key points to be covered, are highlighted in two slides, which also list writing prompts, …

Peer-Led Team Learning In Calculus-Based Introductory Physics: Implementation And Evaluation, Siera Maia Stoen

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Robust evidence shows that Peer-led Team Learning (PLTL) improves the academic success of college students in introductory Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses. However, further research is needed to gain a fuller understanding of the benefits of PLTL and the aim of this dissertation is to explore two key and understudied questions surrounding the effects of PLTL. First, does deviating from the optimal implementation of PLTL change its effectiveness? Second, what specific outcomes, in addition to academic success (e.g., exam scores), does PLTL improve? This dissertation will provide a fuller picture of the impact of PLTL by examining its …

Qwasi: The Quantum Walk Simulator, Warren V. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

As quantum computing continues to evolve, the ability to design and analyze novel quantum algorithms becomes a necessary focus for research. In many instances, the virtues of quantum algorithms only become evident when compared to their classical counterparts, so a study of the former often begins with a consideration of the latter. This is very much the case with quantum walk algorithms, as the success of random walks and their many, varied applications have inspired much interest in quantum correlates. Unfortunately, finding purely algebraic solutions for quantum walks is an elusive endeavor. At best, and when solvable, they require simple …

Free Charge Carrier Properties In Two-Dimensional Materials And Monoclinic Oxides Studied By Optical Hall Effect, Sean Knight

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this dissertation, optical Hall effect (OHE) measurements are used to determine the free charge carrier properties of important two-dimensional materials and monoclinic oxides. Two-dimensional material systems have proven useful in high-frequency electronic devices due to their unique properties, such as high mobility, which arise from their two-dimensional nature. Monoclinic oxides exhibit many desirable characteristics, for example low-crystal symmetry which could lead to anisotropic carrier properties. Here, single-crystal monoclinic gallium oxide, an AlInN/GaN-based high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structure, and epitaxial graphene are studied as examples. To characterize these material systems, the OHE measurement technique is employed. The OHE is a physical …

Searching For A Pair-Produced Supersymmetric Top Partner Using Recursive Jigsaw Variables And Boosted Decision Trees With 139 Fb⁻¹ Of Data From The Atlas Detector, Jared David Little

Physics Dissertations

The Standard Model of Particle Physics is the most comprehensive theory describing how fundamental particles and three of the four fundamental forces are related. However, the Standard Model is known to be an incomplete theory with several limitations. Supersymmetry is an extension of the Standard Model of Particle Physics, introducing supersymmetric partners to every fermion and boson in the Standard Model. Supersymmetry gives a diverse collection of theoretical models providing solutions to these phenomenological inconsistencies. It contains a mechanism for stabilizing the Higgs boson mass while predicting the existence of several new particles, including a suitable Dark Matter candidate. The …

Many Body Localization With Rydberg Atoms, Alicia Handian

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Systems are known to thermalize, or reach equilibrium, with the passing of time. However, when this does not occur, the quantum states of the system may be localized. Localized states carry information of the system’s initial state that is typically lost during the process of thermalization. We aim to study thermalization and localization in systems of rubidium Rydberg atoms, and to further understand these phenomena via simulation while we are developing a more refined experiment.

Single-Neutron Transfer To 50ti, Jessica Nebel-Crosson

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

This is a continuation of the data analysis of a neutron-transfer reaction with ⁵⁰Ti, in which the data was collected in 2019 and this analysis focuses on automating the calibration and peak fits for the generated spectra. Future work will continue with producing angular distributions for the rest of the excitation states and further analyzation in order to draw conclusions about single-neutron state structures.

Learning Assistant And Instructor Communication: Impacts On Perceived Efficacy, Jahangir Rassouli, Laura Ríos

Physics

The Learning Assistant (LA) Model was co-developed by Richard McCray and Valerie Otero at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2003. In this model, senior undergraduate students serve as facilitators for group discussion in lower-division courses, and employ evidenced-based practices for promoting inquiry and active learning [1]. Since its inception, the LA model has grown to various departments, disciplines, and universities.

At California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), the LA program in the physics department is still in its early stages. As such, it is an environment rich for exploration into the affordances, limitations, and benefits of …

Long Lived Second Mode Internal Solitary Waves In The Andaman Sea, J.M. Magalhaes, J.C.B. Da Silva, Maarten C. Buijsman

Faculty Publications

Internal waves are density oscillations propagating along the ocean’s inner stratification, which are now acknowledged as a key constituent of the ocean’s dynamics. They usually result from barotropic tides, which flow over bottom topography, causing density oscillations to propagate along the pycnocline with a tidal frequency (i.e. internal tides). These large-scale waves propagate away from their forcing bathymetry and frequently disintegrate into nonlinear short-scale (higher-frequency) internal wave packets. Typically, short-scale internal wave observations in the ocean are associated with vertical structures (in the water column) of the lowest fundamental mode. Higher vertical modes have recently been documented as well, but …

Mechani-Kits Senior Design Project, Jake Utley, Sophie Carson, Vincent Seguin

Mechanical Engineering

Studies suggest that when designed and executed well, hands-on activities can enhance student understanding of key mechanics concepts. Current products are expensive and typically not designed to meet a variety of learning objectives. Through the Mechanics of Inclusion and Inclusivity in Mechanics grant, the Cal Poly Physics and Engineering Departments are seeking to incorporate new hands-on activities into their courses. Our team has designed three inexpensive ”MechaniKits” to be used in physics, statics and dynamics courses [1]. This Final Design Review outlines our findings, objectives, and final designs for this project. It also explains our manufacturing and design verification plans. …

Demonstrating And Testing The Deutsch-Jozsa Quantum Algorithm Towards The Realization Of Quantum Computing At Bsu, John J. Gilmore Jr.

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The world is changing, and fast. Quantum computing and photonic engineering are revolutionary new technologies that could change the way humans interact with information; though the eld hasn't always been that way. As with most new elds, proof of concept is needed to show that this new technology isn't just hear to stay, but it's hear to take the lead. In this, nothing is more important the the Deutsch-Jozsa Quantum algorithm; as it did just that . The majority of this research paper revolves around understanding the very essence of quantum computing. As the eld of quantum computing is in …

The Effect Of Chirality On Dna Threading: Exploring Binuclear Ruthenium Lntercalators Using Optical Tweezers, Adam A. Jabak

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Using optical tweezers, we have been able to study the interactions of small molecules and prospective cancer drugs with DNA. One type of these molecules, known as threading intercalators, has a flat planar intercalating moiety in between the molecule’s bulky ancillary supporting ligands. In order to bind with DNA, they have to thread their bulky ancillary ligands in between the DNA base pairs. Due to this requirement for binding, these molecules tend to have high binding affinities and slow kinetics. In this thesis, we explore the binding properties of a ruthenium-based threading intercalator -[μ-bidppz(phen)4Ru2]4+, or -P for short. The goal …

Examining The Effect Of El Nino Phenomena And Pacific Sea Surface Temperature On The Climate Of The Glacierized White Mountains In Peru, Emily Reardon

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between the El Ni~no Southern Oscillation, sea surface temperatures (SST) and the climate of the Rio Santa Basin. This study is an important step in understanding the dynamics of the glaciers as a critical control on hydrological features in alpine Andes Valleys. Temperature and precipitation measurements pulled from ground based weather stations in the Rio Santa drainage basin were aggregated, synchronized, and correlated with the changes in the Pacific ocean SST o the coast of Peru and into the central Pacific. The expectation is that we will …

Image Processing Of Narrow Band Solar Eclipse Data Using Python And Maxim Dl, Rydia Hayes-Huer

Honors Program Theses and Projects

On July 2, 2019, a total solar eclipse (TSE) was observable from Chile and Argentina. In Chile, I worked alongside the Solar Wind Sherpas, an international group led by Dr. Shadia Habbal from the University of Hawai'i Institute for Astronomy, to make observations of the solar corona and gather information about its elemental composition. Narrow band data were collected for Fe XI, Fe XIV, and Ar X. Data collected during TSE observations can be used to help solve two puzzles in solar physics: the coronal heating problem and the mechanisms responsible for the fast and slow solar winds. Narrow band …

Building A Light Current Voltage Characterization Setup For Pulsed Laser Diodes, Alec A. Milford

Honors Program Theses and Projects

III-V laser dies are the main integrated light sources used in photonic integrated chips (PIC). Before incorporating these lasers in PICs, it is important to measure their performance and efficiency. The efficiency of these devices can be calculated from their light-current-voltage (L-I-V) characteristics. In this thesis, I will assemble the components of the probe station for the pulsed LIV setup, which are the pulse generator to drive the laser with current, temperature controller device to vary the laser’s operating temperature, and optical spectrum analyzer in order to characterize the laser’s emission wavelength. Initially this thesis was meant to report how …

Determining The Rotational And Orbital Velocities Of Objects In The Solar System, Mark Jones

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Astronomers have been observing the night sky for many centuries to establish a better understanding for our universe and solar system. As part of their observations, astronomers characterize celestial bodies by fundamental properties such as mass, motion, and composition in order to provide further insight about the objects in question. As technology and science have evolved, the methods for measuring these properties have become more precise and accurate. One such methodology is known as spectroscopy, and it is a significant tool for observational astronomy. In this paper, we shall describe how we used astronomical spectroscopy to determine orbital and rotational …

Measurements Of Fast Alpha Decays In The 100sn Region, Ian Connor Cox

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Measurements Of Radio Pulse Reception With Stations Of The Ara Experiment Based On The Spicecore Pulser Data Set, Jesse Osborn, Ilya Kravchenko Dr.

UCARE Research Products

The Askaryan Radio Array Experiment located near the South Pole works to pinpoint specific instances of neutrinos from outside the solar system interacting with nucleons inside the Antarctic ice. Neutrinos are a subatomic particle that has nearly no mass and a net neutral charge. As they are, neutrinos tend not to interact with anything as they travel through space which means they can provide us with information about events occurring far from Earth that might not be easily attained through other methods. Neutrinos are known to be emitted from a myriad of sources, including the Sun, the interaction between cosmic …

Investigation Of The Obscure Spin State Of Ti-Doped Cdse, J. Dimuna, T. Boyett, I. Miotkowski, A. K. Ramdas, T. Pekarek, J. T. Haraldsen

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Using computational and experimental techniques, we examine the nature of the 2+ oxidation of Ti-doped CdSe. Through stoichiometry and confirmed through magnetization measurements, the weakly-doped material of Cd1-xTixSe (x = 0.0043) shows the presence of a robust spin-1 magnetic state of Ti, which is indicative of a 2+ oxidation state. Given the obscure nature of the Ti2+ state, we investigate the electronic and magnetic states using density functional theory. Using a generalized gradient approximation with an onsite potential, we determine the electronic structure, magnetic moment density, and optical properties for a supercell of CdSe with an ultra-low concentration of Ti. …

Understanding The Magnetic Interactions Of The Zig-Zag Honeycomb Lattice: Application To Rucl3, Evan Wilson, Jason T. Haraldsen

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

The new field of Dirac quantum matter has produced a lot of interesting theories and materials, especially in the dynamics of magnetic materials. One such material is RuCl3, which is a S = 1/2 zigzag honeycomb lattice. Through inelastic neutron scattering, this material has demonstrated spin waves with an energy scale of 1.5-8.0 meV. According to literature, RuCl3 may be the realization of a new theoretical phase of matter called a spin liquid. This materials seems to fit the profile and has been investigated using a Kitaev model. In this study, we re-examine the data for RuCl3 using a standard …

Extended Gamma Analysis Of Snr G330.2 + 1.0, Abagael Barba, John W. Hewitt

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Analyzing gamma rays is an important aspect of modern astronomy and astrophysics, for they are the most powerful bands of energy on the electromagnetic spectrum. Comprehending gamma rays allows for deeper understanding of countless phenomena within our universe, such as cosmic rays. Cosmic rays are high energy particles thought to be formed via extremely violent explosions within our universe. These accelerated particles mirror conditions present in a supernova. A supernova is what occurs when a star at least 8 times as massive as our sun reaches the end of its lifespan and bursts. These explosions are the most powerful events …

Understanding The Spin-Glass State Through The Magnetic Properties Of Mn-Doped Znte, A. Alcantara, S. Barrett, D. Matev, I. Miotkowski, A. K. Ramdas, T. Pekarek, J. T. Haraldsen

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Magnetic measurements on the spin-glass behavior in the bulk II-VI diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) ZnMnTe were made on two crystals of concentrations x = 0.43 and 0.55 taken from the same boule. Magnetization and density functional theory studies have shown paramagnetic behavior in both samples between 30 and 400 K. Below 30 K, there is a prominent peak at Tc = 15 and 23.6 K for concentrations x = 0.43 and 0.55, respectively. The splitting of the field cooled (FC) and zero field cooled (ZFC) data below this peak is indicative of a transition to a spin-glass state at low …

Identification Of Histone H4-Based Peptoids As Inhibitors Of Prmt1, Megan Demart, Molly Dubose, Sarah Mann, Corey Causey Phd, Bryan Knuckley Phd

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Protein Arginine Methyltransferases (PRMTs) are a family of 11 mammalian enzymes characterized by the post-translational methylation of arginine residues in the histone tail. The majority of the 11 members of the PRMT family are divided into two main types, Type I and Type II. PRMT1, the major Type I isozyme, catalyzes the formation of asymmetrically dimethylated arginine (ADMA). PRMT1 activates transcription of cancer genes. Peptoids, or poly-N-substituted glycine’s are a class of oligomers whose side chains are appended to the nitrogen atom of the peptide backbone rather than the alpha carbon. Kinetic parameters were conducted for both peptide and peptoid …

Magnetic Properties Of Mbe Grown La1/3y1/3sr1/3mno3 Thin Films And Superlattices, W. A. Ruiz, C. Kengle, J. Payne, D. Brown, W. P. Warusawithana, T. M. Pekarek

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

We have investigated the magnetic properties of thin films related to the standard CMR system La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 where Y substituted for 50% of the La atoms. These La1/3Y1/3Sr1/3MnO3 films were grown as a random alloy where La, Y, and Sr atoms randomly occupied the A-site or as a superlattice where each unit-cell-thick layer stacked along the crystallographic (001) direction contained only one of the atoms La, Y, and Sr occupying the A-site. One of the key magnetic features of La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 is a prominent ferromagnetic transition near 350 K. We find the substitution of La with Y suppresses this ferromagnetic transition in …

Spin-Glass Ordering In The Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Zn1-Xmnxte, S. Barrett, T. M. Pekarek

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Magnetic measurements on the spin-glass behavior in the bulk II-VI diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) ZnMnTe were made on two crystals of concentrations x = 0.43 and 0.55 taken from the same boule. Magnetization and density functional theory studies have shown paramagnetic behavior in both samples between 30 and 400 K. Below 30 K, there is a prominent peak at Tc = 15 and 23.6 K for concentrations x = 0.43 and 0.55, respectively. The splitting of the field cooled (FC) and zero field cooled (ZFC) data below this peak is indicative of a transition to a spin-glass state at low …

Investigating The Substrate Specificity Of Prmt1 Using A Plate Based Screening Method, Tina Sawatzky, Sarah Mann, Bryan Knuckley

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up the rate of a reaction by lowering the activation energy and converting substrate (reactant) to product more expeditiously. Enzymes have a high degree of specificity and will only catalyze selective reactions by targeting particular substrates. In mammals, there exists a family of 11 enzymes, PRMT’s (Protein Arginine Methyl transferase), that target protein arginine for post translational methylation on the guanidino nitrogen of the residue. They occur naturally as Type I, II and III and can administer asymmetric di-methylation (ADMA), symmetric dimethylation (SDMA) and monomethylation, respectively. The focal point of this project is to …