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Physics & Astronomy Seminar
Fall 1999

Seminars are held on Tuesdays, 3:45-4:45pm in Science Building #101, unless otherwise noted.
Meet at 3:30 in Science Building #153 for refreshments.
See Calvin's Visitor Resources for maps and directions.
If you would like to receive regular email announcements for each week's seminar, or have other questions or comments, contact seminar chair Deborah Haarsma.

Next semester: Spring 2000

Date	Title (click on title for more information)	Speaker
September 14	I. High-Dynamic-Range Radio Images of Saturn's Rings II. The Total Solar Eclipse of 11 August 1999	Larry Molnar and Jon Niehof (Calvin senior) David Van Baak
September 21	I. Numerical Studies of Strong-Field Double Photoionization of 2-electron model Atoms II. Magnetic Behaviors of Ni Fe / Fe Mn Thin Film Couples and of Ni Fe / Cu [or Ag] Interfaces	Stan Haan and Klaas Hoekema (Calvin sophomore) Steve Steenwyk and Mark Joshua (Calvin senior),
September 28	I. Experiments with Metastable Krypton Atoms II. One-dimensional Pattern Formation in a Dielectric-Barrier Discharge	Matthew Walhout and Nathaniel Miller (Calvin junior) Matthew Walhout and Jaclyn Guikema (Calvin junior)
October 5	Demonstration of oscilloscopes recently acquired by the department.	Steve Platt and Steve Steenwyk
October 12	Variational Methods in Physics: What are they, and what can we learn from them?	David Van Baak, Calvin College
October 20, WEDNESDAY	Into the Dark: The Long Term Fate of Astrophysical Objects	Fred Adams, University of Michigan
October 26	Reading/advising recess
November 2	Viewing and Critique of the Hugh Ross video Journey to Creation
November 9	Canceled for lecture by Alexei Bodrov
November 16	Refreshments only
November 19, FRIDAY	Ultrafast Laser Applications in Opthalmology	Greg Spooner University of Michigan
November 23	Demonstration of "EM Field" software	Roger Griffioen
November 30	Refreshments only
December 7	Magnetars: Physics in Strong Magnetic Fields	Peter Gonthier, Hope College

September 14: Calvin summer research
Larry Molnar and Jon Niehof (Calvin senior), High-Dynamic-Range Radio Images of Saturn's Rings
David Van Baak, The Total Solar Eclipse of 11 August 1999

September 21: Calvin summer research
Stan Haan and Klaas Hoekema (Calvin sophomore), Numerical Studies of Strong-Field Double Photoionization of 2-electron model Atoms
Steve Steenwyk and Mark Joshua (Calvin senior), Magnetic Behaviors of Ni Fe / Fe Mn Thin Film Couples and of Ni Fe / Cu [or Ag] Interfaces

September 28: Calvin summer research
Matthew Walhout and Nathaniel Miller (Calvin junior) Experiments with Metastable Krypton Atoms
Matthew Walhout and Jaclyn Guikema (Calvin junior) One-dimensional Pattern Formation in a Dielectric-Barrier Discharge

October 5:
Steve Platt and Steve Steenwyk demonstrate some nifty lab equipment recently acquired by the department.

October 12:
David Van Baak, Variational Methods in Physics: What are they, and what can we learn from them?

WEDNESDAY, October 20:
Fred Adams, University of Michigan
Click here for more information about Dr. Adams and his visit, including an abstract of his talk.
Departmental Seminar: 3:45 pm in Science Building 101 (usual time and location, but on WEDNESDAY), Into the Dark: The Long Term Fate of Astrophysical Objects
Public Lecture: 8:00pm in Science Building B30, The Five Ages of the Universe: Inside the Physics of Eternity

October 26:
no seminar due to reading/advising recess

November 2:
Viewing and Critique of the Hugh Ross video Journey to Creation.
Hugh Ross is a noted Christian apologist, who uses scientific evidence to argue for the existence of God. We will view the video, then discuss Ross' arguments.

November 9:
Regular seminar is canceled, so that we can attend a lecture by Dr. Alexei Bodrov, director of St. Michael's Biblical College in Moscow. Dr. Bodrov is trained as a physicist and taught physics for several years before switching to full-time Christian ministry. The lecture is at 3:30pm in Meeter Center Lecture Hall.

November 16:
No seminar today (due to the talk on Friday November 19), but refreshments as usual at 3:30pm in SB 153.

FRIDAY November 19:
Greg Spooner University of Michigan Center for Ultrafast Optical Science
Ultrafast Laser Applications in Ophthalmology
Abstract: Laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) is a well known phenomenon in which the high intensity electric fields associated with high peak power lasers can exceed atomic ionization thresholds. LIOB is accompanied by an expansion and cooling of the plasma generated during LIOB, the generation and propagation of a shock wave front, and in liquids, the formation, expansion and collapse of a cavitation bubble. Collectively known as photodisruption, these processes can be used for microsurgery. LIOB threshold energy decreases with pulse width, allowing femtosecond pulse photodisruption in tissues with microJoule energies. Microsurgical procedures requiring great precision are then possible. I will discuss our laser technology development program at the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science for ultrafast laser surgery and three classes of potential ophthalmic applications using femtosecond pulses: refractive surgery, sub-scleral channel drilling for filtration surgery in glaucoma, and minimally invasive cataract surgery.

November 23:
Roger Griffioen will lead us in a demonstration of the "EM Field" software package (used in Physics 225). You pick the charge distribution, and it draws field lines, equipotential lines, and more! Come see for yourself. After refreshments, we'll move to S138 so everyone can sit at a computer.

November 30:
Seminar is canceled, so that departmental faculty can attend a special campus-wide faculty meeting. The originally advertised event (discussion of a possible 10th planet in the solar system) is post-poned until spring semester.

December 7:
Peter Gonthier, Hope College
Magnetars: Physics in Strong Magnetic Fields
Abstract: Recent observation are providing evidence for the existence of isolated neutron stars having ultra-strong magnetic fields. In this talk, we will examine how to measure the magnetic fields of neutron stars. We will explore the exotic physics required to explain the observed physical phenomena using the most successful theory, quantum electrodynamics (QED). We will look into the anatomy of a gamma-ray pulsar and examine the mechanisms for producing high energy radiation and focus on the predictions of QED as the magnetic field strength exceeds the quantum critical field.