The physics department will purchase a SPEX optical spectrometer, detectors, and a light source to be used for advanced laboratories and student research projects. Physics students will use it to learn the principles of spectroscopy and to study atomic spectroscopy, solar and skylight spectra (i.e. Rayleigh scattering), wavelength dependence of absorption and emission, and optical properties of solids, and for their student research projects. Physics computing and engineering students will interface it to a microcomputer for control and data collection. This instrument will significantly broaden the research and advanced profits available to students.
