Reed College will establish a spectroscopy laboratory so that undergraduate physics majors can employ the powerful techniques of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in laboratories at the senior, junior, and sophomore levels. The flexible, research level Bruker lFS 113V spectrometer will provide the equipment necessary for senior physics majors to complete their required thesis in at least two fields of solid state spectroscopy: transmission measurements on nucleic acids and reflection measurements on high temperature superconductors. The instrument will also be used for experiments in the Advanced Laboratory and for demonstrations and limited hands-on experience in the sophomore laboratory. The instrument will provide excellent preparation of Reed physics majors for graduate work in experimental physics. In particular, the spectrometer will provide students with the opportunity to undertake advanced experiments and research projects, leading to talks at professional meetings. On a broader scale, this project will establish a serious undergraduate experimental physics program on the Reed campus.
