In order to improve the quality of the Physics Advanced Instrumentation Laboratory, San Jose State will add several important instrumentation concepts (and the techniques necessary for implementation) such as: signal processing, including fast Fourier transforms and digital filtering in both time and frequency domains; data sampling and aliasing; and signal-to- noise enhancements using multichannel averaging and auto- and cross-correlations. A laboratory manual for these experiments will be produced. The instrumentation necessary to introduce these laboratory improvements consists essentially of IBM PC/XT clone computers with A/D-D/A boards installed and appropriate data analysis software. The computerized control of instrumentation with data acquisition and analysis is a common technique. Its addition will substantially improve the quality of Physics undergraduate instruction at San Jose State University. The University will match the award with an equal amount of funds.
