9452036 Drossman The Colorado College Chemistry and Physics faculty are building a modern laboratory program to support our strong undergraduate curriculum. Unfortunately, we do not currently study laboratory applications of lasers in chemistry and physics. Our goal is to introduce all of our physical science students to lasers. In this proposal, we request funds for laser and optical equipment to alleviate curricular deficiencies in the chemistry and physics laboratories. A corridor display will be constructed in the main entrance to the science building to capture visiting students' interest and to build familiarity with lasers. Laser-based labs will be added to supplement current offerings in general chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical instrumentation, modern experimental physics, modern optics and in classes in our new interdisciplinary majors in biochemistry and environmental chemistry. Fundamentals of optical design will be added as a laboratory topic in instrumental analysis. Student instrumentation projects incorporating lasers will provide new opportunities for them to develop and evaluate their own instruments. Projects in flash photolysis, thermal lens calorimetry, fast chemical lifetime measurement, and Raman spectroscopy will be added to enhance the lab curriculum in physical and inorganic chemistry. Experiments in phase conjugation and two photon absorption will be added for physics majors. Projects in thermal lens and fluorescence detection, flow cytometry, ligand binding and fluorescence polarization will be added to the new laboratories in biophysical and bioanalytical chemistry. Experiments in remote sensing and photolysis of organic pollutants will be developed for use in the recently upgraded environmental science program. Finally, new experiments will be developed for an experimental "Topics in Lasers" class. The proposed laser equipment will also be used for senior student research projects.
