This project involves development of the Advanced Physics Laboratory course to allow undergraduate students to study select topics from atomic, molecular, and solid state physics and learn the methods of modern experimental techniques. A computer-interfaced optical spectroscopy system (spectrophotometer) is helping to develop three new experiments on atomic physics, molecular physics, and quantum mechanics. The experiments are measuring the Rydberg constant, isotope structure, and fine structure for the atomic transitions in hydrogen, the molecular optical transitions of N2, and the energy gap of silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide. Students can greatly benefit from training on the computer-interfaced, high-resolution equipment, while learning essential laws of physics.
