[Sci-all-l] Physics and Astronomy Student Colloquium: Part 1

[Scott Fleming]

Part 1 of the Vassar College Physics and Astronomy Student Colloquium will
be held on Monday, September 20 at 4:00 PM in Sanders Physics Lecture
Hall, Room 207.  Tea and cookies will be served before the talks.  All are
welcome to come and hear about the exciting research performed by Vassar
College students over the summer.  Part 1 will feature talks by Colin
Wilson and Luc Peterson:


Colin Wilson, SUNY Stony Brook, Long Island, NY
Title: "Using Acoustics To Probe The Earth"
Abstract: Acoustic waves are an excellent way to explore elastic
properties of mantle materials, but this technique is still being refined.
My study was exploring a new technique that would reduce the reliance
currently on electron accelerators. The results appear promising but more
consideration is needed before it can be implemented.

Luc Peterson, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore,
California
Title: "A Shot in the Dark"
Abstract: Radiation transport is not esoteric. Everyone knows that
standing in the sun is hotter than standing in the shade. However, the
computer modeling of electromagnetic radiation proves to be extremely
difficult. One common form of simulation, the Symbolic Implicit Monte
Carlo method, breaks down in the optically thick limit. With many
interesting optically thick systems in nature, such as super novae and
stars, improving the computer modeling of light propagation becomes
invaluable to both astronomy and physics. Initial tests show that a brand
new method, known as the Difference Formulation, may prove to be the key
to unlocking the secrets of light transport.