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May 1994

Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 393-480

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Comment on ‘‘Editorial: Magnetic monopoles or cross products? Is physics too difficult?,’’ by Robert H. Romer [Am. J. Phys. 61, 1065–1066 (1993)]

Andrea Raspini

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 393

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation

Where are the monopoles?

Marcel Wellner

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 393

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation

Jerks and monopoles: Physical effects of the third derivative

Morris W. Leen

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 393 | Cited 1 time

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
45.05.+x General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems

Physics and philosophy

Morton Tavel

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 393

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.70.+w Philosophy of science
01.75.+m Science and society
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Guest Comment: Why the APS must concern itself with education

Ruth H. Howes and K. B. Lyons

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 395

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
01.75.+m Science and society
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Fraunhofer diffraction of visible light by a narrow slit

T. W. Mayes and B. F. Melton

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 397 | Cited 5 times

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A single slit of width 4.90 μm was formed by chemically etching a 0.17 μm thick chromium film deposited on glass. The diffraction pattern obtained when the slit was illuminated with light from a 10 mW He–Ne laser, polarized first parallel and then perpendicular to the slit, was experimentally determined for angles of incidence between 0° and 45°. The measured diffraction patterns were first compared with predictions made using the scalar Helmholtz equation with either the Kirchhoff or the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld obliquity factors. The experimental patterns were also compared with the results of an exact numerical solution of Maxwell’s equations for the diffraction problem using the method of Neerhoff and Mur. All theoretical predictions agreed well with measurement for incident angles smaller than 10°, and, although no prediction agreed exactly with measurement at the largest angles of incidence, predictions obtained using the scalar Helmholtz equation with the Kirchhoff obliquity factor agreed with experiment best overall.
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42.25.Fx Diffraction and scattering
03.50.De Classical electromagnetism, Maxwell equations

Quantum spectrum of a chain of oscillators

Damián H. Zanette

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 404

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We analyze some statistical properties in the quantum spectrum of a chain of linear oscillators. Although completely integrable, the classical version of this system exhibits very complicated motion. Studying the energy‐spacing distribution of the quantum problem we find that, for a large number of oscillators, the spectrum shows the typical characteristics of an integrable system, and conclude that no signs of the classical complicated behavior appear at quantum level. We also point out that the energy‐spacing distribution is not stationary as the energy grows. This analysis—complete with a comparison of our results with those for a particle in an N‐dimensional box—contains several points of pedagogical interest.
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03.65.Ge Solutions of wave equations: bound states
05.45.-a Nonlinear dynamics and chaos
03.65.Sq Semiclassical theories and applications

Exploring one‐dimensional quantum mechanics with transfer matrices

James S. Walker and J. Gathright

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 408 | Cited 8 times

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An exact transfer‐matrix formalism is developed for analyzing and solving problems in one‐dimensional quantum mechanics. We show that with only three general‐purpose matrices—one to propagate a wave function over a region of constant potential, one to take a wave function over a discontinuity in a potential, and one to connect a wave function across a delta function—a rich and intriguing variety of behavior is revealed. Not only are standard results recovered with this technique, in ways suitable for presentation in the classroom, but new findings and applications are discussed as well. A primary advantage of the transfer‐matrix approach is that it facilitates wide‐ranging explorations of one‐dimensional quantum mechanics by both students and researchers, especially when implemented with Mathematica. For those interested in pursuing independent explorations, an electronic, interactive version of this paper, complete with the figures given here and the code that generates them, is available over Internet as a Mathematica notebook.
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03.65.Ca Formalism
01.50.ht Instructional computer use

Renormalized vibrations of a loaded spring

J. M. Nunes da Silva

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 423

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The classical problem of the elastic oscillations of a particle suspended on a spring of non‐negligible mass is approached under the perspective of the renormalization group theory. This allows one to illustrate the nature of the renormalization group technique of wide application in the study of critical phenomena.
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62.30.+d Mechanical and elastic waves; vibrations
64.60.A- Specific approaches applied to studies of phase transitions
01.50.Kw Techniques of testing

Wave front relativity

William Moreau

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 426

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A complete picture of the relativity of wave fronts, heretofore lacking, is presented in the context of an expanding spherical light wave as recorded in two Lorentz frames in relative motion.
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03.30.+p Special relativity

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy in the undergraduate research laboratory

R. Voor, L. Chow, and A. Schulte

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 429 | Cited 3 times

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Modern materials science requires processing and characterization techniques for microscopic structures. Molecular probes such as Raman spectroscopy are some of the most viable tools, particularly if they are supplemented by imaging to obtain spatially resolved compositional information of inhomogeneous or low volume samples. In order to introduce these techniques and materials science experiments into the advanced undergraduate laboratory, we have constructed an inexpensive micro‐Raman attachment, which consists of an off‐the‐shelf microscope and the coupling optics to an existing Raman spectrometer. The modification of the microscope, the optical coupling, and a low cost viewing system for positioning the laser excitation on the sample are described in detail. The students study molecular spectra of new materials such as diamond films, Fullerenes, and biological compounds with spatial resolution of several microns.
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01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
82.80.Ms Mass spectrometry (including SIMS, multiphoton ionization and resonance ionization mass spectrometry, MALDI)
42.65.Dr Stimulated Raman scattering; CARS
42.65.Es Stimulated Brillouin and Rayleigh scattering

Scaling properties in the diffraction of focused waves and an application to scanning beams

G. W. Forbes

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 434 | Cited 6 times

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From the Fresnel approximation to the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld solution for scalar wave propagation it follows that the field generated by a focused wave passing through an arbitrary aperture is simply related to the field generated by a collimated beam that is diffracted by any aperture of the same shape—the transverse intensity patterns are simply scaled and shifted. In fact, this result provides a simple, diffraction‐based model for the action of a lens. A closed‐form expression is found for the width of the beam generated by a focused uniform field that is diffracted by a circular aperture and, as an illustrative application, the beam of smallest maximum width over a fixed scanning depth is investigated.  
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42.25.Fx Diffraction and scattering

The photodiode array camera: A new method for acquiring airtrack data

Crispin O. Butler and David Bergeron

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 444 | Cited 1 time

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A linear photodiode array mounted in a camera body provides an excellent means of acquiring position‐time information for gliders moving on an airtrack. Based on the output of a 512 photodiode array, a computer calculates positions of two gliders simultaneously with a resolution of 10 μm and accuracy of 400 μm along the full length of a 2 m airtrack. Motions lasting up to 5 min can be acquired at rates of 50 positions per second. The resulting data can be interpreted with the aid of spreadsheets and graphing programs. Setup, calibration, and operation of the apparatus are simple enough that students can design and perform their own mechanics experiments.
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01.50.ht Instructional computer use
06.30.Gv Velocity, acceleration, and rotation
45.05.+x General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems

On the physics of Landau damping

David Sagan

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 450 | Cited 7 times

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Landau damping—the damping of coherent oscillations in a system of oscillators with feedback—has been observed in many diverse systems from plasmas to quarks to the flashing of fireflies. There are two general approaches that have been used to understand Landau damping: One approach analyzes Landau damping in terms of the dephasing of oscillators. Another approach explains Landau damping as the result of an energy drain to those oscillators that are resonant with a coherent oscillation. Both approaches are studied in this paper and it is shown that while the two approaches may seem different, they are both valid descriptions of Landau damping.
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52.35.-g Waves, oscillations, and instabilities in plasmas and intense beams

Velocity fields inside a conducting sphere near a slowly moving charge

J. M. Aguirregabiria, A. Hernández, and M. Rivas

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 462 | Cited 2 times

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Explicit expressions for first‐order electric and magnetic fields created inside a conducting sphere by a nearby slowly moving charge are given. They are found to be independent of the sphere radius. On the contrary, outer first‐order fields, which are also computed, depend on it. The energy dissipation by Joule effect is calculated and shown to agree with the external first‐order work done on the charge to maintain its uniform motion.  
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41.20.-q Applied classical electromagnetism
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Demonstration of optical logic operations using fiber‐optic interferometry

F. Farahi and T. W. Mayes

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 467 | Cited 2 times

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Abstract Unavailable
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42.79.Ta Optical computers, logic elements, interconnects, switches; neural networks
07.60.Ly Interferometers

The real part of a wave function in tunneling

Katsunori Mita

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 470

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Abstract Unavailable
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03.65.Ge Solutions of wave equations: bound states
03.65.Nk Scattering theory

Comment on ‘‘Getting contextual and nonlocal elements‐of‐reality the easy way,’’ by R. Clifton [Am. J. Phys. 61, 443–447 (1993)]

Helle Bechmann Johansen

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 471 | Cited 6 times

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03.65.Ta Foundations of quantum mechanics; measurement theory

Comment on ‘‘Chaos in a computer‐animated pendulum,’’ by R. L. Kautz [Am. J. Phys. 61, 407–415 (1993)]

Lawrence Ruby

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 472

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.50.ht Instructional computer use
45.05.+x General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems
02.70.Bf Finite-difference methods
02.60.Lj Ordinary and partial differential equations; boundary value problems
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A simple picoammeter for thermionic emission measurements

Clark Wagner and Henn H. Soonpaa

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 473 | Cited 1 time

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Abstract Unavailable
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79.40.+z Thermionic emission
07.50.-e Electrical and electronic instruments and components
07.55.-w Magnetic instruments and components
01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus

An electroscope discriminating the sign of charges

Salvatore Ganci

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 474

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus
07.50.-e Electrical and electronic instruments and components
84.30.-r Electronic circuits
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Encyclopedia of Cosmology: Historical, Philosophical, and Scientific Foundations of Modern Cosmology

Norriss S. Hetherington, Author and Yuri V. Balashov

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 475

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Kj Handbooks, dictionaries, tables, and data compilations
98.80.-k Cosmology

Light and Color in the Outdoors

Marcel G. J. Minnaert, Author and Robert Greenler

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 476

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Ee Monographs and collections
42.25.-p Wave optics
42.15.-i Geometrical optics

Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics

Ashok Das, Author, Thomas Ferbel, Author, and N. Gauthier

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 477

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.mp Textbooks for undergraduates
21.10.-k Properties of nuclei; nuclear energy levels
12.10.-g Unified field theories and models

In the Shadow of the Bomb: Physics and Arms Control

Sidney Drell, Author and Benoit Morel

American Journal of Physics -- May 1994 -- Volume 62, Issue 5, pp. 478

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Ee Monographs and collections
01.75.+m Science and society
28.70.+y Nuclear explosions
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