Andrew Alexander (Truman State University) worked with Prof. Victor Kwong in studying the motion of ions in an rf quadropole ion trap. The trapped ions can have stable or unstable trajectories, but there is no analytical solution for the boundary between stable and unstable motion. Alexander performed experiments and computer simulations in order to determine the boundary of the stable region for a cylindrical ion trap. 

Adam Hammouda (Kalamazoo College) worked with Prof. David Shelton. Hammouda fabricated an optical thin film, and characterized its properties as an optical filter. Hammouda employed reactive magnetron sputtering deposition using materials with high refractive index (Si3N4) and low refractive index (SiO2). He was able to tailor the properties of the optical filter. 

Gregory Harding (Harvey Mudd College) worked with Prof. Andrew Cornelius. Harding studied the properties of titanium hydride (TiH2) at high pressure (up to 50 GPa, a half million atmospheres) using x-ray diffraction from synchrotron radiation at UNLV’s beam line at the Advanced Photon Source. Titanium hydride is of interest for high density hydrogen storage. An equation of state was obtained for the unit cell of titanium hydride over the range of pressure up to 53 GPa. 

Alexandra Leandre (Bennett College) worked with Prof. John Farley and Michael Rodriguez (California Lutheran University) with Prof. Pamela Burnley. Leandre and Rodriguez used laser microRaman spectroscopy to study of reduced synthesized spinel powders. They synthesized spinels, and reduced them by heating them at 700 C in an H2/Ar atmosphere. This reduced Fe3O4 to Fe2O3. The structure was confirmed by measurement using X-ray diffraction. Increased laser power converted the spinel phase for gamma γ-Fe2O3 and then to the corundum phase, α- Fe2O3. The students used laser micro-Raman spectroscopy to study mixed spinels with formula FexCr(3-x)O4 for 1≤x≤2.6.  

Joseph Lussier (Univ. of San Francisco) worked with Prof. Oliver Tschauner, and Brittany Morgan (Seattle University) worked with Prof. Pamela Burnley. Lussier and Morgan used Raman spectroscopy to study olivine. The orientation of olivine crystals affected the relative intensity of vibrations in the Raman spectrum. This effect was used to determine the orientation of the axis of olivine crystals in a rock sample. Inclusions in garnet crystals in peridotite rock were examined by Raman spectroscopy. The unusual minerals which form these inclusions can be used to bracket the pressure, temperature and depth (in the earth) at which the inclusions were formed.

The four students (Leandre, Rodriguez, Lussier, and Morgan) worked together in a group, assisting each other with their projects and supporting each other as they learned the basics of Raman spectroscopy.  All four students met as a group with Burnley and Tschauner several times a week to discuss assigned background readings and review progress on their projects. 

Christopher Salvo (California State University, San Marcos) worked with Prof. Andrew Cornelius.  Salvo studied the properties of a 4:1 mixture of methanol:ethanol as a pressure-transmitting medium. By examining the width of the R2 line of ruby, he studied the extent to which the medium was hydrostatic.The properties were studied at temperatures ranging from 30K to 260K, and at pressures up to 12 GPa. Salvo found that the medium is hydrostatic over the entire temperature range, at pressures below 12 GPa. 

Harrison Ruiz (Mt. San Antonio College) worked with Prof. Michael Pravica. Ruiz studied the decomposition of potassium chlorate under high pressure. Potassium chlorate is commonly used as an oxygen producer when heated and as aid to explosives. The primary objective of the work was to investigate catalysis under extreme conditions. Ruiz studied potassium chlorate and manganese dioxide in the ratio  3:1 in a diamond-anvil cell, at temperatures of 50C and pressures up to 15.66 GPa.  An oxygen peak at 1566 cm-1 was sought. Perhaps surprisingly, the potassium chlorate remained stable under these conditions. Harrison also worked with Prof. Pravica on the first ever experiments of FOX7, a promising new insensitive explosive, HMX, and melamine in a Paris-Edinburgh cell.  One paper based on this work has been accepted in High Pressure Research,  reporting  the first high pressure and high temperature study of FOX 7. This was the first paper written and accepted for publication for experiments performed at the 16 BM-B beamline at the Advanced Photon Source using this important technique. A second manuscript is under review.

Jennifer Wojno (Univ. of Louisville) worked with Prof. Michael Pravica in performing high pressure infrared studies of HMX, an explosive compound. The sample was loaded into a diamond-anvil cell, and the infrared spectrum studied as a function of pressure from 0.45 to 31 GPa. All of the spectral features were identified. The spectrum changed with pressure indicating at least one and possibly three phase transitions, one of which (near 6 GPa) had never before been observed.  Pressure cycling of the HMX sample indicated that all changes were completely reversible and that the molecule does not decompose up to at least 31 GPa, which contradicts an earlier report by Yoo claiming that the molecule decomposes within this pressure range.   Understanding the behavior of secondary explosives under extreme conditions is vital not only to better understand the mechanism of detonation but also to develop safe handling protocols for handling and transporting these unstable materials. Wojno also worked with Prof. Pravica on the first ever experiments of FOX7, a promising new insensitive explosive, HMX, and melamine in a Paris-Edinburgh cell.  One paper based on this work has been accepted in High Pressure Research,  reporting  the first high pressure and high temperature study of FOX 7. This was the first paper written and accepted for experiments performed at the 16 BM-B beamline at the Advanced Photon Source using this important technique. A second manuscript is under review.

Annual Report Summer 2010 for NSF REU grant DMR-1005247