Dr. Ron Henderson

ronh@physics.mtsu.edu

Dr. Robert Carlton

Physics & Astronomy

N/A

WPS 203

Replacement of Existing Technology

These requests are for the electronics, semiconductor, laser and fiber optics-related laboratory courses we offer in the department. Some of the electronic instruments have been in use since the 60's. They do not provide the stability and precision that is needed for today's technology. The speed of some of the instrumentation is not sufficiently high to perform tests and assist in the design of semiconductor-based applications. The software will make possible calculations, simulations, and design formulations that will enable students to design, build and explore state- of-the-art solid state or semiconductor devices with real-world applications.

The project purpose is to bring our upper division laboratories into the 21st century with the replacement of some very outdated electronic and test equipment with high technology laboratory equipment. These laboratories service not only our physics majors and minors but also an increasing number of Recording Industry majors taking the Electro-Acoustics minor in that department. These courses and laboratories have just been modernized through curriculum reform that immerses our students in the latest in ideas and capabilities in the area of semi-conductor chips and technology. Our emphasis on applied physics in the department requires that we make the technology we use compatible with the technology we teach, since physics is a laboratory-based science. This is not an all-or-none project. We have listed items iv a priority order with the highest priority first. We could even manage to go all the way down the list and take as many of the last item as funds are available, with the hope of completing the remaining ones the next year. This project will impact courses: PHYS 331, 334, 335, 350, 391, 392. The typical enrollment in these courses could be expected to be no higher than 10-14. In any one year five of the six courses will be offered, giving approximately 20 - 50 per year. Students use the software in designing electronic and semiconductor circuits and devices, and in simulating operating characteristics of electronic designs. The power supplies are a critical component in any and all operational electronic circuitry. The oscilloscopes are used to monitor component output from constructed devices.