General Physics Laboratories
The Saint Louis University Department of Physics has three large laboratories for introductory physics courses. These laboratories feature extensive use of computers for data acquisition and analysis.
Parachute Data Analysis Laboratory
Parachute flight data acquired during test drops and wind tunnel experiments are taken to this laboratory for analysis by student researchers, using software developed by the parachute research group. Some of the work involves sophisticated image processing hardware and software.
Low-Temperature Physics Laboratory
This research laboratory contains a state-of-the-art helium cryostat for reaching temperatures close to absolute zero (-273° C). There are two cryostat inserts to perform a variety of experiments at low temperatures, including experiments in superconductivity. The laboratory also contains a high-field superconducting magnet. A Pentium III computer running LabVIEW software controls an IEEE-488 bus to automate the experiments and to analyze the data. Students may participate in this research.
Upper-Division Laboratories
The department uses three laboratories for its optics, modern physics and electronics courses. These laboratories have excellent computing facilities and are well equipped for experiments in optical interferometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction and gamma-ray spectroscopy. Students also use these laboratories for research projects under the direction of faculty.
Facilities Associated with Faculty
Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR)
An ADR capable of cooling samples to 50 mK is able to perform four-point probe measurements
and measurements of microwave resonators.
Associated Lab: David S. Wisbey, Ph.D.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
The CVD chamber is capable of producing carbon nanotubes and graphene.
Associated Lab: Irma Kuljanishvili, Ph.D.