MIT Lambda Project

the Program
Participants will spend the most of their time in LabRoom 6-007 at MIT, a space donated by the George Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratories. Levels of participation will vary from experience to experience, and can be tailored to meet both time and prior science knowledge considerations. There are two types of common sequences for students, completion for some type of science project, and completion for the experience of working in a MIT lab facility, utilizing knowledge from class in a real life situation. In both situations, the participants should plan on spending a few hours in the lab for at least two session with the program director, becoming familiar with the apparatus and learning about the science theory behind the operation of it. Also included would be training in how to perform certain lab techniques, carry out data analysis via instrumentation and computer analysis, as well as proper laser safety instruction. Motivated students may then carry out more advanced explorations that may extend over term or during the summer. Students learn basic physics and chemistry principles, modern optics, advanced materials properties, computer data analysis techniques, and general lab safety. For example, students learn answers to questions such as: What is light? What is diffraction? How does a diffraction grating work? How does a laser work? What is an acoustic wave? How does the structure and composition of complex materials affect the way sound travels through them? What is a Fourier Transform? How is digital data analysed by a computer? More long term students may also get the chance, through collaboration with the CMSE Department, to get hands on expereince with vapor deposition and profillometry, techniques used for depositing thin films on wafes, and mechanically measuring the thinkness and profile of thin materials. The students could then create their own thin films, profile them, and analyze them in the laser lab. Pedagogical resources are provided at a variety of levels, to suit the needs of students with a variety of math and science backgrounds. Upon completion of a project, students may be invited (based on plant availibility) to visit an industrial R&D lab where similar techniques are being applied for real-world applications. This provides students with the opportunity to learn about different types of scientific careers.

the Program

Participants will spend the most of their time in LabRoom 6-007 at MIT, a space donated by the George Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratories. Levels of participation will vary from experience to experience, and can be tailored to meet both time and prior science knowledge considerations.

There are two types of common sequences for students, completion for some type of science project, and completion for the experience of working in a MIT lab facility, utilizing knowledge from class in a real life situation. In both situations, the participants should plan on spending a few hours in the lab for at least two session with the program director, becoming familiar with the apparatus and learning about the science theory behind the operation of it. Also included would be training in how to perform certain lab techniques, carry out data analysis via instrumentation and computer analysis, as well as proper laser safety instruction.

Motivated students may then carry out more advanced explorations that may extend over term or during the summer. Students learn basic physics and chemistry principles, modern optics, advanced materials properties, computer data analysis techniques, and general lab safety. For example, students learn answers to questions such as:

What is light?
What is diffraction?
How does a diffraction grating work?
How does a laser work?
What is an acoustic wave?
How does the structure and composition of complex materials affect the way sound travels through them?
What is a Fourier Transform?
How is digital data analysed by a computer?

More long term students may also get the chance, through collaboration with the CMSE Department, to get hands on expereince with vapor deposition and profillometry, techniques used for depositing thin films on wafes, and mechanically measuring the thinkness and profile of thin materials. The students could then create their own thin films, profile them, and analyze them in the laser lab.

Pedagogical resources are provided at a variety of levels, to suit the needs of students with a variety of math and science backgrounds. Upon completion of a project, students may be invited (based on plant availibility) to visit an industrial R&D lab where similar techniques are being applied for real-world applications. This provides students with the opportunity to learn about different types of scientific careers.