THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY — BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY — FALL 2015
CHAIR’S MES
FEATURE STO
Reducing Th
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Turning a Ho
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BYU Al
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E AWARDS
STAFF SERVIC
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RTICIPANTS
2015 SRC PA
RECOG
NEW HIRES /
EPARTME
2015-2016 D
NITION
NT CALENDAR
pson
Camilla Stim
Tanner Call,
Danica Baird
on
Scott Berges
, Ye Liang
Hank Hansen
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Managing Ed
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Faculty Advi
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FROM THE CHAIR
Richard Vanfleet
Dear Friends and Alumni,
2014 to 2015 was a good year for the
Department of Physics and Astronomy. We
graduated 54 bachelor’s degrees, five master’s degrees, and two doctoral degrees.
The American Physical Society (APS) has
designated us as a “top producer” for averaging 42 BS physics degrees per year from 2010
to 2012. This ranks us 19th nationally for
PhD-granting institutions. Faculty was awarded $1.3 million in new or continuing research
grants and about $450,000 in beam and observing time on large facilities and other donations.
Our physics teaching program continues
to excel. A few years ago, the Physics Teacher
Education Coalition (PhysTEC) began a
recognition program called the “5+ Club.” Any
program that graduated five or more physics
teaching majors per year could be members. We
were at the top of the list with 17 graduates.
Last year, I mentioned a new endowed scholarship for physics teaching majors. Thanks
to your donations, we awarded two halftuition scholarships to teaching majors. Your
contributions are vital to providing teaching
scholarships. In other news, we remodeled part
of the old demonstration prep area (room N106
ESC) to make a new teaching area for the science
teaching majors. It’s a great resource for all of
our teachers. Stop by and see it when you are
on campus.
Last year, 252 of our 312 physics and
astronomy majors participated in mentored
experiences. This resulted in 40 seniors completing thesis or capstone projects, 133 students
presenting at professional conferences, and
45 students co-authoring on peer-reviewed publications. I firmly believe that these experiences
give our students a real competitive edge
when applying for jobs and graduate school.
If you have a minute, send me a note at
Richard_Vanfleet@byu.edu describing how
your research experiences helped you achieve
your career goals.
I invite you to come to Provo and see what
we are doing in the department. We have special
events associated with Homecoming in October
and graduations in April and August and we
encourage you to visit in time for those events,
but we will be happy to see and visit with you
at any time.
One of our greatest assets to help our current students is our former students. Please
consider some of the ways you can help
that may go beyond the greatly appreciated
financial donations. Keep us updated about
internship and job opportunities within your
influence. Help mentor our students by taking
one to lunch or by offering to help as an adviser
on a project. We and our students are interested
in your stories and insights.
For the upcoming academic year, your
donations have funded the equivalent of 33
half-tuition semester scholarships. We ask you
to continue your contributions; if you desire
to donate to an endowed scholarship, please
contact me or Brent Hall (801-422-4501 or
brenth@byu.edu) in the college office.
Thanks for your continuing support.
3
JAZMIN
obby into a
Turning a H
when jazmin myres started at BYU in
2010, she came with a love of music and a plan
to major in math. However, after taking a
few physics classes, she found that physics
incorporated the best of both worlds—her skills
at math and her interest in music.
“I ended up in the acoustics research
group,” Myres said. “I worked with jet noise
primarily, but they do a lot of music-related
acoustics. That’s what really got me interested
in physics—the combination of math solving
musical problems.”
Since then, Myres has been able to turn
her hobby into a career. After graduating
from BYU in 2014 with a degree in applied
physics, she landed a job in Maryland with
the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
Her time is divided between two projects.
One is defense-related sonar systems design.
The other is related to the acoustics of military
jet noise.
“I was drawn to NAVAIR because the
work related directly to my research and interest
in acoustics. They work on aero-acoustics
and underwater acoustics, both fields which I
am very interested in,” said Myres. “It is also
a pleasure to work for the Department of
Defense and serve our country as a civilian.”
As a Sonar Systems Design Physicist,
Myres develops signal processing algorithms
and code to identify underwater targets, which
is anything that threatens National Security.
This work directly protects American troops,
coasts, and interests.
“It is extremely important to maintain
military dominance of the seas, and sonar
systems is one tool that our military uses to
do that,” Myres said.
Career
Article by Ca
milla Stimps
on
In her other role, she works as a team
leader alongside three other young engineers
to solve problems such as converting acoustical
energy from jet noise into usable electric
power. The work Myres does is hands-on and
allows her to engage with problem solving.
“It’s really fun to have a problem and be
able to find a solution,” Myres said. “There’s
often more than one right solution, but it’s really
exciting when you have a challenge . . . and
you can find an answer. It’s super rewarding
for me.”
During her time at BYU, Myres was able to
get unique hands-on opportunities alongside
her professors, even as an undergraduate. She
was able to work with many professors she
loved and gain experience that proved valuable
in the field.
“At BYU, they are really unique in allowing
undergraduates to do significant research. I haven’t really seen that in any other universities,”
Myres said. “Everyone is really impressed that
undergraduates at BYU have such an opportunity to work directly with professors.”
Because of her research experience and the
internships she did, she was able to graduate
in April 2014 with the job at NAVAIR already
lined up and was able to start working the
following August.
“Physics can take you a lot of different
places,” said Myres. “You’ll always be able to
find a job.”
BYU Physics and Astronomy was a great
place for Myers to start her career. Like many
graduates of the department, she deeply
appreciates the investment the professors, the
department, and the university made in her
education.
5
ALAN
BYU Alu
Acoustics
m Improves
for Air Force
nobody loves the noise that fighter jets make.
That’s what Alan Wall is attempting to reduce.
As an undergraduate at Utah State, Wall overheard a professor mention that 3-D holograms
could be constructed from anything made of
waves, including light and sound.
“I was intrigued by the idea, so I did some
online searching and found ‘sound images’ of
vehicles and machinery,” Wall said.
He went on to receive a bachelor’s in physics at
Utah State University (2008) and a PhD in physics
at BYU (2013). While at BYU, Wall made acoustical
holograms of jets with Dr. Kent Gee.
“We measured the sound field in two dimensions near a fighter jet,” Wall said. “Then we
used a knowledge of the physics of sound waves
to reconstruct or visualize the sound field in
three dimensions.”
His experience has led him to his current job at
the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) near
Dayton, Ohio in the Battlespace Acoustics Branch.
“I now support the Air Force mission to
protect the hearing of its personnel and reduce
community noise problems that arise near air
bases,” Wall said. “I am also working to turn my
acoustical holography capability into an engineering tool in order to measure and reduce
noise on the next generation of aircraft engines.”
Wall is thankful for the time he got to spend
studying acoustics and physics at BYU, and
6
Article by Ta
attributes that education to much of his success.
“The classes I took prepared me with the
understanding of physical principles and the
ability to apply them,” Wall said. “Most every day
I am using the equations I derived and memorized
during my acoustics courses, as well as the data
analysis techniques I learned in my PhD research.”
nner Call
description can convey the overwhelming feeling
of standing 75 feet from an F-22 as it revs its
engines from idle up through full afterburner
while tied down to a thrust pad,” Wall said. “The
physical effect of the sound waves blasting
through your body is something I wish everyone
could experience at least once, while wearing
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Wall still studies the physics of sound and
reads articles on jet noise, but he also gets to see
physics in action.
“I apply my understanding of sound wave
phenomena to investigate how various sound
sources produce sound waves, how those waves
travel through the air, and how they affect the
people listening to them,” he said.
Even though he has worked with acoustics
for many years, Wall still gets a thrill every time
he works with an actual fighter aircraft. “No
double hearing protection, of course.”
Wall also finds it rewarding when he discovers
a new way to solve a problem or investigate a
physical principle of jet noise.
“I get on my computer and try something,
struggle with the programming a bit, and then
finally it works, and I have learned something
new,” Wall said. “In these moments I can’t wait
to show to someone else, and share in some new
physical insight.”
7
BEN
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physics extends far beyond the lab; it plays
a key role into protecting our troops and our
freedom.
Ben Pratt-Ferguson, who graduated in physics
with a math minor from BYU in 1992 and then
a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University in
1997, has worked at Raytheon Company for
16 years.
Raytheon is a technology and innovation
leader specializing in defense, civil government,
and cybersecurity markets throughout the world.
Raytheon supports U.S. and allied troops by
providing state-of-the-art electronics, mission
systems integration and other capabilities
in the areas of sensing.
They provide command, control, communications, and intelligence systems. Raytheon
also includes training for the troops on
how to effectively use these high-tech tools.
“We build the structure for testing and performance evaluation of the system at the software
level,” Pratt-Ferguson said. “We have to build the
aerodynamics and the environment around the
missile. In other words, we put the missile virtually
into a virtual world.” This is a world of huge
g-forces, massive acceleration, high speeds, viscous drag, and frictional heating.
The use of aerospace technology in the
workplace was what drew Pratt-Ferguson to
Raytheon. He learned about defense-related
aerospace technology at BYU. He earned an Air
Force ROTC scholarship and was able to take
some classes to learn about missile technology
in the armed services.
“I’ve been interested in aerospace and
defense-related items since I was young,” PrattFerguson said. “So in that sense, I had already
been interested in some of the technologies that
the Air Force uses.”
Much of the work Pratt-Ferguson does involves technology-based problem solving. With his
background in physics, he is able to work through
these problems.
“Solving technical problems is what I enjoy
most,” Pratt-Ferguson said. “What keeps me
motivated is . . . first, the challenge of solving the
problem. The second is understanding the bigger
picture. Why am I solving this problem? Who
am I helping? The answer always points back to
our war fighters.”
Article by Ca
8
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GARY
Reducing Th
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Article by Ta
Nation thro
tecting the
nner Call
while the nation fixated on John Glenn
orbiting the earth in 1962, 11-year old Gary
Stradling discovered his passion for science and a
desire to make a change in the world.
"I was a farm boy who was not academically
inclined," Stradling said. "Going to BYU and
experiencing the faculty and other students in
a challenging environment that required me to
study, to work hard, and to produce competent
work was really important.”
The connections he made and the education
he earned at BYU led him along an adventurous
path to his current job. Stradling currently works
as chief of the Monitoring and Verification
Technologies Office in the Defense Threat
Reduction Agency (DTRA), which focuses on
compliance with international agreements, specifically in arms control.
Stradling’s interest in working with the DTRA
was stemmed when he reread college level geology.
"It was interesting and exciting. Much of that
science was developed since I got my doctorate,”
Stradling said. “I am as active in learning new stuff
10
ugh Physics
now as I ever was. It's necessary in order to do
this work."
Stradling received his bachelor's and master's
degrees in physics at BYU. He went on to get
another master's and a PhD in applied science
and plasma physics from the University of
California, Davis, while working at the Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory
Before Stradling’s current job at DTRA, he
served 31 years at Los Alamos National Lab,
which included two tours in the Office of the
Secretary of Defense (OSD).
His experiences included laser fusion research and x-ray physics, nuclear weapon testing,
hyper-velocity impact studies and leading
negotiations of the Open Skies Treaty
implementation agreement.
"Some of my colleagues criticized me for
not focusing on becoming the world expert in
one area of physics. They thought that's the only
way you can make an impact," Stradling said. "But
my interest has always been in applied physics
and how you make the world better using those
tools. This work requires a breadth of knowledge
and experience."
Although running a government office
involves dealing with numerous levels of bureaucracy, Stradling still relies on his knowledge of
physics to get the job done.
"There is the scientific aspect of understanding the technical problems that need to be
solved, finding people who have the capacity to
solve the problem, and working with them to develop the solution," Stradling said. "The way that
I approach a problem is to say 'what is the right
way to do this based on my physics understanding
and development experience?'"
While he may not be the world expert in
any single topic, Stradling loves where his career
has taken him. He loves the diversity of science
he works with, and is glad for the opportunity
to make the world better.
He said, "I get to make meaningful
contributions to national security, do things that
make a difference, and have opportunities to
affect the nation's approach to some really
difficult problems."
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STAFF SERVICE AWARDS
2011
Scott Daniel
35 YEARS
Mark Erickson
10 YEARS
Wesley Lifferth
30 YEARS
Wayne Peterson
35 YEARS
2012
Freeman Anderson
30 YEARS
Diann Sorenson
25 YEARS
2014
Nan Ah You
40 YEARS
James Adams – Steve Turley
Matthew Ashby – Michael Ware
Pegah Aslani – Scott Sommerfeldt
Kolton Barfuss – Mark Transtrum
Lawrence Barrett – Robert Davis
Dallin Burton – Kate Johnson
Mark Berardi – Tim Leishman
Kendall Berry – Robert Davis
Ty Beus – Manuel Berrondo
Kade Bishop – Scott Bergeson
Dane Bjork – Mark Transtrum
Joshua Bodon – Tim Leishman
Nathan Boyer – Robert Davis
Matthew Calton – Scott Sommerfeldt
12
John Ellsworth
10 YEARS
Jeff Farrer
10 YEARS
Andrew Davis – Richard Vanfleet
Daniel Eliason – Bryan Peterson
Jacob Embley – John Colton
Stephen Erickson – John Colton
Alex Erikson – Scott Bergeson
Nathan Eyring – Tim Leishman
Derek Felli – Denise Stephens
Marcus Finlinson – Richard Vanfleet
James Fletcher – Michael Ware
Clement Gaillard – Denise Stephens
Douglas Gardner – Denise Stephens
Forrest Glines – David Neilsen
M. E. Gold Dahl – Scott Bergeson
Dalton Griner – Karine Chesnel
Jeannette Lawler
15 YEARS
Tyler Jones – Dallin Durfee
Adam Kingsley – Dallin Durfee
Kevin Laughlin – Robert Davis
Cassi Lee – Dallin Durfee
Kevin Leete – Kent Gee
Eli McArthur – David Neilsen
Brandon McKeon – David Allred
Michael Meehan – John Colton
Kyle Miller – John Colton
Kyle Miller – Kent Gee
Hugh Morgan – David Neilsen
Cameron Olsen – John Colton
Brian Ostler – Larry Rees
Nils Otterstrom – Dallin Durfee
NEW HIRES
Brian Anderson
Brian received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from
BYU. After earning his Ph.D. in Acoustics at
Penn State, Brian worked as a visiting professor at BYU and as a research scientist at Los
Alamos. His research has focused on developing time reversal techniques and nonlinear
acoustics for nondestructive testing.
Shelena Shamo
Shelena Shamo was promoted to department
administrative assistant in July 2014 and has
assumed all of the department secretary’s
responsibilities. She has worked in departmental financial and student affairs for many
years. Her excellent and efficient work in the
front office is a great benefit to the students,
faculty, and staff.
Nathan Powers
Nathan Powers joined the department in
March 2015. Nathan graduated from BYU
in 2006 and earned his MS and PhD degrees
at the University of Nebraska. After a short
stint in industry at KLA-Tencore, Nathan
joined the department as a professional
faculty member and assistant teaching professor. His work will focus on undergraduate
labs and teaching.
Clark Snelgrove
Clark Snelgrove joined the staff in 2014. He
supervises and maintains the demonstration
area and helps to improve the pre-med lab
courses. Prior to BYU, Clark taught physics,
chemistry, and mathematics for 28 years.
Afterwards he pursued graduate studies in
physics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute,
where he also taught and provided demonstration support.
RECOGNITION
Freeman Andersen
Freeman Andersen, laboratory supervisor,
retired in November 2014. He described
himself during his 32 years of service in
the department as a toymaker. He provided
expert service, maintaining and improving
all of the equipment for the walk-in labs,
pre-med lab courses, and upper-division labs.
He also mentored a number of physics and
astronomy students who worked for him.
Wesley Lifferth
Wesley Lifferth, department machinist and
design engineer, retired in February 2014.
Wes received his undergraduate degree in art
at BYU and produced beautiful instruments,
artistic designs, and equipment in his 34
years of service. In “retirement” Wes is
pursuing his passion for art.
Diann Sorenson
Diann Sorensen, department secretary, has
retired after 17 years of service. We greatly
appreciate her service to the department, her
cheerful attitude in the front office, and the
many ways she helped the students, faculty,
and staff in their work.
Kimball Gunther – Kent Gee
Jacob Hansen – Gus Hart
Blaine Harker – Kent Gee
Nicholas Harrison – Justin Peatross
Spencer Hart – Gus Hart
Aubrey Hatch – Robert Davis
Emma Hoggan – Grant Hart
Samuel Hord – Kent Gee
Travis Hoyt – Tim Leishman
Jarom Jackson – Dallin Durfee
Sarah Jamieson – Robert Davis
Jared Jay – David Neilsen
Zac Jensen – Tim Leishman
Adam Johanson – J. Ward Moody
Alden Pack – Mark Transtrum
Michael Pearson – Kent Gee
McKinley Pugh – Dallin Durfee
Brent Reichman – Kent Gee
Joseph Rowley – Robert Davis
Alex Safsten – Karine Chesnel
Elora Salway – Denise Stephens
Kristian Sims – Ross Spencer
Benjamin Smith – Steve Turley
David Squires – Justin Peatross
Trevor Stout – Kent Gee
KaeCee Terry – John Ellsworth
Stephanie Thomas – Steve Turley
Malachi Tolman – Mark Transtrum
Darren Torrie – Kent Gee
Brandon Vernon – David Neilsen
Cameron Vongsawad – Kent Gee
Tyler Westover – John Ellsworth
Andrew White – Mark Transtrum
Jennifer Whiting – Tim Leishman
Eric Whiting – Kent Gee
Daniel Woodbury – Scott Bergeson
Matthew Zachreson – Ross Spencer
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DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
N281 EYRING SCIENCE CENTER
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
PROVO, UTAH 84602
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