Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - Physics Seminar Series - Spring 2011
Please join us for a talk by Dr. Ann Silversmith of Hamilton College
Synthesis and spectroscopy of rare earth based glasses:
Solution-gelation (“sol-gel”) synthesis is a low-temperature approach to making glass. In our research we incorporate rare earth (RE) ions as impurities in SiO2 sol-gel glass and study the optical behavior of the glasses. Sol-gel glasses have potential applications as laser media and solid-state phosphors, but several fluorescence quenching mechanisms must first be understood and then minimized. In this talk I will present results from several studies by our group that have focused on the role of aluminum additives to increase fluorescence yield. Sol-gel glasses are porous materials, and we have developed a new technique - Post Annealing Immersion – to study the locations of RE ions within the pore structure under different synthesis conditions.
Ann Silversmith specializes in looking at laser spectroscopy of rare earths in insulating solids. In 1989, Silversmith joined the Hamilton College faculty after completing a Ph.D. at the Australian National University and doing post-doctoral work at the IBM Almaden Research Center. Silversmith introduced laser spectroscopy, an aspect of physics easily accessible to students, to the Hamilton Physics Department and has supervised more than 30 research students. Two of her student collaborators were named finalists for the Apker Award, given annually by the American Physical Society for excellence in undergraduate research. Silversmith specializes in developing new laser materials that would be useful in the solid state laser industry and is currently investigating the spectroscopy of rare earth doped sol-gel glasses. Her research has been funded by the Research Corporation and National Science Foundation. Silversmith's recent papers have appeared in the Journal of Noncrystallized Solids and the Journal of Luminescence.
All seminars will be held in CNS 204 at 12:10 (unless otherwise indicated). Pizza and refreshments will be available for $1. Remember to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Please bring your own cup.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact the Physics Department at jackerman@ithaca.edu. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20110324124446593