In radioactive decay, an unstable atomic nucleus or subatomic particle loses energy by emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves (i.e. light). This decay allows the nucleus or particle to become another type of nucleus or particle that is more stable. For several years, Hamilton faculty and students have been collaborating with several other institutions on a project known as aCORN (a correlation in neutron decay), which aims to measure the probability of every possible angle that could form between the two particles (an antineutrino and an electron) that are emitted when a neutron decays into a proton. (The particles can be released at basically any angle, but some angles are more likely than others. aCORN will determine how likely those angles are.) To make this measurement, neutrons will be allowed to decay in a magnetic field and their electron and proton decay products will be detected. It is nearly impossible to detect the actual antineutrinos, but the directions of the electrons and protons can be used to infer their direction.
Over the past few years, student researchers working with Associate Professors of Physics Brian Collett and Gordon Jones have been attempting to create a scaled down version of the magnetic field needed for the precise measurements of the experiment in order to prove that the project is feasible before spending a large sum of money on a full-scale magnetic field. This task has proved challenging because the magnetic field required by the aCORN project must be uniform (i.e. the same throughout), very strong, and spread out over a large volume. Currently, a solenoid is being used to generate the magnetic field. Solenoids, which are long coils of wire, produce a magnetic field when an electrical current is passed through them. They are useful because they are designed to produce a controlled, uniform magnetic field within some given volume where an experiment can be carried out.
Pat Barnes '10 (Odessa, N.Y.) is the latest member in a long line of Hamilton students who have worked on the aCORN project. Barnes, a possible physics major, began working on the project last summer as a pre-freshman. Barnes predecessors, Josh Newman '06 and Dave Shapiro '07, built a prototype robot that can travel inside the solenoid and measure the solenoid's magnetic field strength. Since being able to measure and map the magnetic field strength in various areas of the solenoid is critical for ensuring a uniform field is being produced, the robot is a vital component to the aCORN project. This summer, Barnes is making changes to the motor system that moves the robot. He is also adjusting the temperature stabilization system for the robot's probes, which are highly sensitive to temperature changes and must be kept within 0.1oC of a given temperature to remain accurate.
Thus far, Barnes has spent most of his time in the shop machining parts and drawing up schematics for the robot. To design the parts he needs to fabricate, Barnes uses Vector Works, a computer-aided design program. Once he has finished these blueprints, he brings them to machinists Walt Zarnoch and Stephen Pullman, who show him how to make the parts he needs. Professors Collett and Jones have also given him some design ideas.
-- by Nick Berry '09
Over the past few years, student researchers working with Associate Professors of Physics Brian Collett and Gordon Jones have been attempting to create a scaled down version of the magnetic field needed for the precise measurements of the experiment in order to prove that the project is feasible before spending a large sum of money on a full-scale magnetic field. This task has proved challenging because the magnetic field required by the aCORN project must be uniform (i.e. the same throughout), very strong, and spread out over a large volume. Currently, a solenoid is being used to generate the magnetic field. Solenoids, which are long coils of wire, produce a magnetic field when an electrical current is passed through them. They are useful because they are designed to produce a controlled, uniform magnetic field within some given volume where an experiment can be carried out.
Pat Barnes '10 (Odessa, N.Y.) is the latest member in a long line of Hamilton students who have worked on the aCORN project. Barnes, a possible physics major, began working on the project last summer as a pre-freshman. Barnes predecessors, Josh Newman '06 and Dave Shapiro '07, built a prototype robot that can travel inside the solenoid and measure the solenoid's magnetic field strength. Since being able to measure and map the magnetic field strength in various areas of the solenoid is critical for ensuring a uniform field is being produced, the robot is a vital component to the aCORN project. This summer, Barnes is making changes to the motor system that moves the robot. He is also adjusting the temperature stabilization system for the robot's probes, which are highly sensitive to temperature changes and must be kept within 0.1oC of a given temperature to remain accurate.
Thus far, Barnes has spent most of his time in the shop machining parts and drawing up schematics for the robot. To design the parts he needs to fabricate, Barnes uses Vector Works, a computer-aided design program. Once he has finished these blueprints, he brings them to machinists Walt Zarnoch and Stephen Pullman, who show him how to make the parts he needs. Professors Collett and Jones have also given him some design ideas.
-- by Nick Berry '09
