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Physics Facilities

Nanoscience and Materials Research Laboratory

Chemical Vapor Deposition systemThe lab currently houses a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) system for the growth of carbon nanotubes. It is used for fabrication of nanotube-based sensor devices and smart coatings. Nanophased iron oxides using wet chemical methods are also been synthesized.

The research projects currently being pursued are synthesis of nanophased iron oxides, growth of single-wall carbon nanotubes from patterned nanocatalyst arrays, analysis of Mossbauer spectroscopic data from planet Mars and fabrication of nano-sensor devices and smart coatings.

 

Astrophysics Lab

Students in the astrophysics labThe Roanoke College astrophysics lab contains equipment that include three six-inch and two 12-inch reflecting telescopes, three Dell work stations and one data server, which has a dual purpose - image processing and data analysis. The computers store data and examine the activity of space objects. They offer a visual that is three-dimensional and allows for image filtering. The telescopes provide a view of objects in the Earth's galaxy such as star clusters, nebulae, planets and comets. The astrophysics lab serves to better acquaint students with the celestial bodies and is available, but not limited, to physics students, and astronomy club members.

high resolution atomic force microscope

The Physics Group has purchased a high resolution atomic force microscope (AFM). This instrument can produce high resolution images of structures that are 1000 times smaller than a human hair.  Physics students and faculty use the AFM for mapping micro and nanostructures, studying surface properties of thin films, and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.