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Department Library
Paul W. Bailey (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Jean-Francois Van Huele )

Abstract

I propose to incorporate two GaAs/InAs quantum dots in a larger circuit comprised of linear optical elements to create a spin-spin-photon polarization three-qubit Deutsch gate. Since the Deutsch gate is a universal quantum logic gate, any quantum computing task can be completed using a combination of Deutsch gates. I argue the significance of the spin-spin-photon Deutsch gate protocol, given that no Deutsch gate has been experimentally realized and the only other published Deutsch gate proposal does not use a flying qubit. The use of a flying photonic qubit facilitates quantum communication applications. In addition, I show that the versatility of my protocol can lead to two different constructions of the Toffoli gate either by fixing a parameter of the Deutsch gate or by taking a sub-circuit of the Deutsch gate. Within my Deutsch gate circuit is a smaller Toffoli gate circuit. I calculate the fidelity of the Toffoli gate circuit for different material parameters of the GaAs/InAs quantum dots. I display a schematic of the Deutsch gate circuit with removable mirrors that allow the circuit to switch into a Toffoli gate. Finally, I discuss how appropriate Toffoli gates can be adapted into Deutsch gates using a sub-circuit of the original Deutsch gate circuit.

Tyler Bennett (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Scott Bergeson )

Abstract

Ion collisions in a strongly coupled ultracold neutral plasma are useful for simulating collisions and properties found in high energy dense plasmas. Ultracold plasmas can be created from atoms that are cooled and trapped in a magneto-optical trap. After ionization, the resulting ions can be trapped using a linear quadrupole ion trap, making it possible to measure ion collisions for times scales greater than 10 μs. We report on designing and constructing a 5 MHz helical resonator for use in our dual species magneto optical ion trap. We obtained a quality factor of 153 with a coupling efficiency of 75%. We measured the density of trapped Ca atoms using florescence measurements.

Alexandra Christensen (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: John Colton )

Abstract

Brachytherapy is the use of ionizing radiation at short distances to treat disease, delivering the appropriate dose via an implant through which radionuclides can travel in or on the body. The geometry of implant placement is critical to achieving brachytherapy plans that do not overdose the target region. Implants are typically designed based on the radiation oncologist’s experience, and although some groups have created parameters for quantitative implant comparison, most lack simplicity and objectivity. This project describes an investigation of alternative indices that can be used for brachytherapy implant evaluation. The surface area to volume ratio of isodose surfaces and the number of non-contiguous isodose surfaces were calculated as functions of dose contour value. Several simple geometric target volumes were created to test the ability of these new metrics to differentiate between implant configurations. The surface area to volume ratio demonstrated the highest discernment power. A higher surface area to volume ratio correlates with the configuration expected to represent a more optimal implant. This is particularly useful when comparing implants with similar target coverage and can be used to evaluate implants with geometries for which experience is limited. This approach is sensitive to differences in implant geometry and has the simplicity of being a single number that can be used for comparison or as a parameter in optimization.

John Christensen (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Gus Hart )

Abstract

Materials discovery is bottle necked by limited computational resources. One common method of computing a materials properties, Density Functional Theory (DFT), requires that the electronic band structure of a materials to be integrated. The electronic band structure of metals is very difficult to perform because of the discontinuities introduced by the Fermi level. Currently the most commonly used integration technique is a simple Riemann sum. Using this method requires very dense sampling because the integral converges slowly. Significant effort has gone into finding integration techniques that converge more quickly. New integration techniques that rely on non-uniform sampling have been proposed, but are not able to take full advantage of conventional symmetry reduction techniques. To ensure optimal symmetry reduction, calculations should be performed in the symmetrically irreducible Brillouin zone (IBZ). We present an algorithm for finding the IBZ for an arbitrary lattice.

Ian Clark (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Denise Stephens )

Abstract

In this paper, we present observations of ZZ Psc secured with the 0.4-meter OPO and 0.9-meter WMO telescopes at BYU and augmented with data from the AAVSO to search for previously unknown periods for ZZ Psc and verify those that have already been determined. We found what could possibly be a previously undiscovered period at 901 seconds. We found that many pulsation modes change in amplitude over the timescales of about a year. To find stabilities in these periods, we used O-C techniques. We found that nearly all these periods remained constant in observations with Johnson B, V, and clear filters.

Nicolas Ducharme (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Benjamin Frandsen )

Abstract

Dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) are of interest to physicists and materials scientists due to their potential applications in spintronics and quantum computing. The research I will present is not directly aimed at spintronic or quantum computing applications. Rather, it is aimed at understanding the detailed atomic and magnetic structure of DMSs, which will enable a more fundamental understanding of their properties and facilitate future applications. Two DMSs, Li(Zn,Mn)As and (Ba,K)(Zn,Mn)2As2 were investigated experimentally, with the data analyzed via pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of x-ray and neutron scattering data. Li(Zn,Mn)As was found to lack local structural deviations and possesses only weak magnetic order, while (Ba,K)(Zn,Mn)2As2 was found to have significant local structural deviations and possess more robust magnetic order. These findings suggest that useful magnetic correlations may be connected to local structural deviations. Keywords: dilute magnetic semiconductor; local structure; magnetic correlations; short-range magnetic order; spintronics

John-Michael Eberhard (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Denise Stephens )

Abstract

Brown dwarf binary systems provide key insights into the formation and evolution of brown dwarfs. To discover more binary systems, brown dwarf atmospheric models were fitted to the observed spectra of several brown dwarf systems. Spectral data for the systems was retrieved from the SpeX Spectral Library, the InfraRed Telescope Facility Library and the InfraRed Spectral Archive. The collected models predicted the spectrum a singular brown dwarf would have based on its temperature, surface gravity, cloud density, and amount of convection in the atmosphere. Binary models were created from the singular models and all of the models were compared to the observed spectra. Using a chi-squared analysis, the goodness of fit was calculated for each model. The best binary and singular fits were compared, and statistical analysis was performed to determine at what level of confidence each system could be claimed as binary. Twenty-six systems were studied and seven were found to be binary at a 99% confidence level: 2MASS 05591914-1404488, SDSS J042348.57-041403.5, 2MASSW J0320284-044636, 2MASS 14313097+1436539, DENIS-P J225210.73-173013.4, 2MASS 20282035+0052265, and SDSS J141624.08+134826.7. The method proved to be effective and can be used to more efficiently discover brown dwarf systems.

James Erikson (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: David Allred, John Colton )

Abstract

Temperature is an important parameter in many processes being studied with microfluidic devices. As such, improved temperature sensing methods compatible with the size and sensitivity required for microfluidics need to be found. This work investigates the photoluminescence lifetime of Rhodamine B and CdTe quantum dots for potential use in microfluidic devices. Lifetime values were sampled over a range of known temperatures through time-correlated single photon counting. Spectral measurements were also taken at each temperature. In Rhodamine B, lifetime was obtained through numerical deconvolution, however, results obtained in this way were unreliable due to variability within the sample itself over time. Similar methods proved similarly unreliable for CdTe quantum dots, which also show variability over time, though to a lesser extent. Through the application of machine learning algorithms, temperatures in CdTe quantum dots can be accurately determined with uncertainties ranging from 7.7 K at cryogenic temperatures to 0.1 K near room temperature. This success shows that temperature dependent photoluminescence is a valid option for future applications in microfluidic devices.

Caleb Gaunt (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Joseph Moody )

Abstract

ROVOR is Brigham Young University’s remote observatory in Delta, UT that currently runs on TheSkyX software and other scripts. The current system, though, can be complicated and can only be accessed by one student or faculty member at a time. To solve these problems, a new observatory control system is being developed. The new system, Remote Observe, uses a web-based approach to provide easier access and greater extensibility to the system. Remote Observe has a user interface built using React and is hosted by Google Firebase with a database that tracks commands given to the system. Bret Little has programmed these parts to accept modules designed to interface with different pieces of equipment that utilize ASCOM Alpaca drivers, which present the equipment as an HTTP API. In order to complete a proof of concept, I have programmed a controller for a weather monitor and our custom Lifferth dome using Node.js. I researched the tools and libraries needed to accomplish the development of these controllers. After that, I engaged in a test-first development approach by writing code for automated unit tests that would verify the functionality of the controllers. I then developed the code for controllers until they functioned properly. To validate the system as it is, I found an ASCOM-made Alpaca equipment simulator and connected it the controllers, which I registered with the rest of the existing system. After finding a few bugs and writing a few more tests, I modified the code to where the system integrated with the simulator as expected. In the future, the system will be further developed by obtaining Alpaca-compatible equipment to connect the system to, developing the front-end, rewriting the script that controls the Lifferth dome in Node.js, and configuring the whole thing to run on Raspberry Pis onsite in Delta.

Parker Hamilton (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Gus Hart )

Abstract

Superalloys are a vital material in our technological infrastructure because of their high operating temperatures. Ni-based superalloys are used often in turbines for engines and energy production because they exhibit an FCC $\gamma$ phase with a $\gamma^{\,\prime}$ phase precipitate that reinforces the lattice structure and maintains a high mechanical strength at elevated operating temperatures. Co-based superalloys do not exhibit this same phase, but they are highly corrosion resistant and generally have a longer operating lifespan than Ni-based superalloys as a result. Experimental work has shown ternary Co-based superalloys with a metastable $\gamma$-$\gamma^{\,\prime}$ phase, but it separated into other phases during a heating process. Density functional theory (DFT) allows for the energy of an atomic configuration to be calculated from first principles, but DFT calculations are inherently performed at 0 K. We use a method called nested sampling, along with a machine learned interatomic potential, to derive a high temperature phase behaviour of a ternary Co-Al-W alloy. The nested sampling method overcomes the sampling problem of being stuck at local minima. The machine learned interatomic potential, a moment tensor potential, is trained on DFT calculations, leveraging the accuracy of first principle calculations. The nested sampling method uses this interatomic potential to sample the energy of configurations in the Co-Al-W system to approximate the thermodynamic partition function. Heat capacity can be derived from the partition function and can then be used to find phase transition temperatures. These transition temperatures, across many compositions, can then be used to build a full phase diagram.

Derek Hensley (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Gus Hart )

Abstract

Grain Boundaries (GBs), the interfaces between individual crystals in metals, influence many of the physical properties observed in metals such as corrosion, electrical conductivity, and strength. I look to map the metastable states, states that are stable but not at the lowest energy, of specific GB subsets where the macroscopic parameters are kept constant. By using machine learning, I am able to cluster these GB subsets to possibly find the unique metastable states. Applying this technique to 1797 Σ5-(012) symmetric twist GBs, I found the optimal number of clusters was based on the representation of the GB that was used. While these clusters cannot be proven to correspond to the metastable states, analyzing the clusters based on Principal Component Analysis and energy gives confidence that they do. With knowledge of these metastable states, material design and GB engineering, the deliberate manipulation of GBs to improve properties, can be improved.

Daniel Hodge (Senior Thesis, May 2020, Advisor: Michael Ware )

Abstract

According to the Lorentz force, when high-intensity light is incident on a free electron, the electric and magnetic field of the laser influences the electron’s trajectory and what radiation it produces. As laser intensity increases, electrons reach relativistic speeds as they oscillate in the laser field. Particularly, in our lab we used a high-intensity pulsed laser with the intensity 10^18 W/cm^2 to allow us to study Thomson scattering in this relativistic regime. When a free electron is moving at this speed, it radiates light at harmonics of the incident laser wavelength. Specifically and most importantly, with the added dimension of polarization, we measured the fundamental, second, and third harmonic emissions from electrons in a high-intensity laser focus. Consequently, we obtained graphs depicting each harmonic’s own unique angular distribution of light. Furthermore, I investigate how varying the laser intensity alters the angular distribution of light emitted by radiating electrons for the azimuthal and longitudinal polarizations. Also, I compare the ratio of light distribution between the azimuthal and longitudinal polarizations as intensity increases. Ultimately, we gathered this information to analyze the electron dynamics in the high-intensity laser focus and to understand the details of the vector-field distributions in this focus.

Alden Roy Pack (PhD Dissertation, April 2020, Advisor: Mark Transtrum )

Abstract

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Dallen Petersen (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Richard Sandberg )

Abstract

A simple, low-cost, high-precision, motorized mirror controller is presented that was developed for use in a lensless imaging experiment. The goal was to achieve angular precision of better than 20 arc seconds while costing less than comparable commercial options. This is done using a standard kinematic mirror mount, high-pitch screws and stepper motors held together by 3D printed parts. The mount can be controlled by a python script on a Raspberry Pi or any other microcontroller connected to the motors. The mount can be quickly assembled for less than \\$350 and achieves a large angular range (10 degrees). The accuracy is tested using a laser reflected off of a mirror controlled by the mount and projected onto the CCD of a webcam. The tested accuracy was 7.67 arc seconds with a standard deviation of 4.71 arc seconds.

Timothy Puente (Capstone, April 2020, Advisor: Brian Anderson )

Abstract

During production, Burr OAK Inc. ran into several problems with their die presses. The problem that they had is their current design of their cut-off. They identified the problems with the design and asked us to redesign the drive system of the cut-off mechanism. Alternative power sources were considered, the amount of force that is required to cut through aluminum and steel sheets was calculated, and the configurations of the actuators were compared. An alternative cut-off design was developed through product development, analyzed using computational analysis of the pressure and CFM, and then tested with aluminum and steel sheets, and then adjusted based on the results of the tests. The results of the tests and the readjustments resulted in the design of pneumatically powered cut-off that is able to cut through aluminum and steel sheets, which are the most common materials that Burr OAK Inc. uses.

Nathan Stone (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Jean-Francois Van Huele )

Abstract

Secure information transfer lies at the basis of today’s information age. The computation complexity of factoring a number into its prime components is the method used for information encryption. Shor’s algorithm, when implemented on a quantum computer, can factor a number with an operational complexity of approximatly O(n^3) where n is the number of qubits needed to represent the number to be factored N. Using the structure of Shor’s algorithm, I construct an algorithm that takes advantage of weak value amplification and postselection (WVAP) to construct a new "Super Prime Factorization Algorithm" which factors a number in linear computational complexity O(n) while still using the same number of qubits required in Shor’s algorithm. The results of this paper show that if a successful post selection with high probability can be obtained, then this Super Prime Factorization Algorithm, along with WVAP computation, will be instrumental for the future of quantum information and computation.

Tyler Richard Westover (Masters Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Robert Davis )

Abstract

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Benjamin Whetten (Senior Thesis, April 2020, Advisor: Richard Sandberg )

Abstract

A lensless imaging method known as Interference Pattern Structured Illumination Imaging (IPSII) is discussed. Because it does not require a lens, IPSII has a higher theoretical resolution limit than traditional optical microscopes. However, the quality of IPSII images is currently limited by mechanical noise in its mirror movements. This thesis characterizes the resulting distortions caused by uncertainty in IPSII mirror movements. To do so, a model is presented that simulates the propagation of mechanical noise in the experimental IPSII setup to the resulting image data. It is shown that this noise causes errors in both the phase and amplitude of the Fourier transform of the image. Finally, a method to partially correct the resulting image distortions using phase retrieval algorithms in presented.