Optical Components to Construct a Surface Plasmon Resonance Apparatus and a Self-Standing Microscope

Jonathan F. Reichert Foundation
ALPhA Immersion Equipment Grant Program

Award Amount: $2,505 | Award Date: 10/20/2015 | Effective Dates: 10/20/2015 – 10/19/2016

Project Personnel:
Principal Investigator Seyfollah Maleki (Physics and Astronomy)

Project Summary:
Union College has been awarded a Jonathan F. Reichert Foundation Equipment Grant. The project, “Optical Components to Construct a Surface Plasmon Resonance Apparatus and a Self-Standing Microscope,” will be under the direction of Dr. Seyfollah Maleki, R. Gordon Gould Professor of Physics and Astronomy. The Advanced Laboratory Physics Association (ALPhA) has created a highly successful faculty development program called the “ALPhA Immersions.” Dr. Maleki will use these funds to obtain optical components needed to construct a Surface Plasmon Resonance Apparatus and a self-standing microscope. This equipment will enable students to conduct new experiments on nano-plasmonics and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), as part of the required advanced physics lab (Physics 300, Methods of Modern Physics).

This new experimentation overlaps with Dr. Maleki’s recent research interests that deal with Raman Spectroscopy applications (NSF ID DMR-0949272) in the study of cultural heritage research. It also overlaps with Union’s study of physics of nano structures, providing an opportunity for physics, chemistry and engineering students to minor in nanotechnology.