In Fall 2005 I am teaching Physics 210A General Physics I and Physics 210B General Physics II.

I am developing a new low level nuclear counting laboratory with Dr. Bryant Hichwa. For the first time we are offering experiments in P466 using our new high resolution, high efficiency, high purity germanium gamma detector from Canberra. We have powerful Genie 2000 software from Canberra, an excellent gamma ray database, and interesting samples to analyze. Our new electronics are sufficiently stable that 48-hour data collection runs are routine without outside pulser stabilization. Additional gamma experiments are aimed at detecting radioactive material in luggage and room air.

A new Passivated Implanted Planar Silicon alpha particle detector with vacuum system and very stable electronics is set up to measure the alpha activity deposited on air filter paper. The same Genie 2000 software is employed to advantage.

A gamma-gamma coincidence system employing NaI counters will be used to detect electron- positron annihilation.

Upon moving back to Darwin, beta counting experiments can again be offered using a new liquid scintillation counter to be acquired by Dr. Dan Crocker in Biology.

I am involved in our Applied Physics program for upper division students in the areas of X-ray Crystallography and Energy Dispersive X-ray elemental analysis using our new scanning electron microscope. I am currently analyzing meteorites, Zeolites, and sedimentary rocks from Australia.

Our Rigaku theta-theta X-ray powder diffractometer has been relocated to the Keck Laboratory. Quality software from Materials Data Inc. directly controls our diffractometer. Very powerful analysis software, Jade 6.5, assists you to identify complex unknowns using the current (2004) database from the International Centre for Diffraction Data.

I am interested in investigating objects of small size using X-rays, electrons, and neutrons. One source of X-rays is the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, where I spent a sabbatical. One source of neutrons is at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, where I spent another sabbatical. The Spallation Neutron Source is under construction at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

As the former Sonoma State University Radiation Safety Officer, I am pleased to talk with students about radiation safety.

John R. Dunning, Jr.
Dept. of Physics & Astronomy
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
USA
(707) 664-2439     Fax: (707) 664-3012
john.dunning@sonoma.edu

2005-08-07