Wrapping up my fifth week at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at CU Boulder, with Hugh, I’ve encountered a blend of successes and unexpected hurdles. This week, our focus remained on the fiber project, although not without some hiccups. Our turbo pump, a crucial component for pumping down the vacuum chamber, unfortunately broke down. We have a replacement ordered but it will not be here until next week. So, we will resume work on this project then.
Despite the setback with the turbo pump, we made meaningful strides toward improving the repeatability and consistency of our fiber experiments. Specifically, we designed and built new stands to securely position the optical fibers inside the vacuum chamber. Precise placement of the fibers is vital; even minor variations in fiber positioning can significantly impact light transmission, affecting the reliability of our data. We are making measurements for the manufacturer based in the UK so it is very important they be accurate. By constructing these specialized stands, we’ve established a more standardized method to secure the fiber curvature, greatly enhancing the repeatability of our experiments.
This week also offered plenty of time in the machine shop, which was a genuine highlight. It was enjoyable to dive deeply into hands-on work, learning from experienced team members that I have gotten to know. We had a lot of fun collaborating and thinking up solutions as we machined custom parts, tailored to our project. The process of transforming raw materials like aluminum and delrin into perfectly engineered components is very satisfying. Being able to directly create exactly what our research requires right here at LASP has proven to be both exciting and rewarding.
Outside the lab, Hugh and I decided to take a break by going fishing at Coot Lake. We timed our trip perfectly, arriving just at sunset when the sky was filled with vibrant colors, mirrored beautifully on the lake’s calm surface. We both agreed that Coot Lake was a fantastic spot to unwind, and we’re already planning to return whenever we have more free time.
Looking ahead, I’m eager to see the impact our newly developed fiber stands will have on future experiments. I’m especially excited about the upcoming repair of the turbo pump, as this will allow us to resume our work on the fiber project, hopefully generating even more accurate and insightful data. With these improvements in place, the next phase of our research promises to be even more productive and accurate. Looking back on when Hugh and I first arrived I can really see how much information and understanding we have gained here.
Very interesting, CJ. As one with a background in precision machining and science, I appreciate your interest your interest in fabricating apparatus to perform experiments. Very happy for you to have this opportunity. You interns can all discuss experiences when you return to Telluride and hopefully this will help to cement your mindsets into a direction to pursue in college because we certainly need the next generation of tech developers, particularly in the physical, hands on, side of it rather than the legions of software coders. The actual equipment has to come from somewhere and your peer group could help with that.