National Science Foundation undergraduate faculty enhancement Workshop on Advanced Laboratory experiments using lasers

A National Science Foundation Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Workshop on Advanced Laboratory Experiments Using Lasers was developed at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Instructors were Dr. James E. Parks and Dr. Charles S. Feigerle of UTK, Dr. Robert DeSerio of the University of Florida, and Dr. Joseph Wiest of West Virginia Wesleyan College. The workshop emphasized the development and implementation of laser-based experiments primarily suitable for advanced undergraduate physics and chemistry laboratories. Participants gained practical, hands-on experience in approximately 16 unique laser-based experiments in atomic and molecular physics, physical chemistry, and biophysics. The workshop also featured three construction projects, holography, computer-aided instruction in laser safety, funding strategies, instruction and discussion. Relevance of the workshop activities were illustrated with field trips to nearby private, state and federal laboratories to demonstrate applications in basic science, analytical chemistry, medicine, communications, and manufacturing. Highlights of this workshop and newly developed experiments are presented and the evaluation and further plans for the workshop are discussed.