Summer 2005

New X-Ray Diffraction Lab Dedicated

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology physics and optical engineering students and faculty can examine the specific molecular composition of materials through a new state-of-the-art X-ray diffraction machine and laboratory dedicated to honor the many professional contributions of emeritus professor Paul Mason.

Mason, who served on the physics faculty for 36 years, wrote most, if not all, of the X-ray experiments that continue to be used by Rose-Hulman professors and students, according to Charles Joenathan, head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering.

“Paul’s many contributions to Rose-Hulman and the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering cannot be understated. His well-crafted experiments have stood the test of time, and will continue for many years to come thanks to this new X-ray diffraction machine,” Joenathan stated.

Purchased through a National Science Foundation grant to support Rose-Hulman’s Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), the Bruker D8 Focus X-ray diffraction machine (XRD) will provide students and faculty access to a modern research tool. XRD has many functions and will be used in a variety of classes, outreach activities and research.

Several courses will benefit from the new machine, including the nuclear physics course, in which the instrument will be used to study the emission and absorption of radiation; the analytical chemistry course, where the instrument will be used to study the relative abundance of different compounds in a single material; and the X-ray diffraction course.

Elaine Kirkpatrick, assistant professor of physics and optical engineering, points out that new laboratories for other classes (semiconductor, MEMS and materials) could be developed in the future to expand the impact of the X-ray diffraction machine. The new equipment will also be used to educate K-12 students about physics, science and materials.

Materials research will also be enhanced, with researchers measuring patterns of alloys, identifying the crystallographic structure of materials, and probing how structures change with variables such as temperature and stress.

Assisting Kirkpatrick in writing the NSF grant request were two other MEMS faculty members: Thomas Adams, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and Tina Hudson, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.

The Mason name has a long and rich tradition at Rose-Hulman. Paul was an associate professor until his retirement in 1996. His father, Charles, was a distinguished professor at the college from 1943-44 and 1946-66. Paul also earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Rose-Hulman in 1956 and was recognized with an honorary degree from the Tau Beta Pi national engineering honor society. He and his wife, Jane, live in Terre Haute.