SPIE Annual report June 2017: Stellenbosch University Chapter

1. Chapter elected Officers President Anneke Erasmus 16529138@sun.ac.za #3683245 Vice-President Ruan Viljoen 16107500@sun.ac.za #3532982 Secretary Charmaine Sibanda charmaineelainemusandu@gmail.com #3771894 Treasurer Nancy Payne nancy.elizabeth.payne@gmail.com #4059567 Committee member Frederick Waso 17791308@sun.ac.za #3771882 Media Jason Webster 17766060@sun.ac.za #4008538

2. Memberships

Student members (17) Andre De Bruyn 15731545@sun.ac.za Anneke Erasmus 16529138@sun.ac.za Brandon Hattingh 17783003@sun.ac.za Iulia Minda iminda@sun.ac.za Nancy Payne nancy.elizabeth.payne@gmail.com Cathrine Pfukwa 16230310@sun.ac.za Charmaine Sibanda charmaineelainemusandu@gmail.com Albert Bart Smit absmit@sun.ac.za Newayemedhin Tegegne ntegegne@sun.ac.za Ruan Viljoen 16107500@sun.ac.za Frederick Waso 17791308@sun.ac.za Shane Smith srsmith@sun.ac.za George Dwapanyin 19724020@sun.ac.za Naleli Matjelo 17373700@sun.ac.za Ratsimandresy Holinirina Dina Miora 20350333@sun.ac.za Jason Webster 17766060@sun.ac.za (Wits Optics chapter until Aug 17) Wendall Coenraad 13730045@sun.ac.za Wilfred Ndebeka ndebeka@sun.ac.za (expires Aug 2017)

Alumni members (3) Dr Alem Gebru gebru@sun.ac.za #3532976 Dr Dirk Spangenberg dspan@sun.ac.za #3486874 Wilfred Ndebeka will be joining as alumni when his student membership expires in Aug 2017.

Figure 1: The Stellenbosch Laser student chapter, March 2017.

3. Details of chapter activities 3.1. Annual road trip (September 2016) The SPIE student chapter of the Laser Research Institute at the Physics department, in cooperation with other students from the department, organised the annual physics outreach initiative. This outreach initiative, aimed at raising awareness among high-school pupils of the enriching opportunities of a career in optics/photonics and physics in general, has been a very successful event since its inception.

This year a group of SPIE/OSA student chapter members presented a range of interesting and exciting physics experiments/demonstrations at a record number of 10 high schools along the West Coast of South Africa. A summary of the week's itinerary is given by the following table.

The feedback received from the 449 pupils reached, as well as the teachers, always was very positive throughout the week. The pupils showed great interest in the presentations and demonstrations and many pupils indicated that, because of the interesting and stimulating material presented, they may consider science as a career, if they did not already do so.

The route travelled is shown in figure 2 and the 2016 road trip team in figure 3.

Figure 2: Map of the 2016 road trip route up the West Coast.

Demonstrations presented on the 2015 road trip The demonstrations involve students by asking questions or for volunteers to do the experiment with the postgraduate student. The pupils show a great interest and full fascination for the physics concepts that are demonstrated and do not get bored during the show with enough humour and spectacular ‘wow’-effects.

Fluorescence & Phosphorescence: Using a UV lamp and various dyes in solution we explained the difference between the two processes of fluorescence and phosphorescence. We show students how electrons in atoms may be excited (for instance, by shining light at them), and how this excitation energy may be released again in the form of emitted light.

Optical communications: Music from an mp3 player is converted to a light signal and transmitted to a receiver where it is decoded again, and played over a loudspeaker. This demo was used as a basis to explain how information can be encoded and transmitted through light. The workings of optical fibres were also illustrated, though it was clear this is not a practical application as birds, clouds or other obstructions can interrupt the data transfer.

Figure 3: The 2016 road trip team. Back: Anneke Erasmus (MSc student Laser Physics), Bart Smit (PhD Laser). Middle: Iulia Minda (PhD Laser), Ishmael Takyi (PhD Theoretical), Monica Farrell (hons Nuclear), Li Wang (MSc Theoretical), Essraa Ahmed (MSc Laser), Christa Philander (SUNCEP), Paul Williams (PhD Theoretical). Front: George Dwapanyin (PhD Laser) and Riyaadh Jamodien (hons Theoretical)

Tyndall experiment: A stream of water coming from a reservoir by opening a tap was used to highlight an application of total internal reflection. Everyone knows that light travels in a straight line, but when the light is aligned through the stream of water leaving the tap, total internal reflection ensures that the light ‘bends’ with the water. This illustrates the application of optical fibres, and explains how the technology of the optical communications experiment can be applied in modern technology by utilising fibre optics technology.

Plasma Ball: A plasma ball with fluorescent gas makes voltage breakdown in the gas clearly visible. When the demonstrator holds a fluorescent light bulb, and brings this close to the plasma ball, the bulb starts to fluoresce. This is because of the current that is running from the plasma ball, through the bulb, through the demonstrator through the ground. When a volunteer touches the plasma ball with one hand, the light

bulb in the other hand, and a second volunteer holds the other end of the bulb, it still fluoresces. Even though the theory of path of least resistance predict that a current should not flow through the second volunteer through the ground, the nature of an Alternating Current (AC) makes the light bulb to fluoresce.

Wheels and spinning discs: A simple experiment where a person stands on a disc that can rotate with minimal friction. The dependence of angular momentum on the radius from the rotational axis is explained with the person spinning with his/her arms stretched out vs. kept close. Also, the person may also be holding onto a spinning bicycle wheel. Whenever the spinning wheel is tilted, the person on the disc will start rotating as to counter-act the change in total angular momentum caused by the tilt of bicycle wheel. This was used to demonstrate the law of conservation of angular momentum.

Marshmallows in vacuum: Marshmallows are placed in a bell jar, which is then evacuated. The marshmallows expand due to air pockets trapped in them. This demonstration illustrates the inverse proportionality of volume and pressure in the ideal gas law.

Egg in a bottle: Demonstrating the effect of temperature according to the ideal gas law. A small fire is lit inside a flat bottom beaker. A hardboiled egg which is larger than the opening of a glass bottle is placed onto the opening. The egg forms a seal and the lower pressure caused in the bottle as the fire goes out and the temperature cools causes the egg to be sucked into the bottle in a dramatic fashion.

Corn starch and water Non-Newtonian fluid mechanics is demonstrated by mixing corn starch and water. The mixture is viscous when no external force is applied to it. However, once pressure is applied (by for example squeezing it into a ball), the mixture becomes more solid.

Funding for the road trip Funding for vehicles, petrol, accommodation, demonstration maintenance and meals was provided by SPIE, OSA and the outstanding amount was covered by the physics department (see section 5 for more detailed information).

The SPIE (and other sponsors) are recognized for their contributions by displaying the SPIE chapter banner, the SPIE logo on presentation slides, as well as logos printed on the road trip shirts worn at every school.

More photos

Students ask questions and show interest in the physics of the demonstrations.

Classrooms were sometimes so full, we had to perform angular momentum demo outside.

After the demo show, student can come up and try the experiments themselves. They have a chance to ask more questions and we have the opportunity to interact with them on a more personal level.

3.2 Final year recruitment evening (23 August 2016) To encourage the final year undergraduate students to continue in their studies into a postgraduate degree in laser physics, we held a pizza evening with them and our chapter members. During the evening, some of our chapter members gave presentations on what a day in the life of an MSc or PhD student is like. The final year students asked questions about where to find scholarship information, how to go about contacting supervisors, and what the courses are like in honours compared to third year, etc. Overall the final years were interested and enthusiastic. It was also a good opportunity for them to get to know some of the people they could potentially be sharing labs with in the next year. Funding from SPIE and OSA was used to buy pizza and drinks.

3.3 Chapter welcome evening (16 March 2017) At the start of 2017 we had a social pizza evening at the department with all the laser students. The aim of this gathering is for the new students to meet the other chapter members, socialise and to enhance collaborations within the department.

3.4 First year meet and greet (4 April 2017) We were also present at the departmental “meet and greet” evening with the undergraduate students, which was organised by the physics department. Some of our chapter members gave presentations on what studying a postgraduate degree in Laser Physics is like and answered questions from the audience to promote physics as a field of study further than a BSc.

3.5 Quiz night (2 May 2017) The quiz evenings are aimed at encouraging first year and other undergraduate physics students to follow physics subjects in the field of optics and photonics. Previous quiz evenings were a major success, so another quiz evening was held during May this year. Most members of the SPIE student chapter (as well as some other students) joined. The funding for these events was donated by the SPIE, as well as OSA grants. The funding goes towards the food, drinks and prizes.

Our hosts running the quiz. Attendees in their teams.

Students eating pizza while answer sheets are scored.

The first and second place teams.

3.6. Conference representation Anneke Erasmus attended SPIE Photonics West conference in January 2017. She represented our student chapter and attended the leadership workshop and student chapter meeting. At the student chapter meeting she gave a presentation on our chapter’s work in outreach activities in the form of our annual road trip. The attendance of the conference was made possible through the SPIE Chapter Officer Travel grant.

3.7 Labview training sessions It was found that there is a need for training in scientific skills, such as using Labview, amongst students. With the department of physics, Labview training sessions have been organized to teach students how to use Labview. These sessions will cover topics ranging from basics (for those who have never used Labview before) to more advanced sessions with examples.

Photo credit: The SPIE. The SPIE Photonics West Student Leadership workshop Anneke attended. January 2017.

4. Other planned activities for the future 4.1 Road trip (September 2017) The road trips that have been mentioned in this report are a successful tradition that we want to continue in the future. Arrangements for the new road trip are being made. In the past four years trips to the Garden Route (2x), West Coast (3x), Overberg and Namibia were made. The precise route that we want to visit during our 2017 version of the road trip is still to be determined. Possible costs for this road trip will be vehicle rental, petrol expenses, maintenance of demonstration equipment, and accommodation/food expenditures.

4.2 Final year recruitment evening night (second semester, July – December 2017) The pizza evening with the final year undergraduate students was a great opportunity for them to discuss postgraduate options with our chapter members. We are planning to host another similar evening later in the year for the postgraduate members to encourage undergraduates who are graduating in December to continue their studies in laser physics. Costs for this will include food and drinks again.

4.3 Industry event (July 2017 – December 2017) We are planning to have guest speakers from industry talk to the students. The aim of this is for students to be exposed to information about what it is like to work in industry after completing a degree in physics (optics). Students have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the speakers afterwards over light refreshments.

4.4 Local outreach school trips (July 2017 – May 2018) Apart from the road trip, we also plan to do more local school (day) trips as in the past for outreach activities. The aim is in principle identical to the aim of the road trip: to raise awareness of laser physics in South Africa and to encourage future science students to consider optics and photonics as a potential subject. A physics demonstration show will be performed for high school students (varying from grade 9 to 12), with specific emphasis on considering physics as your field of study or as a career. The vehicle rental and petrol costs for this outreach were covered by funds from SPIE and OSA. Various demonstrations, as described in section 3.1 were performed during a 1 hour show. 4.5 Conference representation (SPIE visiting lecturer grant 2017) We plan to send one of our chapter officers to SPIE Photonics West conference in January 2018 to represent our student chapter and attend the leadership workshop and student chapter meeting. This will make use of the current SPIE Chapter Officer Travel Grant available. 4.6 Visiting lecturer (2 – 7 July 2017) Stellenbosch University is hosting the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) Conference in July 2017. We have invited Dr Robert Lieberman to be an invited speaker at the photonics winter school that forms part of the conference. We were able to organize this with the aid of the visiting lecturer grant. To make the most of the time Dr Lieberman has here, the chapter will also engage with him in social activities. Both as part of the conference that most of our chapter will attend, as well as a separate lunch, where we plan to tell Dr Lieberman more about how we are involved in outreach activities and have the opportunity for the students to talk to him, ask questions about careers, etc.

4.7 National science week (1 – 8 August 2017) As part of South Africa’s National Science week, the students of the chapter will participate in events coordinated by the physics department. The chapter is also planning local outreaches

during the week to promote physics. We will perform our outreach demonstrations and increase awareness of photonics.

4.8 Chapter welcome evening (February – April 2018) At the start of every academic year, we hold a pizza night to welcome new chapter members. The aim is for students to socialise and to enhance collaborations within the department.

4.9 Quiz night (First term 2018) The quiz night in May 2017 was very successful. Therefore we are planning to have another quiz night. Again the SPIE and OSA funding will be used for food, drinks, and prizes. Such a gathering is ideal for the students to socialise and to enhance interaction between undergraduate and postgraduate students within the department.

4.10 Nationwide chapter collaboration (ongoing) The Stellenbosch University Chapter is communicating with the other chapter in South Africa in order drive nationwide chapter collaboration. The aim of this is to enable us to spread outreach further, to distribute outreach kits on a larger scale to schools across South Africa without the infrastructure of laboratories, and to increase awareness of optics and optics based education to a larger audience.

An example of what we are doing as a national chapter is looking at a specific demo, a foldscope microscope kit (www.foldscope.com), to purchase in bulk and distribute to schools. This kit builds a microscope from paper and is a great interactive way to teach optics to school students by building the microscope with them. We will also teach the teachers how to build and use it, enabling them to continue teaching once we leave.

This drive should enable easier communication between chapters. We are sharing outreach ideas, such as demonstrations. Other chapter students attending the SAIP conference will also have access to Dr Lieberman at the workshop and conference. We hope to also organize that if the other chapter in South Africa invites a visiting lecturer, that they can visit us in Stellenbosch too.

5. Financial information (June 2015-June 2016) 2016-08-30 Accommodation for outreach road trip ZAR 3400.00 2016-08-31 Accommodation for outreach road trip ZAR 3420.00 2016-08-31 Accommodation for outreach road trip ZAR 8360.00 2016-09-09 Accommodation for outreach road trip ZAR 4496.00 2016-12-31 Costs for food and equipment on outreach road trip ZAR 7029.20 2016-09-12 Transport for outreach road trip ZAR 10900.39 2015-11-09 T-shirts for outreach ZAR 3196.90 2016-02-19 Costs for internet network registration and SLSC e-mail address, charged by university ZAR 220.00 2016-08-25 Food and drinks cost for third year pizza night ZAR 1528.18 2017-03-16 Beverages for opening function ZAR 512.89 2017-03-28 Catering for opening function ZAR 943.00 2017-05-02 Vouchers for quiz evening (prizes) ZAR 900.00 2017-05-02 Catering for quiz evening ZAR 1694.00 2017-05-02 Beverages for quiz evening ZAR 825.75 Overview Total funds spent: ZAR 47 426.31 Received from SPIE on 2016-01-12: ZAR -10 429.97 Received from SPIE on 2016-12-14 (must be used until 2017-12) ZAR -9 666.85 Amount short* ZAR 27 329.49 *Other sources: The outstanding balance of events held was covered by the OSA as well as the Stellenbosch University Physics department, and the National Institute Theoretical Physics contributes to the road trip funding.