Syllabus - Astro 250 Space Physics Laboratory 1 (non-credit – P/F)
Grading: Class participation (30%), Demo homework (30%), Project proposal (40%)
NOTE – The order and scheduling of some topics may change, depending on the ongoing work in the laboratory at the time.
Our class meets on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. – to 9:45 a.m. at 171 Broadmead.
Please feel free to come by the lab and participate in ongoing activities any day of the week (typical lab hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). To learn what is happening on a given day, all are invited to attend the daily lab coordination meeting, which runs from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on weekdays outside of class. In addition, all are welcome to join us for our science + pizza lunches on Fridays at noon.
Grading: Class participation (30%), Demo homework (30%), Project proposal (40%) Homework will be assigned every other week on Fridays and are due the following Wednesday before class.
The following training is required to participate in lab activities:
• Princeton University Fundamentals of Laboratory Safety 1-5 and test (online)
Employee Learning Center(link is external)
• Laboratory Safety Training (Instructor-led)
Employee Learning Center(link is external)
Class 1 (Week 1):
Introduction to Space Physics Laboratory
• Welcome to Space Physics at Princeton
• Research overview
• Course introduction with Q&A
• Introductory tour of the lab
• Students will participate in Flight calibration of two instruments
• Carbon foils
Class 2 (Week 1):
Introduction to Ultra-high Vacuum Systems 1
• Basic physics of vacuum systems; general Physics
• Flow regimes, materials allowed (and not allowed) in a vacuum, outgassing
o Basic design principles, cleaning & bakeout process
• RGA demo
Class 3 (Week 2):
Space Physics Laboratory-specific Safety
• A detailed discussion of lab-specific safety topics, best safety practices/risk mitigation, and actions to take when issues arise
Class 4 (Week 2):
Introduction to Ultra-high Vacuum Systems 2
• Basic physics of vacuum systems, Overview of Vacuum system hardware (CF & KF flanges, cryopumps, turbopumps, GV’s angle valves, etc.)
• Leak-rate demo (Data analysis homework from the demo)
Homework #1 Assigned
Class 5 (Week 3):
Introduction to Ultra-high Vacuum Systems 3
• Calibration facility processes
• Pump-down
• Back-to-atmosphere
Homework #1 Due before class
Class 6 (Week 3):
Particles in Electromagnetic Fields
• Solar Wind, and Heliosphere
• Helmholtz Coil Demonstration
Class 7 (Week 4):
Working in the Semi - Clean Room
• Basic overview of NASA cleanliness standards/principles
• Controlled stage and Inspection station demo
Class 8 (Week 4):
Working in the Clean Room
• Walk-through of gowning and de-gowning
• Particle counter-demonstration (data analysis homework from the demo)
o Homework #2 Assigned
Class 9 (week 5):
Ultra-thin Carbon Foils
• Ultra-thin carbon foils and their use in plasma instruments
• Foil-floating demo in the classroom
Homework #2 Due before class
Class 10 (Week 5):
Ion Source Design and operation
- Basic Physics of how the Ion Source & Wien Filter operate
- Demo of Ion Source operation & mass selection
Class 11 (Week 6):
Plasma Beam Diagnostics
• Basic Physics of how the MCP & Faraday cup operates
• Demo of MCP
Class 12 (Week 6):
Communications, Monitoring
- Lab subsystems and systems overview
- LabView & database demos
Class 13 (Week 7):
Basic Laboratory Electronics 1
• Connectors, Signals, and Data Acquisition
• In-class challenge: gauge Communication
Class 14 (Week 7):
Basic Laboratory Electronics 2
• Waveforms, detectors, and signal processing
• CEM burn-in system demo with oscilloscope
Homework #3 Assigned
Class 15 (Week 8):
Absolute Beam Monitor
• Overview of Absolute Beam Monitors
• Absolute Beam Monitor Assembly in the Lab
Class 16 (Week 8):
How to Build and Test a Space Instrument
• Introduction to the Solar Wind and Pickup Ion (SWAPI) Instrument on NASA’s IMAP Mission
• Hands-on calibration on SWAPI’s calibration
Class 17 (Week 9):
Procedures, Testing & Calibration
• SWAPI Calibration results
• Hands-on participation in SWAPI Calibration
Homework derived from SWAPI data
Homework #4 Assigned
Class 18 (week 9):
Brainstorm Project Ideas
• Review information learned from the course and brainstorm what is most applicable to this project
Class 19 (week 10):
Project Development 1 (Students Lead)
• Identify scope/definition, identify tools and resources
Class 20 (week 10):
Project Development 1 (Students Lead)
• Requirements, milestones, and schedule
Class 21 (week 12):
Project Development 2 (Students Lead)
Class 22 (week 12):
Project Development 3 (Student Lead)
- Q&A with Researchers
Class 23 (week 13):
Project Development 4 (Student Lead)
• TBD