Wheaton physics prof earns National Science Foundation grant
September 17, 2003
Wheaton's Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy Xuesheng Chen has been awarded a $30,000 grant through the National Science Foundation's Small Business Technology Transfer program. The program offers support for collaborative and innovative research between industry and academia.
Working with Boston Applied Technologies, a pioneer in advanced photonic materials and devices, in Woburn, Mass., Chen is working on novel electro-optic ceramic materials for high-efficiency ceramic lasers. Her research focuses on optical and laser spectroscopy of the materials. Success in this project will lead to significant laser applications, which includes remote sensing, space communication, laser guiding, counter measuring, medical surgery and industrial laser machining.
''This grant offers me and my students great opportunities to collaborate with Boston Applied Technologies on a project that could put the United States in the leading edge of high-power laser technology,'' says Chen. ''This is the only company in the world with the technology to make these novel, electro-optic, lead-based ceramic materials. Combining their expertise in the material with mine in optical and laser spectroscopy of solids allows an effective collaboration to develop the material further into advanced ceramic materials for high-efficiency lasers.''
Chen teaches courses in both introductory and advanced physics and enjoys teaching physics to both majors and non-majors alike. She says, "It is a joy to see that some students who didn't think they could learn or enjoy physics become very excited about and develop a great appreciation for physics.''
Chen earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Science and Technology of China, and her master's and doctoral degrees at Boston College. She has been at Wheaton since 1991.
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