Robert (Bob) Latham
Director, Optics and Modern Physics Laboratory
Contents
Courses Developed and Taught
Special Projects
Contact Information
Biographical Information
Personal Interests
Courses Developed and Taught at Jefferson HSST
Senior Research Projects in Optics and Modern Physics
- Supervision of independent student research projects in physics.
Advanced Optics
- A semester elective course in laser safety, optical design, visual perception, and coherent optics. Extensive laboratory work introduces students to instrumentation in the Optics and Modern Physics Laboratory.
Quantum Physics
- Having pre-requisites of mechanics and calculus, this elective course for mathematically oriented students provides a solid foundation in quantum mechanics at the college level. The course is taught by introducing and using complex analysis, differential equations, and Fourier synthesis. This foundation of quantum mechanics is then applied to the study of contemporary theoretical topics in physics including atomic systems, solid state physics, nuclear interactions, and elementary particle physics. Computational modeling is introduced using Mathematica and other software. Laboratory exercises introduce students to instrumentation in the Optics and Modern Physics Laboratory.
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Special Projects
Faculty sponsor and supervisor of Teknos, our student research journal. Producing this 80-90 page student research magazine annually has become one of the most challenging, and yet rewarding, projects I've undertaken.
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Contact Information
Email to: rlatham@lan.tjhsst.edu
Web page: http://www.tjhsst.edu/TechLabs/Optics
Office phone:
(703) 750-5020 (voice)
(703) 750-5010 (FAX)
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Biographical Information
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Laboratory Director, Optics and Modern Physics Lab, Jefferson HS for Sci/Tech, 1987-present.
Publication Supervisor of Teknos, Jefferson's student research journal, 1993-present.
Department Chair: Science and Technology Research Laboratories and Technology Department, 1989-1993.
Grand Winner of the Intel Excellence in Education Award at the 1998 International Science and Engineering Fair.
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Professional Interests
All topics in physics.
Special interests in holography, image processing, camera systems, and quantum physics.
Personal Interests
Travel, photography, all types of music, audiophile technology.
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Last Revised: 10/00