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Name of NGM Educator:

Negussie Tirfassa, Physics Professor, Manchester Community College

Name of Host Company:

University of Connecticut Photonics Research Laboratory

Grade Level:

College level

Student Work Types:

• Report and class presentation

Task Abstract: A possible student project that involves literature survey, researching scientific journals on (i) photodetector materials, (ii) how they work, and( iii) and how it is related to electron energy.

Task Objectives: To learn about photodetector materials and to understand the photodetection process and how it is related to the current and energy of electrons.

Esssential Understandings/Questions: What are examples of photodetector materials? How does it work? What is a semiconductor? How is the detected electron current related to the light incident on the detector?

Task Description: Students will do literature survey, internet search, or refer to scientific journal, on photodetector materials and the process of detection and prepare a report and class presentation.

Resources Required: Computer with internet access, scientific journals, and books.

Prior Learning Required: Electricity and Magnetism, Light and Optics.

Educator Comments: This course activity will be given to students as one of a few possible projects that they can do as part of their course work. It will be more advanced to directly involve the student in the details of research work that I did. I believe the above project gives them some exposure.