Erica L. Snow
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics
SUNY College at Fredonia
Education:
- Colorado State University, Ph.D. 2006
- Colorado State University, MS, 2003
- Grove City College, BS, 2001
Research Interests:
- Experimental Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
- Laser and microwave spectroscopy with fast beams
- Rydberg atoms and molecules
- Polarizabilities
- Lifetimes and auto-ionization rates
More specifically my current research involves investigations of the high-angular momentum Rydberg states of the hydrogen molecule. Let me rephrase this for you in more familiar words. A high-angular momentum Rydberg state is simply an atom, molecule, or ion that has its outer most electron orbiting in a nearly circular path far away from the nucleus. These states behave a lot like hydrogen, which is very very well understood. The differences from hydrogen for these states, however, provide a lot of interesting science. Even though we really understand hydrogen, the hydrogen molecule has not been experimentally studied to high levels of precision. This is where my research comes into play. I will be measuring specific properties, which can be checked against our current theoretical understanding and provide opportunities for improvement.
Teaching Interests and Specialties:
- Classroom group work and tutorials
- Peer instruction
- Lab and Lecture Demonstration Based Instruction
- One on One additional instruction outside the classroom
- Mathematical Physics
- Theoretical Mechanics
- Modern Lab
Publications:
- E. L. Snow and S. R. Lundeen, "Determination of dipole and quadrupole polarizabilities of Mg+ by fine structure measurements in high-L n=17 Rydberg states of magnesium,",
Phys. Rev. A, 77, 052501 (2008).
- E. L. Snow and S. R. Lundeen, "Fine Structure Measurements in high-L n=17 and 20 Rydberg states of barium",
Phys. Rev. A, 76, 052505 (2007).
- E. L. Snow and S. R. Lundeen, "Higher-order contributions to fine structure in high-L Rydberg states of Si2+",
Phys. Rev. A, 75, 062512 (2006).
- L. E. Wright, E. L. Snow, S. R. Lundeen, and W. G. Sturrus, "Optical spectroscopy of high-L Rydberg states of argon",
Phys. Rev. A, 75, 022503 (2007).
- E. L. Snow, M. A. Gearba, R. A. Komara, S. R. Lundeen, and W. G. Sturrus, "Determination of dipole and quadrupole polarizabilities of Ba^+ by measurement of the fine structure of high-L n=9 and 10 Rydberg states of barium",
Phys. Rev. A, 71, 022510 (2005).
- E. L. Snow, R. A. Komara, M. A. Gearba, and S. R. Lundeen, "Indirect spin-orbit interaction in high-L Rydberg states with ^2S_1/2 cores",
Phys. Rev. A, 68, 022510 (2003).
Other Interests:
Contact me at:
phone:(716)-673-4625, fax (716)-673-3347, or e-mail at snowe@fredonia.edu
