Summer Science Spotlight - Tes DaJaeger ’22
Meet Tes DeJaeger ’22, Summer Science Research Program participant working on Energy Measurement of Electron Beams from a Pyroelectric Crystal Accelerator.
Name:
Tes DeJaeger
Class Year:
2022
Primary Academic Focus/Intended Major:
Physics
Hometown:
Norwalk, Connecticut
Campus Involvement:
I am a member of the Goucher College Varsity Volleyball Team and Varsity Tennis Team.
I am also a volunteer math tutor through the Goucher Prison Education Partnership.
Title of Research:
Energy Measurement of Electron Beams from a Pyroelectric Crystal Accelerator
Faculty Research Advisor:
Rodney Yoder, Ph.D.
Description of Research:
Pyroelectricity is a property by which certain materials become electrically polarized,
causing opposite charges to develop on their two ends when they experience a change
in temperature. The large surface charges cause strong electric fields to be produced,
which can accelerate charged particles in a very small region of space. If a fine
metal tip is placed inside the field, it can emit an electron beam, which will be
accelerated. If we can configure technology that can accelerate electrons to gain
a great amount of energy, this miniature particle accelerator could potentially pave
the way to reduce the cost, size, and energy consumption of this technology. Our current
experiment involves a cubic lithium niobate crystal that has a small hollow channel
running through its center, through which electrons can be accelerated. A Peltier
plate on one side of the crystal is used to change the temperature, and a nano tip
needle within the channel serves an an electron emitter. Accelerated electrons are
collected using a Faraday cup. We hope that a magnetic field produced by adjacent
solenoids will provide a more accurate measurement of the kinetic energy of the electrons,
which will determine the viability of a smaller-scale electron emitter.
What are your aspirations after Goucher? How will this research help you achieve your
career goals?
I am currently enrolled in the 3+2 Engineering Program that Goucher College offers
with Columbia University. I will complete three years at Goucher College, fulfilling
my bachelors of arts degree with a physics major, then I will complete two years at
Columbia University, fulfilling my civil engineering degree. I am grateful for this
opportunity to work in Dr. Yoder’s lab and I am confident that this work will help
me reach my collegiate and future career goals.