David Hooker 1969-1970 Reflections

Recollections of David Hooker (\u2772) regarding the events of the beginning of the Black Students Union. Includes text of speech made in front of Faculty on May 19, 1970 about changing the 1970-71 calendar year

Complete spatial characterization of an optical wavefront using a variable-separation pinhole pair

We present a technique for measuring the transverse spatial properties of an optical wavefront. Intensity and phase profiles are recovered by analysis of a series of interference patterns produced by the combination of a scanning X-shaped slit and a static horizontal slit; the spatial coherence may be found from the same data. We demonstrate the technique by characterizing high harmonic radiation generated in a gas cell, however the method could be extended to a wide variety of light sources.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Vengeance is Ours: Safe Spaces and Critical Empathy in Horror Films

Many genres of film seek to bring viewers to heightened emotional states, perhaps this is most true of horror films. Although often displaying extreme violence, such films paradoxically provide openings for critically empathetic viewings which allow viewers with diverse backgrounds and experiences to identify with victims and survivors and transcend elements of subjective identity. This project analyzes the capacity of horror films, including those of William Friedkin, David Cronenberg, Brian DePalma and others, to offer viewers space in which to be critically empathetic. Regarding gender issues in the genre as outlined by such scholars as Carol J. Clover, and the emerging scholarship on critical empathy, such as that of Todd DeStigter, this project offers new ways of thinking about horror both on screen and off

Linking Flow, Brand Attitudes and Purchase Intent in Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds initially gained visibility from businesses seeking to create a virtual brand presence within the online platforms. More recently however, many companies have abandoned virtual worlds, leading experts to speculate that a lack of knowledge about how to effectively market branded products may ultimately represent one the contributing factors in the seemingly mass corporate exodus. Virtual worlds offer opportunities for high levels of involvement in activities, which are consistent with flow theory. Flow has been defined inconsistently within the information systems (IS) literature. This research-in-progress examines how a reconceptualized model of flow influences brand attitudes and purchase intention of individuals participating in virtual worlds

Second Life: Community and Society as a Focus for Marketing Approaches

Virtual worlds such as Second Life have recently gained increased visibility from businesses seeking to market products “in-world” to virtual world participants. However, without understanding the sociological orientation of virtual participants, the effectiveness of marketing approaches in virtual worlds may be limited. This study utilizes a Delphi approach to determine the sociological orientation of a panel of Second Life participants, with the goal of constructing a theoretical model which can be used for testing the effectiveness of various marketing approaches in virtual worlds

Combined visible and near-infrared OPA for wavelength scaling experiments in strong-field physics

We report the operation of an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) capable of producing gigawatt peak-power laser pulses with tunable wavelength in either the visible or near-infrared spectrum. The OPA has two distinct operation modes (i) generation of >350 uJ, sub 100 fs pulses, tunable between 1250 - 1550 nm; (ii) generation of >190 uJ, sub 150 fs pulses tunable between 490 - 530 nm. We have recorded high-order harmonic spectra over a wide range of driving wavelengths. This flexible source of femtosecond pulses presents a useful tool for exploring the wavelength-dependence of strong-field phenomena, in both the multi-photon and tunnel ionization regimes.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, This paper was published in Proceedings of SPIE 10088, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials and Devices XVI, doi 10.1117/12.225077