<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<font size="6" face="Times New Roman, serif">
<div><font color="#000080"><b>Old Dominion University</b></font></div>
<div><font color="#000080"><b>Department of Physics</b></font></div>
<div><font color="#000080"> </font></div>
<div><font color="#E36C0A"><b>Fall Colloquium Series</b></font></div>
<div><font size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font color="#17365D" size="5"><b>Tuesday November 15, 2011</b></font></div>
<div><font color="#000080" size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font color="#E36C0A" size="5"><b>"Laser Frequency Combs for Precision Astrophysical Spectroscopy"</b></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><br>
<font color="#1F497D" size="5"><b>Dr. Ron Walsworth<br>
Harvard-CFA</b></font></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><br>
<font size="4">Precision astrophysical spectroscopy is a crucial tool for the discovery and study of planets around other stars (exoplanets) via the periodic Doppler shift of stellar lines induced by orbiting planets. However, the sensitivity of broadband
astrophysical spectrographs to low-mass planets is currently limited by the stability and precision of existing wavelength calibration sources. In particular, to find a one-Earth-mass planet in an Earth-like orbit around a Sun-like star, an order of magnitude
improvement in wavelength calibration is necessary. I will describe our ongoing efforts to use laser frequency combs to solve this problem.<br>
<br>
<br>
</font></font></div>
<div><font size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font size="4">Presentation: Physical Sciences Building II 1100 @ 3:00 pm</font></div>
<div><font size="4">Refreshments: 1st Floor Atrium @ 2:30 pm</font></div>
<div><font size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font size="4">More details at <a href="http://www.physics.odu.edu">
http://www.physics.odu.edu</a></font></div>
<div><font size="4">All are Welcome<font size="3">!</font></font></div>
<div><font size="3"> </font></div>
<div><font size="3"> </font></div>
</font>
</body>
</html>