Nikona is a student in the SUNRiSE program at CHESS.
Nikona's research focus is developing a software capable of operating a laser profiler and outputting accessible data of a scanned part or object.
What is your home institution and your expected graduation year?
Fort Lewis College, 2024
Which CLASSE summer program are you a part of and who is your mentor?
SUNRiSE, Sven Gustafson, Kelly Nygren and Peter Ko
What is the research you are engaged in and what have you accomplished so far this summer? What are you hoping to accomplish by the end of your project?
I am developing a software capable of operating a laser profiler and outputting accessible data of a scanned part or object. So far, I have designed and assembled the mounting equipment for the profiling laser and staging. I have also written python scripts and a SPEC macro capable of moving and scanning a part with the profiling laser. I still hope to complete the python script that formats the data collected by the profiling laser.
What are the impacts of your research for the general public?
CHESS currently uses a point laser to measure and locate individual points on beamline samples in the same reference frame that the x-ray measurements are taken in. A line/profile laser can build on this by measuring and locating entire profiles and surfaces within the reference frame that x-ray measurements are taken. Additionally, a profiling laser can be used to measure the dimensions of parts or materials with complex morphologies that cannot realistically be dimensioned by hand.
What are you enjoying most about this research/summer experience?
I am enjoying the support network that the programs provide. Whether that be all the events like coffee hour and communication seminar or the direct support from the CHESS faculty.
What are you finding the most challenging about this research?
The learning curve for using unfamiliar software and hardware.
How has this experience changed your view about being a researcher?
I have found the research here to be a lot more open-ended than I anticipated. I have been given freedom to explore avenues that suite my scientific interests.