Improvements on Previous Oscillatory System
Leveling and Stability
Our system supported our hypothesis that a magnetic-oscillatory system would be easier to level and more stable, but that did not translate directly into better experimental findings. Because we mounted the ring magnet on the Thor Labs translator, leveling the bath took approximately one minute which was a large improvement on previous systems. In addition, through moving the ring magnet in the z direction, the stability of the bath was taken to the point where wobble was basically unrecordable, again a large improvement on previous systems. Due to that fact, as well as the vertical component of the magnetic repulsion which reduced the preloaded mass on the speaker, we were able to obtain standing waves in the bath at 80Hz and higher (see right). Previous UNC research had only been able to find standing waves at 60Hz and lower, either because the system became too unstable at higher frequencies or because the oscillator simply could not drive the system accurately. We are very excited for future research as our magnetic-oscillatory system has opened the door for UNC to track walkers at higher frequencies. Where other experiments have proved the modeled quantum mechanical behavior to be more accurate (Bush. 2015). |