In contrast to many other fields, current developments in physics are far removed
from introductory curriculum, making it difficult to leverage the exciting advances
physics to inspire potential physics majors. To help bridge this gap, we are
developing several PhET-based apps and related curricular materials to tie the
undergraduate physics curriculum to current experimental physics, particularly in the
area of solid state research. Initial student feedback showed that non-experts need a
gradual build-up in order to develop sufficient background an intuition, particularly in
quantum physics, to appreciate even relatively conceptually simple current research.
For this talk, I will explore two PhET-based simulators which are being developed.
The first is a more basic Bragg angle/x-ray diffraction (XRD) simulator which ties
directly in to the undergraduate curriculum and highlights several Nobel Prizes in
physics of the past 100 years. The second simulator builds the first to introduce
resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) spectroscopy, and some of the exciting
discoveries enabled by recent advances in that field. How to best use these and
other simulators for in-class and informal education, as well as applications to
distance learning will be discussed. Some prototype materials for this project are
available at the website https://tholden79.wixsite.com/mysite2.