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Kyle Sikkema - From Final Hours With The Doc to Seeing Familiar Faces


It’s official. I am halfway done with my EXP trip, and I don’t think I could have fit many more activities
and work into the three weeks I’ve been here so far. Things are going wonderfully. Michigan has been
treating me well, and the weather has been immaculate.

Science-wise, not a ton has changed with the laser experiment. This week, Grace and I finalized our optics
setup by installing the Rubidium cell (basically an enclosed glass tube with Rubidium) in line with the laser’s path,
as well as place a photodetector at the end of the optics setup to get readings on the interactions with the laser
and the cell. I will get a picture next week when everything is aligned once again since this week was full of pain-staking
laser alignment. The caveat of using a Fabry-Perot involves SUPER precise alignment. There is a very small point
of entry that the laser beam can enter and exit through the cavity within the optic. Thankfully, Grace taught me the
most efficient and useful methods for aligning optics to be perfectly in line with the Fabry-Perot. The setup is about
95% complete, so after a few minor tweaks, I will be taking data and tracking the behavior of the light in the experiment.
I can’t wait to get back to work on Monday.

For the MDCS Analog project, I finished plotting data from my experimental run and interpreting it. Currently,
I am creating a powerpoint presentation together, which will be emailed to Chris for revision, and then Dr. Cundiff.
My involvement in this project is now delayed because of Chris’ departure, but there is another graduate student
named Albert, who was out this week on vacation, that will continue the project if there are loose ends that need to be tied up.
Otherwise, the MDCS Analog might be very close to being concluded, and I feel really great about my contribution
to the project, as limited as it may have been.

Here’s a little tribute picture to Chris, since he will no longer be working at the Cundiff Lab at UMich. He’s taught
me everything I need to know about the logistics behind 2D spectroscopy along with much more about everything
the Cundiff Lab is doing. Without his guidance, I would not have been able to comprehend any of the work I have
done so far. It’s been an amazing two weeks with him, and I will make sure to keep in touch with him as he continues
his career at San Jose State University. Stay safe out there on the west coast doc.




In other news, I met up with two amazing Peddie alumni: Alex Baum (‘15) and Conor Donohue (‘16). It was a
relief to be able to meet some fellow Falcons and enjoy a night outside of my apartment. Alex and Conor both hold
UMich in very high regard and are advocating for more Peddie kids to join the party. Since Alex and Conor
are a few years removed from Peddie, it is interesting to see their reactions to how Peddie has changed in the
short time they’ve been gone (although to be fair, Conor is still in the loop since he lives in Hightstown and is a
faculty kid). Alex was even kind enough to take me grocery shopping today, which was awesome and much needed.




That’s all I got. I’m anticipating a much lower attendance at the lab this week due to all the freedom that
will be in the air on July 4th, but I’m going to make the most of my time in solitude at the lab.

More to come, stay tuned. All good - KRS.
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