Physics Department
Dr. Richard W. Peterson
Professor of Physics, President of AAPT 2005-2006
| Dr. Peterson received his Ph.D. in Physics at Michigan State University, followed by a postdoctoral position in optical plasma diagnostics in the Physics Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Since coming to Bethel University, he has worked with students in developing new methods of performing fast laser and holographic measurements. He often teaches Applied Optics at 3M Center in St. Paul and has served as principal investigator in a 3M and Imation project to perfect optical quality control techniques for magnetic media surfaces and was co-inventor of two 3M patents. Dr. Peterson was awarded the national 1998 American Physical Society's (APS) Prize for best research at an undergraduate school in the U.S. and was elected a Fellow of the APS in 2005. During 2005 – 2006 he serves as national President of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and is a Director on the Governing Board of the American Institute of Physics. He especially enjoys the development of new apparatus for showing physics in lecture demonstrations and laboratories and loves to share these demonstrations with young and old. |
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