Dr. Hector Córdova Mireles
Assistant Professor, Physics Department, California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona
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(Philosophical Discussion - Berlin - Summer 2007)
Contact Information
Cal Poly Pomona
Building 8, Room 229
Phone: 909-869-6730
FAX: 909-869-5090
email: hcmireles@csupomona.edu
Mailing Address
Physics Department
3801 West Temple Blvd
Pomona, California 91768
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Winter 2007 Office Hours:
Monday:
15:00 - 16:30
Wednesday: 15:00 - 16:30
Thursday 10:00 - 11:30
Thursday 11:00 - 12:00 (In Tutoring center Room 8-157)
Biography:
- Doctorate,
University of Texas at Austin, Austin,
Texas
(PhD 2001-Physics)
- Max-Planck-Institut
Doctoral Fellow, Gottingen,
Germany
(1994-1995).
- Graduate of University
of California at Irvine, Irvine,
California
(B.S. 1989-Physics).
- Graduate of Don
Bosco Technical Institute, Rosemead,
California (High School 1983, A.S.
1985-Drafting/Design)
- Raised in Downey,
California 1970-1985
- Born May 13,
1966: Potsdam, New York
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Research Interests
Magnetic Microscopy: Using a polarized
optical microscope, we can image tiny magnetic regions in magnetic
materials known as domains. The size, shape
and energy of these domains can define the magnetic properties of a
ferromagnetic materials. The thinner the sample, the more
important these domains become in dictating the magnetic behavior.
The
microscopy method is possible due to the Kerr effect, a
so-called Magneto-Optic property whereby the polarization of
incident light
is rotated by an amount dependent on the direction of magnetization.
We are currently in the construction phase of a Magnetic
Microscopy Laboratory at Cal Poly Pomona, with two Leitz polarizing
microscopes equipped with an 11-bit digital imaging/processing
capability, mounted on a vibration isolation table for resolutions of
the order of a quarter micron. The laboratory will permit Cal
Poly students, together with collaborating
laboraries to study the properties of magnetic thin films as well as
magneto-optical behavior in general.
Step-Induced Magnetic Anisotropy: The presence of steps of various
widths on the surface of a W[100] crystal has been found to induce a
magnetic anisotropy energy term which competes with terms associated
with the bulk and surface terms. These are apparent in the shape of
magnetic hysteresis loops from SMOKE (Surface Magneto Optic
Kerr Effect) studies.
Step Widths on a curved-polished crystal have been mapped out utilizing
the splitting of Low Energy Diffraction peeks with a high resolution
MCD
detector. This research began as part of my doctoral work
at the Erskine Surface
Physics Group at the University of
Texas at Austin.
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Courses
Sci 210 : Physics Concepts and Activities - Winter 2007
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Other Interests:
Contrary to the belief and hope of many of my students, physics does
not exist in a vacuum. The natural laws that dictate the
physical world have a great impact on the society that we live in and
the activities that we do in that society. Therefore, learning
your physics lessons can help you understand the world better.
Some of it can even make you a better soccer player, musician and
dancer. (Try it!)
A truly renaissance-physicist should occasionally take a respite
from his/her
lab or chalkboard, to explore the chaotic world outside of the
university. Going to check out the action at the
Brea mall TGIF? A good start..but you can do better.
Here are
some of the activities that have helped me to understand our world a
little more. Tell me your own ways... then get back to work on
those problems.
Travels
London to Lorelei - Summer 2001:
Bicycling through England, Holland and Germany.
Sierra Madre - Spring 2003:
The rugged Sierra Madre of Northern, Mexico.
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Music
Music at the Cathedral:
(2002 - 2006): The choir at
the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown LA, is my musical
joy today.
San Antonio Master Singers (2000 - 2002): A fairly good
choir consisting of very large people in a large city that thinks like
a small town.
Austin Civic Chorus:
(1996-1999):
Where I got serious about singing, as a tenor section leader in the
live music capital of the world..Austin, Texas
St.
Jakobi Kontorei: (1994-1996)
In this choir in Goettingen, Germany I discovered Verdi, Brahms, Haydn
and made lifelong "Kammaraden".
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Aviation
This is really great! Learning the wonders of the amazing flying
machine at Cable Airport flying a Cessna 172!
Interested in flying? Take a look at the wonderful pages of the
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)!
It's easy...after all...it's just physics!
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Social Justice
Coming soon to the US! Check back in 2008!
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