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REU Projects Summer 2003
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NUCLEAR PHYSICS
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TITLE: Simulations for experiments with the S800 spectrometer
(experimental/simulations)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Remco Zegers
ABSTRACT:
For planning and analysis of experiments with the S800 magnetic
spectrometer at NSCL a simulation code is being written to describe the
response in detail. Although the new code will be partially based on existing
code, many improvements and additions will have to be made (graphical output,
possibility to add secondary detectors, event generators). We invite a highly
motivated and creative student to work on the simulation code. The work would
include the description of response of the various detector components,
tracking particles through magnetic fields and implementation of kinematical
procedures and provide a good opportunity to learn about the many aspects of
doing experimental nuclear physics. Some experience and a strong interest in
programming is a prerequisite for this project.
TITLE: The Mystery of Superbursts (theoretical/experimental)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Hendrik Schatz
ABSTRACT:
Recently a new type of X-ray bursts has been discovered by space
based X-ray observatories - the so called superbursts. These bursts might be
powered by a new nuclear process - the photodisintegration of heavy nuclei,
initiated by a small carbon explosion, on the surface of a neutron star. How
much carbon is needed to really ignite such a process depends on the
composition of liquid ocean covering the neutron star surface. Current models
predict an ocean made of liquid palladium.
In
this project, computer simulations of the nuclear processes during
thermonuclear explosions on the surface of neutron stars will be used to determine
the ocean composition and its dependence on various nuclear physics parameters.
The goal is to identify uncertainties that can then be addressed by future
nuclear physics experiments. In addition, we will gain a better understanding
on the conditions needed to trigger a superburst. This project involves
programming in Fortran 77 on a Unix based system.
TITLE: MoNA – A Modular Neutron Detector Array
(experimental; available for 2 students)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Michael Thoennessen and Dr. Thomas Baumann
ABSTRACT:
The Modular Neutron Detector Array (MoNA) funded by the National
Science Foundation consists of 144 plastic scintillator detectors and is
intended to study very neutron rich isotopes at the NSCL. This project is a
collaboration between Michigan State University, Florida State University and 8
other colleges and universities. Each school is responsible for one layer (16
detectors) of this array. Almost all scintillators have been delivered to the
NSCL and they will be ready to be assembled and tested this summer. It is an
ideal project for an REU student to get involved, because she/he will learn the
fundamentals of scintillation detectors, electronics, data acquisition and data
analysis.
TITLE: Imaging Nuclear Collisions (experimental)
SUPERVISORS: Prof. Betty Tsang and Dr. Giuseppe Verde
ABSTRACT:
Interferometry has been used to determine the size of stars in
astronomy. In nuclear physics, a similar method of measuring two charge
particles (instead of photons) in coincidence, we can obtain an image of the
nuclear reaction from which the particles are emitted. This summer we would
like to work with an REU student to apply this new method to a wide range of
different nuclear reactions. By analyzing experimental data using these new
tools, it should be possible for an enterprising student to contribute
significantly to the understanding of nuclear imaging techniques and to the
understanding of nuclear reactions, in general. We also expect that there will
be some opportunities to participate in some experiments with our research
group and gain some experimental experience.
TITLE: Production of Rare Isotope (experimental)
SUPERVISORS: Prof. Betty Tsang
ABSTRACT:
The most efficient method of producing extremely neutron rich
isotopes is to be able to remove protons from a nucleus but keep the total
number of neutrons unchanged. Recently completed upgrade at the NSCL – Coupled
Cyclotron Facility (CCF) and commissioning of new A1900 fragment separator
allow measurements of the production cross-sections of these nuclei produced in
a proton-removal chain. Recent work also suggests that the cross-sections of
such proton removal chain are related to the neutron separation energies of
these nuclei. As few experimentally measured values of neutron separation energies
have been determined near the neutron drip-line (the drip line is the location
of the maximum of neutrons for a certain element, beyond which, the isotope
becomes unstable). This summer we would like to work with an REU student to
analyze the proton removal data we currently have obtained. We also expect that
there will be opportunities to participate in experiments with our research
group including measuring production cross-sections of nuclei produced in
projectile fragmentation experiments.
TITLE: Theory of Femtometer Source Measurements (theoretical)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Scott Pratt
ABSTRACT:
In the fireball created in ultrarelativistic collisions of nuclei,
a mesoscopic region is created with such high temperatures that color is
effectively deconfined and the QCD structure of the vacuum is melted.
Unfortunately, observables are confined to determining the asymptotic momenta
of the explosion's debris. Two-particle correlations can be exploited to
provide a space-time picture of the reaction. This project would involve
studying the distorting influence of third-body interactions with respect to
the imaging of the source. The first part of the project would consist of
composing a computer code modeling three-body classical interactions. Tune into
http://www.bnl.gov/RHIC/ for details
about the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider.
TITLE: Position-Sensitive Photon Detectors for Nuclear Structure
Studies (experimental; available for 2 students)
SUPERVISOR: Thomas Glasmacher
ABSTRACT:
We are installing an array of 24 position-sensitive NaI(Tl)
detector crystals for in-beam gamma-ray experiments with radioactive ion beams.
These experiments will be carried out in the fall in collaboration with
Japanese scientists from RIKEN. We
invite a student to participate in the detector preparation and in the
experiment in the fall.
Stable nuclei are well understood, but very little is known about exotic
nuclei – nuclei with extreme neutron-to-proton ratios. Our experiments measure
quantum mechanical observables, which elucidate the change in nuclear structure
when moving from stable nuclei towards very exotic nuclei. Familiarity with a
UNIX scripting language (such as Tcl/Tk) is desired. More information at
http://groups.nscl.msu.edu/gamma/.
TITLE: Measurement of charge-state distributions with the A1900
(experimental)
SUPERVISOR: Dr. Andreas Stolz and Prof. Brad Sherrill
ABSTRACT:
The A1900 fragment separator at the National Superconducting
Cyclotron Laboratory is a highly selective and efficient filtering device that
uses superconducting magnets to select single isotopes for study from among the
hundreds produced in nuclear reactions. These individual isotopes can be
identified unambiguously with detector systems installed in the A1900. The
isotopes produced can have none, one or more electrons attached to the nucleus.
The distribution into these so-called charge states should be measured and
compared with existing theoretical models. A better understanding of the charge
state distributions will contribute to a more effective production of rare
isotopes in the A1900. The project involves computer analysis of existing data.
There may also be an opportunity to participate in experiments to measure new
data.
TITLE: Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions (experimental)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Gary Westfall
ABSTRACT:
At the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), gold nuclei are
collided at energies high enough to produce a quark gluon plasma (QGP). The
STAR Detector is being used to search for the QGP at RHIC using a variety of
observables. One such observable
that may help in the search for the QGP is the balance function. The balance
function is sensitive to whether a deconfined system of quarks and gluons
exists for an extended time or not. This project consists of analysing existing
STAR data for proton+proton, deuteron+gold, and gold+gold collsions in terms of
the balance function. The resulting comparisons can give information about the
time of hadronization in Au+Au collisions at RHIC.
TITLE: LEBIT - Trapping of rare isotopes
(experimental; available for 2 students)
SUPERVISORS: Prof. Georg Bollen, Dr. Stefan Schwarz
ABSTRACT:
A physicist's dream - place a single particle freely in space and
study it. Such a dream will become reality for ions of rare isotopes with LEBIT
at the NSCL ( http://groups.nscl.msu.edu/lebit/ ). LEBIT - the Low Energy Beam
and Ion Trap facility - will allow us to capture single rare isotopes in
devices called ion traps. One kind of experiment foreseen is a precise determination
of the mass of trapped ions. This allows us to determine how strongly the
nucleons are bound together, a very important and basic information. Penning
traps, which employ a strong magnetic field for the ion storage, are ideal for
this kind of measurement.
LEBIT is in an
advanced stage of construction and the testing of components has started. We
are looking for a highly motivated and experimentally skilled student who wants
to get hands-on experience in the development, construction, and testing of a
complex experimental apparatus. Themes for individual projects range from the
design, building and test of dedicated electronics components, the development
work for the computer-based control system, to the investigation of the
properties of a test beam ion source and other LEBIT components.
TITLE: t/He3 as a probe for neutron
enrichment (theoretical)
SUPERVISORS: Prof. Betty Tsang and Prof.
Pawel Danielewicz
ABSTRACT:
Theoretically, it is predicted that, under
right conditions, nuclear matter undergoes the liquid-to-gas phase-transition
and that an excess of neutrons accumulates in the low-density (gaseous) phase.
To study the problem, one would like to measure the ratios of the free neutron
(n) yields to free proton (p) yields from heavy ion collisions. However, it is
rather difficult to detect neutrons experimentally, as neutrons do not interact
with matter as easily as charged particles. An alternative to measuring the n/p
ratios is to measure triton (consisting of 1 p and 2 n) to 3He (consisting of 2
p and 1 n) particle ratios. Data on these charged particles exist for the more
proton-rich 112Sn+112Sn collisions and the more neutron-rich 124Sn+124Sn
collisions. In this project, we would like to work with an REU student to study
the yield ratios of n/p and t/He3 from a model utilizing transport equations.
This model includes the formation of light mass=3 nuclei as well as emission of
free nucleons. During the summer, an experiment to measure particle ratios has
been scheduled. Thus, the student may have the opportunity to participate in
the experiments as well, if he/she so desires.
TITLE: Development of the HiRA array (experimental)
SUPERVISORS: Prof. Bill Lynch and Dr. Michael Famiano
ABSTRACT: (one REU student)
This summer, we will be working with a $0.5 MD silicon strip detector array called HiRA. This is a multipurpose research instrument, whose first measurements are designed to measure the masses of nuclei that may play an important role in the energy production in X-ray bursters. Calculations of the nucleo-synthesis of these nuclei on the surface of neutron stars predict that they may be formed in rapid proton capture processes provided their masses are of the right magnitude. The HiRA array, portions of which are now complete, will permit these masses to be measured with the radioactive ion beams of the Coupled Cyclotron Facility. An REU student working on this project will join the team finishing and developing procedures to use this device. The student will develop procedures to calibrate this device and will test these procedures on the HiRA array itself. In addition, the student will participate in an experiment that our experimental group will run this summer at the Coupled Cyclotron Facility.
TITLE: Measurements of neutron and proton flow (experimental)
SUPERVISORS: Prof. Bill Lynch and Dr. Dr. Michael Famiano
ABSTRACT: (up to two REU students)
This summer, we will perform measurements with the Coupled Cyclotron facility of neutron and proton energy spectra for central collisions of heavy nuclei. During these collisions, nuclear matter is compressed and then later expands and disintegrates. The velocities of the outgoing neutrons and protons will give us information about the differences between the forces neutrons and protons feel in the expanding nuclear system. From these force measurements, one can learn how the pressure in a dense system, like a neutron star, depends on the neutron concentration. Students, working on this project, will learn how to make neutron and charged particle detectors work, how experiments are set up and how the whole enterprise can produce data relevant to an interesting scientific problem.
TITLE: Radiation Resistant Magnet Development
SUPERVISOR: Al Zeller
ABSTRACT:
I'd like to request an REU student this
summer to work on radiation resistant magnet development. We will be
fabricating new coils for testing in a new Dewar, scheduled to arrive in May.
The project will involve getting coils prepared and testing them for stability
and current carrying limits. The student will also do quench calculations to
determine how to protect the coils in case of a quench.
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CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
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TITLE: Phase transitions in Computational Complexity (theoretical)
SUPERVISOR: Phil Duxbury
ABSTRACT:
This project will be assgned to Andy Jones.
TITLE: Seeing is Believing: Mapping-Out Surfaces with Scanning
Probe Microscopy (experimental)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. S. Tessmer
ABSTRACT:
Nearly twenty years ago, physicists at IBM invented the first
scanning probe microscope (SPM) -- ushering in a new era for the study of
surfaces. By monitoring the electrical or mechanical interactions between the
surface of a material and a sharp tip, SPM's can produce amazing pictures. For
example, it is possible to directly "see" the individual atoms that
make up the material. In addition, these microscopes can be used as local
probes of the electronic properties with incredible sensitivity. During the
summer, we will have a number of possible projects which could be the focus of
REU research.
TITLE: Giant Magnetoresistance in Magnetic Multilayers
(experimental)
SUPERVISORS: Profs. J. Bass and W. Pratt
ABSTRACT:
Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) in Magnetic Multilayers is of
interest both for the underlying physics and for technology--the read heads in
modern computer hard drives are now GMR multilayers. The MSU group pioneered
measurements of Giant Magnetoresistance in Metallic Magnetic Multilayers with
Current Flow Perpendicular to the Layer Planes, a geometry that usually gives
more direct access to the physics underlying GMR. A specific project will be
chosen after discussion with the REU student. The project will involve sample
preparation (using a state-of-the-art sputtering system), sample characterization,
and measurement of magnetoresistance. The project might also involve optical
and electron-beam lithography in collaboration with a Ph.D. student or Postdoc.
TITLE: Local Atomic Structure of Complex
Materials Using Advanced
X-ray Scattering Methods
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Simon Billinge
ABSTRACT:
This project is to apply newly developed
x-ray scattering methods for studying the local arrangement of atoms in
materials that have interesting properties. It will involve learning methods of computer-based data
analysis and structural modelling and applying them to solve a particular
problem where local atomic structure has an impact on interesting materials
propeties. The project is fairly
computer-intensive but will involve some sample preparation and collecting data
in-house and probably at a synchrotron at Argonne National Laboratory in
Chicago. Computer programming
expertise is not a requirement, but an aptitude for using a computer is a plus.
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HIGH-ENERGY PHYSICS
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TITLE: Implication of Neutrino Mass in Supersymmetry
Models
SUPERVISOR: C.-P. Yuan
ABSTRACT:
The solar and atmospheric neutrino oscillation data suggest that neutrinos have masses. On the other hand, the Standard Model of particle physics predicted that neutrinos are massless. Hence, it is necessary to extend the Standard Model in order to explain neutrino oscillation data. One of such possibilities is to build a supersymmtric model with non-vanishing neutrino masses. It could happen that some of the supersymmetric partners of the neutrinos are light enough that they can be detected experimentally at high energy colliders. Our goal is to build a computer software that can calculate various scattering processes predicted by this new theory model, and to study the consequence of neutrino mass at collider experiments. This project will involve a Ph.D. student to set up the necessary programming for such a new model, and a REU student to run the computer code to obtain the production rates and distributions of various scattering processes. The REU student will learn how to compose Feynman diagrams to describe a scattering process, and to use the code to calculate the production rate and various distributions of the final state particles. From the output of the calculation, the REU student will learn how to draw an interesting conclusion about the implication of the existence of massive neutrinos to high energy collider experiments.
TITLE: Parton Distribution Functions
SUPERVISOR: Profs. Wu-Ki Tung and Dan Stump
ABSTRACT:
The Parton Model describes the quark structure of the nucleons
(protons and neutrons). One project would be to study different models and
their agreement with data from high-energy scattering experiments. Another
model would be to study predictions of future experiments based on current
parton model parameters, and the uncertainties of the predictions. One definite
project is to study and compare examples from the new LHAP compendium of parton
distribution models.
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ASTROPHYSICS
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TITLE: Variable Stars in the Halo and Globular Clusters
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Horace Smith
ABSTRACT:
Pulsating variable stars are keys to the extragalactic distance
scale, tests of the properties of stars, and probes for understanding the
formation of the Galactic halo. This project involves the study of pulsating
variable stars in the Galactic halo (observed with the Robotic Optical
Transient Search Experiment) and in globular star clusters. The ROTSE data have
already been obtained, and the task there is to discover and characterize a
large number of variable stars north of declination -30 degrees. Running simultaneously with that
project, we will be obtaining new observations of type II Cepheids in globular clusters
at the MSU 60-cm telescope. The
REU student would be involved in obtaining the new CCD observations for that
part of the project.
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GENERAL PHYSICS
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TITLE: Global Heating (experimental)
SUPERVISOR: Simon Billinge
ABSTRACT:
This project will be assigned to Kyle Griffith.
TITLE: Acoustics REU Project
SUPERVISOR: Prof. William Hartmann
ABSTRACT:
The acoustics research group studies the ability of human
listeners to localize sounds. We are particularly interested in the way that a
room environment distorts the physical cues that enable localization and how
human listeners cope with those distortions.
An REU project
for the summer of 2003 will make physical measurements of the way that
interaural level differences and interaural timing differences in different
frequency bands are modified by various rooms. The measurements will lead to
headphone experiments in which synthesized interaural difference cues are
presented to listeners singly and
in combination to study their effect on sound localization ability and misdirection.
Finally, comparison will be made with the patterns of localization errors made
by listeners in the actual room environments.