TITLE: Modular Neutron Detector Array
(available for two students)
SUPERVISORS: Thomas Baumann and Prof. Michael Thoennessen
Abstract: The Modular Neutron Detector Array (MoNA) has been operating at the NSCL for the last three years. This summer we are planning to implement major improvements. This includes the complete disassembly and reassembly of the 144 detector array in a new larger experimental area. This offers the REU students the unique opportunity to work on the mechanical, electronics and data acquisition aspects of the array. After the reassembly the students will be able to test and commission the new setup with cosmic rays.
TITLE: LEBIT - The Low Energy Beam and Ion Trap
(available for two students)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Georg Bollen
Abstract:A physicist's dream - place a single particle freely in space and study it. Such a dream has become reality at LEBIT at the NSCL (http://groups.nscl.msu.edu/lebit/ ). LEBIT - the Low Energy Beam and Ion Trap facility - allows us to slow down rare isotopes produced at the NSCL at half the speed of light such that we can capture and bring them to rest in devices called ion traps. Using such devices we determine the mass of trapped ions with very high precision. This allows us to determine nuclear binding energies, an important and basic information about rare isotopes, needed for example for the understanding of their structure or in nuclear astrophysics. The construction of LEBIT is completed and a number of interesting rare isotopes, with half-lives as short as 100 ms, has already been investigated ....We are looking for a highly motivated and experimentally skilled student who wants to gain hands-on experience at a high-tech precision instrument. Themes for individual projects range from the design, building and test of dedicated electronics components, development work for the computer-based control system, ion optics simulations and their comparison with measurements using the LEBIT facility, to systematic investigations of the properties of LEBIT components.
TITLE: The Segmented Germanium Detector Array(SeGA)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Krystof Starosta
Abstract: The Segmented Germanium Detector Array(SeGA) is operated by NSCL, and it is currently one of the largest array of segmented detectors available for use with rare ion beams. A fully digital, state-of-the-art, data acquisition system(DDAS), capable to instrument the ~600 channels of the SeGA, is being built by the NSCL in collaboration with the X-ray Instrumentation Associates(XIA). The DDAS will have gamma-ray tracking capability and will allow determination of first interaction position of a gamma-ray in a SeGA detector with a precision better then 2 mm(longitudinally). The project will involve analysis of gamma-ray tracking algorithms for optimizing the sensitivity of SeGA detectors. A student working on this project will gain valuable experience in a number of subjects of great interest today in experimental physics and industry. Some programming skills in one of the following programming languages C++, C, Fortran, Python, Java are required.
TITLE: Tests of a Low-Energy Neutron Detector
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Remco Zegers
Absract: A new method to detect low-energy neutrons is being developed by the charge-exchange group at the NSCL. At present, we have test setup and a prototype detector is being constructed. The purpose of the REU program is to assist in the testing and the development of these detectors and associated electronics.
Besides hands-on work with the setup, the project also includes performing simulations of the detector response. People interested in this project should have some basic programming experience (doesn't matter what language) and a strong interest in learning about electronics and nuclear instrumentation.
TITLE: Techniques in Nuclear Experimentation
SUPERVISOR: Prof. William Lynch
Abstract:
During summer 2007, we will be preparing for experiments at the Coupled Cyclotron Facility of Michigan State University. These experiments will measure the occupancies of neutron orbitals in short-lived neutron-rich and neutron deficient nuclei. An REU student would work on the testing and computer control of the experimental apparatus and would participate in a test experiment that would run during the summer.
TITLE: Transmission of a Quantum Signal through an Open Periodic Lattice
SUPERVSOR: Prof. Vladimir Zelevinsky
Abstract: Open quantum systems are currently in the center of interest in many branches
of physics. Here at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory we study
loosely bound nuclei which decay under external excitation. Similar problems are
intensely studied in condensed matter on a micro- and nano-scale, in quantum optics,
in molecular electronics and in biological systems. Future quantum computers
should be also open in order to transmit and handle information avoiding
dangerous decoherence effects of environment.
....
We will study the transmission of a quantum signal through a lattice extending
the results available for one-dimensional systems. Interesting particular cases
are absolutely regular lattice and lattice with intrinsic disorder; lattices of different
shape and connectedness; coupling with the external world through corners,
sides or everywhere; strong or weak interaction with environment. The work will combine analytical calculations and possibly numerical simulations. Elementary knowledge of quantum mechanics and complex variables would be helpful.
TITLE: Ultrafast Nanocrystallography and Nanospectroscopy
(available for 2 students)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Chong-Yu Ruan
Abstract:
Nanoscience is the buzzword for studying things that are small but unique in their property because of their small size. These objects are too small for human eyes or typical optical microscope to see, and to investigate their function one faces challenges from huge dispersion of sample sizes and the complexity of their interaction with their environments and within. We have recently successfully imaged the dynamical transformation of very small gold and silver nanoparticles (size-selected from 1 to 20 nm in diameter) using femtosecond diffraction camera. Because of our shutter speed is ultrafast, the atomic motion within the nanoparticles is thus frozen in time. By capturing these acts at the critical steps of transformations, we highlight the effects that are unique to their size and composition. For example, these noble metals become very reactive when their size is close to 1nm, and they change into a semiconductor around 5nm. We are now expanding these efforts to include studying their electronic and compositional transformation that cannot be seen from optical spectroscopic method (meaning by observing the electronic transition in these materials using light). Many of these “dark” transformations are key to understand the hidden mechanism for energy conversion, a potential field nanotechnology can help to solve the energy crisis. We would like to invite interested students to help us to explore these areas, where light and atom, ultrafast and ultrasmall meets. The students will help conduct experiments and simulations related to nanostructures and energy transformations, design instruments that couple to ultrashort pulses, and detect the electronic, structural and compositional changes.
TITLE: Graphene: a new material playground for mesoscopic and nano physics
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Norman Birge
Abstract: The electronic properties of small metallic samples are full of surprises. In the 1980’s physicists learned that electrons in metals maintain quantum-mechanical phase coherence over large distances at low temperature. In the 1990’s, we learned how electron pair correlations induced in a superconductor propagate in a normal metal. In the past few years, we have learned how a spin-polarized current propagates in a nonmagnetic metal. In the past 3 years, there has been an explosion of interest in graphene, or single-layer graphite. All of the experiments listed above, as well as many others, are being pursued in graphene. Graphene is very inexpensive to make, and it has remarkable electronic properties. (See the article by Novoselov et al., Science 306, 666 (2004).) For example, the density of electrons or holes in graphene can be controlled by a gate, and the mobility of the charge carriers is very high. Researchers are studying how supercurrents propagate in graphene when it is attached to superconducting electrodes, and how spin-polarized current propagates with it is attached to ferromagnetic electrodes. We are looking forward to carrying out some of these interesting experiments ourselves with the help of an ambitious REU student.
TITLE: Giant Magnetoresistances in Magnetic Multilayers
(available for 2 students -- already assigned to students Fowler and Richard)
SUPERVISORS: Profs. William Pratt and Jack Bass
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: Electrons at the Nano Scale
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Stuart Tessmer
Abstract: We study the physics of electrons inside metals and semiconductors. To measure the properties of the charges on nanometer length scales, we use incredibly sensitive tools call scanning probe microscopes. In addition to observing the local electronic structure, we can actually create pictures of the individual atoms on the surface. Surprisingly, the microscopes are relatively small: then entire system fits easily on a desktop. The goals for an REU student for this project are (1) learn how to operate a room-temperature scanning probe microscope, (2) improve the vibration isolation (3) perform test measurements of the electronic structure of graphite.
TITLE: Protein Folding
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Lisa Lapidus
Abstract: Proteins are part of all processes of life, such as photosynthesis, respiration and reproduction. Within the cell, proteins are continuously constructed from amino acid building blocks strung together like beads on a necklace using a gene as a template for the sequence. But a protein does nothing until this necklace folds into the native structure necessary for performing its particular function. The process of folding a protein into its native structure is spontaneous and depends in detail on the physical interactions between different residues of the polypeptide chain and with the surrounding water.
....In my lab we study protein folding using optical methods. We have recently developed an ultra-rapid mixer to start observing the folding process after only 10 microseconds using fluorescence. An REU student would use this mixer to study the folding of a protein that has been engineered to fold extremely fast. Lab duties would include some simple biochemical preparation of the protein for study, clean-room fabrication of mixing chips, optical observation of the protein during folding and data analysis of the folding process. A background in biology is not required.
TITLE: Chirality, Handedness, and Pseudovectors
SUPERVISORS: Professors T. A. Kaplan and S. D. Mahanti
Abstract: The concept of chirality or handedness originated with the work of Louis Pasteur in 1848 when at the age of 25 he discovered that on separating two kinds of the same salt, in solution, one kind rotated linearly polarized light in one direction, and the other caused rotation in the opposite direction. He postulated that this was due to the fact that the molecules making up the salt were of two different types, mirror images of each other; one was “right-handed , the other “left-handed”. Lord Kelvin applied the term chirality (from the Greek kheir, for hand) to describe the property that distinguished the two kinds of molecules. This concept has broad application in physics and biology—most molecules of biological interest are chiral!
....The mathematics describing this concept is well-understood in the usual circumstance where at issue is merely the locations of the atoms making up a molecule or solid.(entirely describable by position vectors). However, when there are magnetic properties of the materials, such as a magnetization, or ordering of atomic spins, which are pseudovectors, problems arise. For example, the usual definitions demand that the cross-product of two ordinary vectors not be handed! The problems are intensified when there is spin-spiral ordering in a solid, a situation of great current interest, particularly in the many recently-discovered cases where the spiral causes ferroelectricity. The research would involve straightening out the present inconsistency of the chirality-handedness concepts with long-held ideas in physics.
TITLE: Finding Efficient Nanostructures for Plastic Solar Cells
(available for 1 or 2 students)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Phil Duxbury
Abstract: Morphological control is essential to continuing the remarkable advances in organic solar cell efficiency which have been reported, sparking hope that low cost high efficiency plastic solar cells are feasible. Given the enormous variety of nanostructures and materials combinations that are possible, it is important to develop modeling efforts to assist the experimental search. A strength of our effect is collaboration with an experimental group at MSU who have the ability to control the morphology of nanoparticle/ polymer mixtures. We are designing morphologies which may improve organic solar cell efficiencies, for example by improving hole and electron conduction pathways, photon absorption efficiency and exciton unbinding rates. We particularly focus upon stable or stabilized nanostructures which may assist in improving device durability. This REU project will focus upon: (i) Understanding the factors controlling the self assembly of stable nanoparticle/polymer heterojunctions and (ii) Calculating the efficiency of a range of nanostructures, to identify optimal nanostructures which are also durable. The student will work closely with PhD students in my group and with PhD students and postdocs in Professor Mackay’s group who are making plastic solar cells.
TITLE: Quantum measurements and tunneling
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Mark Dykman
Abstract: Recent progress in quantum computing is related to new types of quantum measurements. They are performed using nano-size systems, Josephson junctions, which are periodically modulated in time. From the perspective of such measurements, a Josephson junction is a pendulum, except that this pendulum is quantum. When resonantly modulated, the pendulum has coexisting states of forced vibrations. Often a quantum system can tunnel between its states. The tunneling becomes very unusual when the states are not stationary but the states of forced vibrations. The project is to study tunneling transitions between the vibrational states and the possibility of using this type of tunneling in quantum measurements
TITLE: Parton Distribution Functions and LHC Predictions
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Daniel Stump
Abstract: Baryons and mesons are bound states of fundamental fields - the quarks and gluons. The internal structure of the nucleon has been studied for over 30 years using deep-inelastic lepton scattering and other short-distance scattering processes. The theoretical description of the quark and gluon content of the nucleon is called the parton model. The parton (i.e., quark and gluon) distribution functions are constructed by fitting the theoretical model to data from a large collections of experiments. The best model available today is the set of CTEQ6 parton distribution functions (PDFs), which was developed at Michigan State University.
....
An REU student could be involved in research on the CTEQ parton distribution functions. The project would have two parts. First, using the latest PDFs to calculate predictions for LHC experimetns. Second, making a web site showing the results of the new model; this part of the project is important for disseminating the results to the community of high-energy physics. Prior knowledge of Mathematica or web page design is not necessary, but an interest in scientific graphics is necessary.
TITLE: Chirality, Handedness, and Pseudovectors
SUPERVISORS: Professors T. A. Kaplan and S. D. Mahanti
Abstract: The concept of chirality or handedness originated with the work of Louis Pasteur in 1848 when at the age of 25 he discovered that on separating two kinds of the same salt, in solution, one kind rotated linearly polarized light in one direction, and the other caused rotation in the opposite direction. He postulated that this was due to the fact that the molecules making up the salt were of two different types, mirror images of each other; one was “right-handed , the other “left-handed”. Lord Kelvin applied the term chirality (from the Greek kheir, for hand) to describe the property that distinguished the two kinds of molecules. This concept has broad application in physics and biology—most molecules of biological interest are chiral!
....The mathematics describing this concept is well-understood in the usual circumstance where at issue is merely the locations of the atoms making up a molecule or solid.(entirely describable by position vectors). However, when there are magnetic properties of the materials, such as a magnetization, or ordering of atomic spins, which are pseudovectors, problems arise. For example, the usual definitions demand that the cross-product of two ordinary vectors not be handed! The problems are intensified when there is spin-spiral ordering in a solid, a situation of great current interest, particularly in the many recently-discovered cases where the spiral causes ferroelectricity. The research would involve straightening out the present inconsistency of the chirality-handedness concepts with long-held ideas in physics.
TITLE: Sound Localization by Human Listeners
SUPERVISOR: Prof. William Hartmann
Abstract: The psychoacoustics group in the MSU Physics-Astronomy Department studies the human ability to localize sources of sound, with emphasis on the way that listeners cope with complicated sound fields in rooms. There is an opportunity for an REU student to do original research on the human ability to use interaural level differences to localize tones in free field. Because of unusual effects in wave diffraction, the interaural level difference is not a monotonic function of azimuth. The hypothesis for the research is that human listeners know the acoustics of their own heads so well that they are not misled by such a function. The hypothesis may well be wrong.
....
The REU position includes participation in several ongoing aspects of the psychoacoustics program: (1) virtual reality techniques applied to median-plane localization, (2) interaural time discrimination as a function of coherence, (3) binaural room acoustics and cross-correlation.
TITLE: RR Lyrae Stars in the SDSS filter system: Calibrating the SDSS Survey
SUPERVISOR: Prof.
Horace Smith
Abstract: In the course of a search for distant supernovae, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey is repeatedly surveying a stripe of the sky along the celestial equator. Besides supernovae, this stripe contains other variable stars, including RR Lyrae stars. RR Lyrae stars are pulsating giant stars, with pulsation periods of about half a day. More than 300 RR Lyrae stars have been identified in the SDSS supernova stripe. These stars can be used to study the structure of the outer halo of the Milky Way galaxy .
To help understand the SDSS RR Lyrae photometry, the REU student will obtain observations of more nearby RR Lyrae stars using the 60-cm reflecting telescope of the campus observatory. We would like to determine how well one can measure the heavy element abundance of an RR Lyrae star from its light curve in the filter system used by the SDSS survey. A light curve is the pattern of brightness changes observed as the RR Lyrae goes through a pulsation cycle. Photometric data will be obtained with a CCD camera mounted on the telescope.