TITLE: Cold Case - Investigating the Discovery of Isotopes
(available for two students)
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Michael Thoennessen
Abstract:
here are many combinations of neutrons and protons that can make up a nucleus (isotope) of a given mass.
Only 300 isotopes are stable and a few thousand more radioactive isotopes are known.
However, there are still thousands of nuclei that have not been discovered.
The limit of existence is only known for the lightest elements.
Major new accelerator facilities are being built and designed around the world
that will be able to produce many new very exotic nuclei.
.... Unfortunately no comprehensive compilation of the discovery of isotopes exists.
We recently started researching the original papers describing the first observation of all isotopes.
The goal of the REU project is to investigate and verify the various claims of discovery
of all isotopes for a given element.
TITLE: Get Trapped: Ion traps for precise mass measuremtns and charge breeding of rare isotopes
(available for two students)
SUPERVISORs: Prof. Georg Bollen and Dr. Stefan Schwarz
Abstract:
The NSCL has presently two important ion trap projects.
The Low-Energy Beam and Ion Trap facility aims at high precision
ass measurements of unstable rare isotopes available at the NSCL.
Such measurements are important since they provide information on the binding energy of a nucleus,
which is one of its most fundamental properties.
At LEBIT such measurements are very successfully carried out with a Penning trap mass spectrometer.
This is an instrument in which single ions can be trapped in space and that allows mass measurements
of atoms with a relative precision of better than about 1 part in 100 million.
Other important components of LEBIT are a high-voltage ion beam transport system
with a test-beam ion source and a radiofrequency ion trap for beam cooling and bunching.
.... The second ion trap project at the NSCL is the ongoing development of an instrument called Electron Beam Ion Trap which accepts singly-charged ions and transforms them into highly charged ions.
This is important for allowing slow rare isotope ions to be accelerated
most efficiently to energies that allows them to be studied in reaction experiments.
.... Examples of possible REU projects within these projects are the further development
of data evaluation for LEBIT, development and test of electronic components,
Monte-Carlo computer simulations of the motion of ions in electrostatic beam
transport systems and in various types of ion traps.
TITLE: Aspects of Nuclear Charge-Exchange reactions
SUPERVISORs: Arthur Cole (Kalamazoo College) and NSCL Collaborator: Remco Zegers
Abstract:
Charge-exchange reactions in which protons and neutrons are exchanged between nuclei have long been used to study nuclear structure and a variety of applications, for example the role of electron captures in supernovae. With improved understanding of the reaction mechanism and ever increasing quality of the data, very detailed studies of these charge exchange reactions become possible.
In this project, a number of previously measured reactions are studied and calculations performed to understand several unsolved problems relating to charge-exchange reactions.
The student working on this project would be a member of the charge-exchange group at the NSCL, which currently has 4 graduate students and 2 undergraduate students, while working closely together with a visiting faculty to the group from Kalamazoo College. The project focuses on theoretical aspects and interpretation of data. Although a large fraction of the work will be done on the computer, previous programming experience is not a requirement.
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: Systematic trends in nuclear reactions
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Filomena Nunes
Abstract:
Here at the NSCL we produce exotic nuclei very far from stability.
Nuclear reactions are one of the most important tools to study such nuclei.
Although the models for reactions with stable beams are fairly well established,
there are still many open questions regarding the reactions with nuclei far from stability.
Understanding systematic effects as we move away from stability is important to guide theory.
The student will look at the effect of having a very spatially extended wavefunction
on cross sections and connect to state of the art results.
TITLE: Absorption of neutrons through a material
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Filomena Nunes
Abstract:
Neutrons can penetrate materials but some do get absorbed.
This effect is particularly relevant for experimentalists
using neutron beams traversing a thick target.
One simple way of modelling the process is using an
imaginary potential in one-dimensional.
The student will develop this toy model and write a code that can calculate
the transmission through an arbitrary material.
A relation to a refractive index will be derived.
Results will be incorporated into ongoing experimental programs.
TITLE: Fragmentation Dynamics of a Classical System
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Scott Pratt
Abstract:
For the last twenty years nuclear scientists have argued about the mechanism for the decay of hot nuclei.
Rather than modeling the complex quantum nuclear system,
the REU student will model a similar problem of classical particles interacting through a simple potential.
Such a system shares the same principal ingredients as the nuclear case,
and an analogous competition between various breakup modes such as:
critical fragmentation, spinodal decomposition or nucleation.
Further, the simulation will allow one to test whether the mechanism
depends on the form of the interaction,
the size of system or the details with how it is prepared.
This is a self-contained project and should lead to a publication at the end of the summer.
Since the project involves a good deal of coding, the student should be willing to learn C++.
TITLE: Ultrafast Nanocrystallography and Nanolithography
(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 1 nm,
and they change into a semiconductor around 5 nm.
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 are also exploring using nanolens made by nanoparticles to defeat
diffraction limit, so we can produce nanoscale features to trap liquids
and gases to study chemistry and biology.
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: Low-temperature Physics
SUPERVISORS: Prof. Norman Birge
Abstract:
TITLE: Giant Magnetoresistances in Magnetic Multilayers
(available for 2 students -- already assigned to students Huey 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: Probing the Electronics of Bio Nano Wires
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Stuart Tessmer
Abstract:
Seeing is believing.
Probe microscopes, such as Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) actually allow you to see
and manipulate individual atoms and molecules.
For this REU project, the student will first learn the basics of STM,
and then apply the technique to a system of biologically based conducting filaments.
Incredibly, these nanowires grow from a bacterium known as Geobacter that exchanges
electrons with its environment.
We are working to answer fundamental question about the electronic properties using
STM as the primary tool. Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia that gives more details
on the bug its potential applications.
.... The Geobacter's ability to consume oil-based pollutants and radioactive material
with carbon dioxide as waste by-product has already been used in environmental clean-up
for underground petroleum spills and for the precipitation of uranium out of groundwater.
The Geobacter metabolizes the material by creating "pili,"
columns the width of a 3-5 nanometers that act as conduits to pass electrons between
the food material and the Geobacter.
.... This manner of consumption has also lead scientists to theorize that the
Geobacter could act as a natural battery.
This natural battery could use renewable biomass such as compost materials,
or be used to convert human and animal solid waste into electricity.
There are also potential applications in the field of nanotechnology for the
creation of nanowires in very small circuits and electronic devices.
The miniature wires could also be connected, creating a microscopic power grid.
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: 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 experiments.
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: Variable Stars in Star Clusters of the Large Magellanic Cloud
SUPERVISOR: Prof. Horace Smith
Abstract:
Current lamba-cold-dark-matter models for the formation of galaxies gradually build large galaxies
through the accretion of smaller systems.
If our own galaxy was built in that fashion,
there should be evidence of this among the oldest stellar populations within the Galaxy.
Among the old population of stars in the Milky Way are RR Lyrae stars.
RR Lyrae stars are core helium burning stars that pulsate, changing in brightness and surface temperature.
.... In this project, photometric observations obtained with telescopes in Chile
will be used to determine the properties of RR Lyrae stars in star clusters of the
Large Magellanic Cloud, a smaller companion galaxy of our own Milky Way.
One question to be answered is whether the RR Lyrae stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud
clusters are similar to those found in the halo of our own Galaxy.
If so, one might have built the galactic halo through the accretion of systems
like the Large Magellanic Cloud.
There will also be some opportunity to obtain observations of variable stars
with the campus 60-cm telescope, as a sideline to the main research project.
TITLE: Acoustics
SUPERVISOR: Prof. William Hartmann
Abstract:
The REU program at Michigan State for summer of 2008 includes a position in acoustics.
The acoustics project for the summer concerns the precedence effect,
the neural mechanism by which the human binaural system exploits the interaural differences
in the directly arriving sound wave to provide dominant cues to the sound localization.
The system works so fast that it acquires the necessary information for localization before any reflected sounds arrive.
Of particular interest is the range of "summing localization,"
an interval of about half a millisecond over which information is acquired and averaged.
Experiments with headphones have suggested that the duration of summing localization shows individual differences that are systematic functions of the age of the listener.
The summer project will determine whether that effect exists in the real world.
This project takes advantage of the University's Rooms Laboratory,
incorporating a reverberation room and an anechoic room, each with loudspeaker arrays.