NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Professor Thomas Glasmacher
Title: Germanium Detectors for Nuclear Structure Studies
Abstract:
We use liquid-nitrogen cooled high-purity Germanium detectors to detect
photons emitted from nuclei in order to study the structure of exotic nuclei.
In the last two years we have assembled an array of 32-fold segmented
germanium detector, which allows in addition to measuring the photons'
energies the reconstruction of their interaction-points in the germanium
crystal. We invite a student to participate in tests of this new photon
spectrometer at the NSCL and in a first experiment at Argonne National
Laboratory. Some familiarity with or the willingness to learn C and LabView
are required.

Professor Scott Pratt
Title: Exotic Isotope Production through Statistical Multifragmentation
Abstract:
This project would involve working with the NSCL theory group and making
predictions of rare isotope yields from collisions of heavy ions. Heavy ion
collisions might provide the best means form producing certain rare
neutron-rich isotopes. The calculations, based on the canonical ensemble,
would be numerical in nature. The REU student would be responsible for
checking the sensitivity of the calculations to various parameters and
modeling choices, and might also involve comparison to recent experimental
measurements.

Professor Betty Tsang
Title: Design and Construction of a high resolution detection array (HiRA)
Abstract:
To deduce what happens during nuclear collisions, nuclear physicists
study the particles detected after the reactions. In the past decade,
large detector arrays have been built to obtain information about
charged particles produced in nuclear reactions. Most of them
measure charge and energy of the detected particles. Very few
of these detection arrays have complete isotope (charge as well
as mass) with good energy and position information.
A new generation detection array with good energy and spatial
resolution as well as the ability to identify the mass and charge
(isotope resolution) of particles emitted in a nuclear
collision has been approved by the National Science Foundation.
The proposal can be found at http:www.nscl.msu.edu/~tsang/prop15.pdf.
The design and testing of proto-type components of the detection array
is underway. An REU student can help with the design, construction and
testing of detector components in the summer. An experiment using a
prototype of the array has been approved at the Indiana University
Cyclotron Facility. If the experiment is scheduled in the summer,
the student can also participate.

Professor Alex Brown
Title: Large-basis shell-model calculations
Abstract:
I propose a project to carry out large-basis shell-model calculations
for the nucleus 132Sn and for the nearby nuclei. This nucleus with 50
protons and 82 neutrons is one of the most exotic which as been studied
experimentally. The results will be important for many applications
including the determination of the nuclei which can be made in the
astrophysical rapid-neutron capture process. The project will involve
state-of-the-art computational methods and will be relevant for current
and proposed experiments.
My research interests can be found on the website
www.nscl.msu.edu\~brown

Professor Vladimir Zelevinsky
Title: Quantum chaos and nuclear structure
Several projects are available on topics involving quantum chaos
and nuclear structure.

Professor Michael Thoennessen
Topics in experimental nuclear physics

Professor Gregers Hansen and Dr. Joachim Enders
Title: Structure of Nuclear near the Limits of Nuclear Stability
Abstract:
Recently considerable progress has been made in the study of
the ground state and low-lying excited states in isotopes far from
stability. Spectroscopic tools are knockout reactions and gamma
spectroscopy on relativistic radioactive secondary ion beams
as available at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory.
An REU student is invited to participate in these efforts and to
support ongoing research mainly in technical developments and data
analysis. We offer an introduction to contemporary techniques in
nuclear physics and to the understanding of the underlying processes.
The student is expected to work to some extent independently
and to have good knowledge of one programming language and basic
knowledge of Unix or VMS operating systems.
Skills in calculus and quantum physics are advantageous.
Contact: hansen@nscl.msu.edu or enders@nscl.msu.edu

CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS

Professor Stuart Tessmer
Title: Seeing is Believing: Mapping-Out Electronic Properties with Scanning
Probe Microscopy
Abstract:
About seventeen years ago, physicists at IBM invented the scanning
tunneling microscope (STM), ushering in a new era for the study of
surfaces. By monitoring the quantum mechanical tunneling between
the surface of a solid and a sharp tip, the STM can produce amazing
pictures. You can actually see the individual atoms that make up the
material. In addition, these microscopes can be used as local probes
of the electronic properties-- with atomic resolution. We use STM
and similar techniques to probe the physics of electronic interactions
in semiconductors and superconductors. During the summer, we will
(1) build and test sample preparation apparatus, and
(2) refine / develop data acquistion and analysis software.
REU students would be welcomed to work on various aspects
of these projects, depending on the student's interest and experience.

Professor Rong Liu
Title: Electronic structure studies using angle resolved photoemission
Abstract:
Angle resolved photoemission (ARPES) is the most direct probe of the
electronic structures in materials. In the photoemission process,
electrons in the material absorb photons and gain enough energy to
escape into vacuum. By measuring and analyzing the energy and momentum
of the photoelectrons, the electronic structure of the material can be
revealed. The prospective REU student will work with two graduate
students in the group. He or she will participate in an ARPES
experiment to be carried out at the Synchrotron Radiation Center (SRC),
a national research facility operated by the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, for one to two weeks in late June. (Transportation
and all travel expenses will be provided.) Two types of materials:
layered thermoelectric materials, such as Bi2Te3, and layered transition
metal dichalcogenides, such as 2H-TaS2, will be studied. The REU
student will also participate in the data analysis after the experiment.

Professor Phil Duxbury
Title: NONLINEAR OPTIMIZATION APPLIED TO PHYSICS
Abstract:
The tools of nonlinear optimization are applicable to a wide
range of physics problems, yet most physicists are unaware
of the most recent advances in the numerical solutions to
these problems. In this project a student will join a group
working on applying state of the art non-linear optimization
methods to problems in statistical physics.

Professor Norman Birge
Title: Spin-polarized transport in metal wires
Abstract:
We are studying spin-polarized transport of electrons in metals, at a
mesoscopic length scale. What does that mean? When electrical current
flows from a ferromagnet into a normal metal, the current consists of an
unequal number of electrons with up and down spins; i.e. the current is
partially spin-polarized. The spin-polarization doesn't last forever;
rather, it dies away because electrons occasionally flip their spins in
the normal metal. Nevertheless, the spin polarization lasts long enough
to be useful for a wide variety of spin-dependent electronic devices,
such as the read head in your hard disk drive. We are measuring
the decay of the spin polarization directly, using local probes of the
spin polarization along the wire. The probes are spaced apart by a
distance less than one micron, hence the term "mesoscopic" -- smaller
than you can see, but large compared to atomic sizes. An REU student
could help us in this project by testing the tunnel junctions used to
measure the local spin polarization. The project will involve learning
microfabrication techniques as well as how to make electrical
measurements of very small structures.

Professor Jack Bass
Title: Giant Magnetoresistance in Magnetic Multilayers.
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.

Professor S. D. Mahanti
Topics in condensed matter physics

ASTRONOMY/ASTROPHYSICS

Professor Horace Smith
Title: Photometry of RR Lyrae Stars
Abstract:
Pulsating stars have long been used to determine distances and as
laboratories for testing models of stellar structure. RR Lyrae
variable stars are pulsating giant stars which have primary pulsation
periods of about 0.5 day. Some RR Lyrae stars show multiple
periodicities, which are only poorly understood. In this project,
CCD observations will be used to analyze the light variations of
several RR Lyrae variables. The RR Lyrae star XZ Cygni, which
has a 60 day secondary period, will be targeted for observations with
the MSU 24-inch telescope.

Professor Timothy C. Beers
Title: Orbital Properties of stars in the halo and disk of the galaxy
Abstract:
AN REU student will be working with Timothy Beers on a project involving
the study of orbital properties for a large sample of non-kinematically
selected stars of the halo and thick-disk populations. A recent compilation
of data from the literature has produced a sample of N~1200 stars with full
space motions, and this summer they will add another 2000-3000 stars with
similar data from the HK survey of Beers and colleagues. The completed
sample of N~4000 stars will be used for extensive studies of numerous
kinematic properties which shed light on the formation and evolution
of the Milky Way, and other large spirals like it.

Professor Jack Baldwin
Title: Emission Lines from Planetary Nebulae and Quasars.
Abstract:
This project would involve working with Professor Jack Baldwin and graduate
student Brian Sharpee on the reduction of optical and ultraviolet spectra of
two (very different) types of emission line objects: planetary nebulae and
quasars. The planetary nebulae are gas shells that have been blown off stars
in the late stages of their evolution. This project is aimed at measuring
very weak recombination lines in their spectra in order to study the
processes by which the lines are formed. A quasar is a very distant active
galaxy with an intensely luminous nucleus. The one being studied here, using
both ground-based telescopes and the Hubble Space Telescope, has quite
unusal emission line intensities that may hold important clues about the
formation of the heavy elements in primordial galaxies

The task of the REU student will be to extract the spectra from the two
dimensional images which come from the telescope. An easy familiarity with
Linux/Unix operating systems is needed. The internationally-reviled IRAF
data analysis package will be used.

HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS (ELEMENTARY PARTICLES)

Professor Joey Huston
Title: Physics with the ATLAS Detector at the LHC
Abstract:
Calorimeter modules for the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron
Collider will be instrumented and tested prior to being shipped to CERN.
The physics environment at the LHC will be explored and various algorithms
for the reconstruction of jets will be investigated using the
Pythia and Herwig Monte Carlo programs and an ATLAS detector
simulation program.

Professor Dan Stump
Title: Parton distribution functions -- properties and comparison to data
Abstract:
Parton distribution functions describe the quark and gluon
structure of the proton. They are needed for the calculation of
cross sections at Tevatron and LHC experiments. There is an active
research effort to study the uncertainties of the experimental
meaurements of parton distribution functions, and the implications
of this uncertainty for predicting high energy cross sections.
The research involves both theory and computation.