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We describe below nine projects in four research areas and provide links to the web pages of the associated faculty mentors. We expect that all nine of these projects will be offered to prospective REU participants in 2023.
Mentor: Ron Gilman
Project: Proton Radius Puzzle — no longer available
Description:
We are taking data to study the charge distribution of the proton, and its radius. We scatter a mixed beam of muons, electrons, and protons from a hydrogen target. Comparing muon and electron scattering provides a test of lepton universality. Assuming their equivalence, the muons and electrons determine the charge distribution and the radius, and also test higher order theory corrections to the determination. The pions test our ability to understand the strong interaction, Quantum ChromoDynamics, in the regime where it cannot be directly solved by the usual perturbation theory, but can be solved by an approach referred to as effective field theory. We are currently analyzing the initial period of scattering data to develop analysis techniques and software, to understand and calibrate the beam, and to optimize detector performance. We expect to take additional data throughout 2022 - 2023. A student working on this project can get involved in various analysis projects commensurate with their interests. All work will lead to an understanding of subatomic physics techniques as well as a beginning to understanding relativity and quantum mechanics.
Mentor: Amit Lath
Project: Research with the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment at the
Large Hadron Collider— no longer
available>
Description:
High energy particle physics is an exciting field, filled with many
yet-to-be-answered questions about the world around us. The highest energy
ever collider in the world, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), collides protons
at a high energy and provides us with the tools to answer some of these
questions. State-of-the-art technology used by the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS)
detector at the LHC plays a key role in this effort. The REU student working on
this project will have the opportunity to work on a range of possible searches
for new particles and new phenomena such as those predicted by supersymmetry
in current CMS data, as well as help design innovative new search techniques
for the challenging environment of the upcoming High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC).
Mentor: Andrew Mastbaum
Project: Accelerator-based neutrino physics
— no longer available
Description:
Neutrinos are the most abundant massive fundamental particles in our universe, but among the least understood.
Measuring neutrino properties expands our knowledge of matter's most fundamental constituents and may help explain the very existence of our matter-filled universe.
Our group is involved with an array of experiments using particle accelerator-produced neutrino beams to study the properties of neutrinos and their interactions with other matter, including the upcoming Short-Baseline Neutrino Program hosted at Fermilab and DUNE.
A student working on this project will work with simulated data and/or data from detector prototypes to study the capabilities of these upcoming experiments for discerning neutrino interaction models and measuring neutrino oscillations.
Students will gain experience with the physics of neutrinos and neutrino detectors as well as data analysis techniques and software tools.
Mentor: Srivatsan Chakram
Project: Quantum information processing with superconducting circuits
and cavities — no longer available
Description:
Over the past two decades, various engineered quantum systems, such as trapped
ions, neutral atoms, defects in solid materials, optical photons, and
superconducting quantum systems, have made significant advances in
performance and complexity. These developments have opened up the possibility
of using quantum phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to develop
transformative technologies in computing, communication, and sensing. Our
group is addressing fundamental challenges in superconducting quantum
computing by developing quantum information processors and simulators that
combine superconducting circuits with very low-loss multimode superconducting
microwave cavities. We are exploring ways to improve quantum hardware by
developing new device architectures that are resistant to errors, integrating
supporting superconducting circuits with improved circuit coherences and
faster gate speeds, and developing new quantum control techniques. A student
working on a project in our group will gain experience in topics ranging from
low-noise cryogenic microwave measurements, nanofabrication of superconducting
circuits, and calculating quantum properties of superconducting circuits and
systems. They can also gain experience with finite element electromagnetic
simulations of microwave systems and applying optimal control techniques to
realize quantum gate operations on superconducting quantum systems.
Mentor: Weida Wu
Project: Exploring topological edge states in quantum materials
— no longer available
Description: The focus of this research program is to explore the
fascinating topological edge states on single crystal surfaces of quantum
materials with topological electronic structures using low temperature
scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The REU participant will participate the
research activities including sample preparation, data acquisition, data
analysis and modelling.
Mentor: Geraldine Cochran
Project: Using Social Network Analysis to Understand Community Development for Engineering Majors — no longer available
Description:
Prior research in physics education and engineering education indicate that engagement in a community is important to the success of STEM majors. Further, enagement within a community has been shown to be a predictor of student academic sucess in introductory STEM courses. The current project involves investigating community development for engineering majors utilizing the Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) Framework. In the CCW framework, several forms of capital including familial, linguistic, social, resistace, and aspirational capital all contribute to an individuals' cultural wealth - which serves as an asset in one's academic journey. We will investigate the community development of engineering majors using surveys and interviews. The REU student will conduct interviews and analyze survey data.
Last edited April 12, 2023.