Research Projects: Summer `96
Proposed Research Project Descriptions:
Listed below is a brief summary of some of the research projects that were
available during the summer of 1996.
Professor Xuong: Experimental Biophysics
We are looking for one or more people who are interested in the hardware design
of a pixel imaging systems for Protein Crystallography. The candidates will
participate in the design of a real time data acquisition system using room
temperature Si or CdZnTe solid state x-ray detectors and associated support
hardware on a ISA or VME platform. Candidates should have a basic
understanding of analog and digital electronics including ADC/DAC conversion
techniques and some programming experience in C or C++. Tasks will include
circuit design using Pspice and will be expected to follow up the design with a
working prototype using a computer interface. In addition to hardware design,
the candidate will be expected to use their analytical skills to model charge
transport of the solid state detector meterials using Matlab and/or Pspice.
Professor Maple: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
Single crystals of high temperature copper oxide superconductors will be
prepared and characterized. Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility
measurements will then be performed in both the normal and superconducting
states. Efforts will be made to increase the superconducting transition
temperature as well as to optimize the superconduction properties of these
single crystals. Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility
measurements will also be made.
Professor Abarbanel: Non-Linear Science
Research into the chaotic dynamics of lasers. Experimental data is obtained in
experiments at Georgia Tech. There exist good measurements and new analysis
tools for the study of this chaos. Models for these processes are based upon
quantum mechanics. The models are adjusted based upon the experimental data and
are analyzed using computers.
Professor Berkowitz: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics and Material Science
Research involves preparation and study of sub-micron, magnetic single domain
particles, especially with respect to their magnetic and structural properties.
They are interesting for several reasons. Firstly, they have reasonably high
magnetizations and Curie temperatures, together with low structural symmetry.
This combination should result in high coercive force and remanence. Secondly,
they are very stable in air. Both these properties make them promising
candidates for high density recording materials.
Professor Levine: Theoretical Biophysics/Nonlinear Dynamics
Computer simulation of pattern formation in microorganism colonies. Specific
systems that are under investigation include the formation of mound structures
in the slime mold Dictyostelium and the formation of spot patterns in e-coli.
Familiarity with some high-level programming language (preferably C) as well as
the UNIX operating system required.
Professor Hellman: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
The project will consist of research on novel magnetic materials. The students
will be involved in the preparation, characterization or measurements of these
materials, using for example an ultra-high vacuum multi-source deposition
system, various magnetometers for magnetic measurements, and a transport
measurement apparatus.
Professor Schuller: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
Research involves developing methods for the preparation, characterization and
study of the physical properties of one and zero dimensional, magnetic or
superconducting structures. This requires the use of state of the art growth
technique together and the development of electron beam lithography methods for
the preparation of the structures. Another research project involves
photoexcitation in high temperature superconductors, magnetotransport in
magnetic multilayers and superlattices, search for new superconductors etc. All
these are done using state of the art thin film growth equipment, structural
characterization using a variety of in situ surface analysis techniques,
ex-situ diffraction, and a number of physical properties measurements.
Professor Sharma: Experimental High Energy Physics
We offer opportunities for undergraduate research in Experimental High Energy
Physics using a Matter-Antimatter collider (CESR) in Ithaca, NY. The research
opportunities include study of Matter-Antimatter transformation in particles
made of b quarks and search for rare decays of B mesons.
Professor Grinstein: Theoretical High Energy Physics
The project consists of finding numerical solutions to the t'Hooft equation.
Armed with these, the student will be able to calculate a number of physical
quantities in the model. In particular, the student could verify the proposed
behaviour of form factors for transitions of heavy mesons to excited light
mesons. It would be expected of the student some competence in computer
programming (Fortran or C), rudimentary knowledge of numerical methods, some
exposure to quantum mechanics and "modern physics" and solid knowledge of
undergraduate math (calculus and linear algebra in particular).