|
|
Projects
“ Astronominal Spectral Classification ”
Michael Bartlett- University of Oklahoma
Mentor: Dr. Karen Leighly
The upcoming 4MOST project aims at observing a large amount of astronomical spectra in large scale sky surveys. As part of this project, a quick automatic classifier is
needed in order to analyze the observed data as it come in.
We plan on developing a convolutional neural network using existing data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Super Set in order to fulfill this requirement.
|
“ Control of External Fields in a Spinor Bose-Einstein Condensate ”
Jason Gordon - Georgia College and State University
Mentor: Dr. Arne Schwettmann
Finely tuned magnetic fields are crucial for controlling spin-changing collisions in a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC). External field changes from
opening drawers, moving elevator in the building, or rolling chairs in the lab can increase the uncertainty during data collection, so we are
developing a Magnetic Field Sensor to stabilize the Magnetic Field. This presentation will introduce the BEC setup and the work I will be doing this
summer.
|
“ Data Reduction of Quasar Spectra ”
Taryn Fambrough - McMurry University
Mentor: Dr. Karen Leighly
A quasar is a subtype of active galactic nuclei. It is a supermassive black hole surrounded by an accretion disk at the center of a galaxy. Quasars
emit so much light that they outshine the surrounding galaxy. The data being collected is the spectra for quasars and stars. For the data to be
usable it needs to be reduced. To reduce the data it first needs to be cleaned using the program CleanIR. Once the data is cleaned it is then put
through another program called pypeit that produces various graphs of the spectra. The spectra for the stars and target are then combined using
xcombspec.. There are still more steps in completing the data reduction and I will continue to learn how to complete the first objects data. After
completing the first set of data, all of the data for many more objects will be reduced and the emission line properties can be compared.
|
“ ITK Pixel Modules ”
Thad Tucker - University
Mentor: Dr. Abbott
The ATLAS detector is one of the particle detectors at the LHC. Pixel detectors are a part of the inner detector which is one of the major
sections of the ATLAS detector. The pixel detectors use hybrid modules which are
very thin circuit boards. Quality control tests ensure that the hybrid meets previously determined specifications after being manufactured.
In my talk I will discuss hybrid QC testing in further detail.
|
“ Higgs Boson Decay ”
Parker Lewis - University of Central Oklahoma
Mentor: Dr. Strauss
The Higgs Boson is a fundamental particle that gives mass to the fundamental particles. Higgs bosons are produced in the LHC when protons collide,
and their decay is observed by detectors such as the
ATLAS detector. One particular production mode and decay of interest is the creation of the Higgs based through gluon-gluon fusion
and decay through H->WW*->enumu. The goal of this project is to
investigate different selection criteria to determine if we can obtain a better signal to background ratio.
|
“ NIR Image Reduction of NICFPS APO Data of SACS X-RAY Detected Galaxy Clusters ”
Angelina Azzo - North Park University
Mentor: Dr. Dai
This summer I am doing image reduction of the Near Infrared Camera and Fabry Perot Spectrometer from the X-Ray Detected galaxy clusters through the Apache Point observatory.
The telescope that we are receiving images from is called the APR or Astrophysical Research Consortium, it is a 3.5-meter telescope located in New Mexico.
|
“ Emergent Phenomena in Topological Flat Bands ”
Brigham Godwin - Univerity of Oklahoma
Mentor: Dr. Uchoa
Systems comprised of one or two particles are easily solvable, yet the three-body problem has no exact solution. Condensed matter physics is concerned with systems in the thermodynamic limit of 1023
particles. This may seem impossible to approach, but many-body quantum theory provides a framework for modeling and solving these complex systems by looking at macroscopic properties rather than the
motion of individual particles. One might expect the laws of classical physics to take over at this scale, however we observe that the collection of many quantum mechanical building blocks can result in
completely unexpected emergent behavior like superfluidity and superconductivity. These phenomena have no classical description and are fascinating occurrences of quantum mechanical behavior that occur
at the macroscopic level. I will be researching emergent phenomena that arise in topological flat bands, particularly bands of quasilocalized states with nonzero Chern numbers. I will be exploring what
we can learn from these unique systems as well as their potential real-world applications.
|
“ Dynamical Phases of Spin Changing Collisions within a Spin-1 BEC ”
Jared Israelsen - Utah Valley University
Mentor: Dr. Lewis-Swan
Within a spin-1 Bose-Einstein Condensate, there exists different spin states that the atoms can
occupy, namely spin of 0, -1, or +1. The atoms can also experience spin changing collisions,
where the spin of an atom, after colliding with another atom, can change. The dynamics of the
atoms’ oscillations in between spin states can be well represented by a classical non-rigid
pendulum. Studying the dynamical phases of said pendulum gives a good view of how the atoms
oscillate between different spin states. The goal of this research is to determine what different
types of dynamical phases are within the condensate, and in what conditions they are present. We
do this by taking the microscopic Hamiltonian, ignoring the quantum noise to simplify the
Hamiltonian into an expression of two variables, and mapping this two dimensional classical
Hamiltonian onto a one dimensional potential well. The turning points found from this potential
well are the dynamical phases of the Spin-1 BEC.
|
“ A Comprehensive Study of Double-Lined Binary White Dwarfs ”
Aaron Richterkessing - University of Oklahoma
Mentor: Dr. Kilic
A double-lined binary white dwarf system is a system which contains two white dwarfs
in orbit around each other that show double-lined features in its spectrum. This double-lined
feature means that the spectrum of the object shows two absorption features instead of one due to
the contribution of both stars’ individual spectra. These systems offer an interesting glimpse into
how white dwarfs evolve and interact, and understanding these systems offers valuable insight
into stellar evolution. Currently, only 24 of these objects are known. This survey has selected 12
targets that are potentially these double-lined binary white dwarf systems. Data taken by the
Gemini Observatory in Hawaii, with observations having begun in February 2022, will be
reduced and analyzed in order to search for these objects. The reduction process involves using
IRAF, Image Reduction and Analysis Facility, to convert observations of each object into a graph
of its spectrum. These spectra will then be analyzed, specifically by analyzing the
hydrogen-alpha absorption line, in order to determine whether the target systems are indeed
double-lined systems, as well as certain parameters such as mass, period, and merger outcomes.
|
“ Mechanical Testing of the ITK Pixel Module through Thermal Cycling ”
Jack McKinney - Washington and Lee
Mentor: Dr. Stupak
This talk focuses on the upgrade of the silicon tracker at the heart of the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider, specifically the mechanical and electrical testing of assembled units to
ensure their quality prior to installation. Trackers are what enable us to get information on a particle’s momentum, as they record a series of 3D position measurements along its trajectory;
“connecting the dots” and measuring the curvature of these trajectories in a magnetic field, the momentum can be calculated. My work focuses on the Thermal Cycling test, which is designed to
alternately heat and cool the Pixel module in an environment where both humidity and temperature are controlled and measured. After this thermal cycling, the performance of the units is evaluated to
ensure the adequate performance.
|
“ A Comprehensive Study of Double-Lined Binary White Dwarfs ”
Jillian Richardson - University of Florida
Mentor: Dr. Kilic
Double-lined binary white dwarfs are binary white dwarf systems where the spectral lines of both white dwarfs can be resolved. We are looking at 12 potential double-lined binary white dwarf systems
with data taken by the Gemini Observatory. To determine if the systems are double-lined we observe the H-alpha line to see whether two lines are visible. From the H-alpha line, we are also able to
calculate properties of the white dwarfs, including velocity, mass, and period. Analysis of these systems will provide further insight into the interaction and evolution of white dwarfs.
|
“ Driven Generalized Quantum Rayleigh-Van der Pol oscillators ”
Aidan Sudler - University of Oklahoma
Mentor: Dr. Blume
Self-sustained harmonic oscillators play an important role in the self-organization of dynamical classical systems. Recent work clarified the classical-to-quantum correspondence for three different
types of oscillators, namely the Raleigh oscillator, the van der Pol oscillator, and the Raleigh-van der Pol oscillator. In the classical regime, these oscillators are characterized by
non-linearities that are proportional to the square of the velocity, proportional to the square of the position, and proportional to the kinetic energy, respectively. Using a master equation-based
formulation, this contribution will introduce ongoing work in (1) clarifying the dynamics between frames of reference, (2) investigating the response of different quantum systems to external drives,
and (3) clarifying the generality of these applications.
|
“ Driven Generalized Quantum Rayleigh-Van der Pol oscillators ”
Elise Knutsen - Carlton College
Mentor: Dr. Sellers
Perovskite solar cells have the potential to create lower cost, more energy efficient solar power and are especially promising for power generation in space. Perovskites are liquid crystals with the
general form ABX3, where A and B are cations and X is a halide. Because perovskite solar cells can be fabricated by spin coating a substrate, they are substantially cheaper to produce than
traditional solar cells, which require doping materials to create electron and hole transport layers. Additionally, they are lightweight and resilient under high energy radiation, making them
especially appealing for space travel. Our current research focuses on better understanding the behavior of perovskites under fluctuating temperatures and further characterizing their material
properties so they can be optimized for space travel.
|
“ Higgs Boson Phenomenology at the LHC ”
Alec Piccone - West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Mentor: Dr. Kao
The Standard Model is the foundation of theoretical and experimental particle physics. A relative newcomer to the Standard Model,
the Higgs boson has only been observed experimentally for around the last ten years. As such, characterization of production and
decay processes involving the Higgs boson is a priority. My work this summer will utilize simulation software, including
MadGraph5, and data processing software, including ROOT, to confirm results from the ATLAS Experiment, and will also involve
investigating WWH/ZZH couplings and Higgs to tau decays.
|
Copyright © 2012 - Board of Regents
of the University of Oklahoma
|
|