Educational History
- Ph.D. University of Oklahoma, Expected May 2022 (Tentative)
- M.S. University of Oklahoma, 2018
- B.A. North Central College, 2015
Hello I'm James DerKacy and I am currently a graduate student in the Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Oklahoma working towards a Ph.D. in physics with a specialization in astronomy. My research focuses on both theoretical and observational aspects of supernova; in particular, their spectra and their progenitor systems.
As part of the SN Numerical Radiative Transfer Group (SNNRTG) here at OU, I utilize the PHOENIX code to simulate spectra of a variety of supernovae for comparison to observational data. My current focus is generating spectra to better explain the diversity of Type Ia SNe, including focuses on the ultraviolet and better understanding the root causes of the differences in optical spectra between different Branch subgroups. I've also worked on examining whether or not super-luminous supernova (SLSN) may be caused by the interaction between the supernova ejecta and circumstellar material, or by other more exotic mechanisms like magnetars. This class of supernovae are roughly 2 to 3 magnitudes brighter (or 10x more luminous) than a standard Type Ia SN at peak brightness, and their luminosity cannot currently be explained by traditional models.
Additionally, I use part of OU's time allotment on the 3.5 m telescope at Apache Point Observatory to collect optical spectra of supernovae from early times through the nebular phase for multiple projects. Through our work with the Precision Observations of Infant Supernovae Explosions (POISE) collaboration we are actively working to obtain rapid cadence, multi-wavelength photometry and spectroscopy as close to explosion as possible to answer many outstanding questions about supernova progenitors through detailed studies of the outer ejecta. With this data, we hope to be able to answer outstanding questions about the progenitors and explosion mechanics of all types of supernovae.
During my undergraduate career, I interned at Argonne National Laboratory under the supervision of Steve Kuhlmann through the SULI program, working primarily to assist in the development of silicon photonics for use as atmospheric OH filters. I also provided assistance to the Dark Energy Survey (DES) Supernova group at Argonne, including analysis of supernova light curves and identifying targets for spectroscopic follow-up. Information on the silicon photonics project can be found here and information on DES and its mission are located here.
A listing of all works I've written or contributed to can be found here.
Throughout my time in the department the method most recommended to study for qualifying exams has been to work old qualifier problems, focusing on the most frequently asked topics first. To that end, I have assembled my solutions to numerous old qualifiers for other students to utilize during their studying. These solutions span qualifying exams going back more than a decade and are available in gzip files below. These gzip files also include review notes complied by myself and other former graduate students for your use as well. Additionally, a pdf copy of the topic breakdown of qualifier questions between 2008 and 2016 is available for the three physics exams (a topic list for the astronomy exam is included in the gzip file).
Note: I do not guarantee the correctness of all solutions that I have provided; in fact several solutions are outright wrong, and I attempted to note these solutions when I was intelligent enough to recognize my stupidity. Additionally, several solutions are incomplete or simply undone.
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