Example Research Projects

Sample projects for REU and RET participants

• Justin Peatross
• Branton Campbell
• Ross Spencer
• Steve Turley
• David Allred
• Gus Hart
• Robert Davis
• Tim Leishman and Kent Gee
• Richard Vanfleet
• Dallin Durfee
• J Ward Moody
• Scott Bergeson
• Eric Hintz
  
• John Colton
  
• Denise Stephens
• Victor Migenes
  

Justin Peatross

High Harmonic Generation

Our group has built a laser system that produces intense light pulses lasting a few tens of femtoseconds. By concentrating the laser energy into such a brief interval, extraordinary intensities can be achieved (equivalent to taking all of the sunlight striking the Earth and concentrating it onto the head of a pin). For more information visit http://webs.byu.edu/jpeatross/ . In one example project, students will use high harmonic light to probe the reflectivity of multi layer mirror surfaces in the extreme ultraviolet wavelength range. Since the high harmonics are linearly polarized, the reflectance at oblique incidence can be studied as a function of polarization orientation.

Background Needed

• students should have a basic understanding of the wave and ray theory of light.
• they should have careful hands-on aptitude for working with expensive (and potentially dangerous) laser equipment
• some experience in metal machining is also useful.

Skills Developed

Students will learn how to safely use high-energy short-pulsed lasers, generate high harmonics, model ultra-short light pulses, use high vacuum systems, and utilize optical detection systems.

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Branton Campbell

Materials Science

Students in our group use intense particle beams (e.g. electrons, x-rays, neutrons) to probe atomic structures in useful and exotic materials such as high-temperature superconductors and superionic conductors and their relationships to the interesting material properties. Our group has a high-intensity single-crystal x-ray diffractometer equipped with a megapixel x-ray camera. We also travel to national and international facilities for synchrotron x-ray and neutron scattering experiments. See http://www.physics.byu.edu/faculty/campbell/ for more information.

Background Needed

• introductory physics and/or chemistry courses
• programming experience
  

Skills Developed

• drive state-of-the-art diffraction instruments
• get hands-on experience building new equipment
• learn Fourier analysis techniques
• use sophisticated data analysis software such as Maple, MATLAB, or Mathematica

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Ross Spencer

Computational Plasma Physics

Work in computational plasma and gas dynamics involves the kinetic theory of plasma vibrations and applied work on the expansion of a hot gas through a supersonic nozzle. Students who work in this area will learn the basics of particle-in-cell simulations, electrostatic field calculations, and the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method.

Background Needed

• Exposure to solving differential equations.
• Some computer experience.

Skills Developed

• MATLAB programming experience.
• FORTRAN programming experience.
• Computational physics tools.
• Basic plasma physics.

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Steve Turley

Extreme Ultraviolet Optics

Students will characterize optics designed for the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) part of the spectrum.  From these characterizations, we will learn the optical and materials properties needed to design mirrors, filters, and polarizers for applications in space-based telescopes, XUV photolithography, XUV microscopes, and plasma diagnostics.  Our analysis tools and techniques include x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XUV reflectometry, visible and UV ellipsometry, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and electron microscopy.  Most of these measurements will be made at BYU, but some may require a trip to the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories.

Background Needed

• Introductory exposure to the physics of electromagnetic waves and ray optics. Computer experience may be helpful (particularly with Labview).
• Basic machine shop experience may be helpful.

Skills Developed

• high vacuum techniques
• understanding of XUV optics, sources, and detectors
• improved programming skills
• use of the characterization equipment mentioned above
• preparation of optics for space applications
• optical modeling skills

For more information see http://volta.byu.edu/xray.html

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David Allred

Extreme Ultraviolet Optics

Students will fabricate and use thin film multilayers to obtain optical constants of compounds and elements in the vacuum and extreme UV. One or two REU students will work with Professor Allred to understanding the VUV constants of transition metals, both amorphous, crystalline and microcrystalline at several wavelengths. There is a very basic question which has not been properly addressed: at what point, as we move from the visible through the UV into vacuum UV, do physical effects become as important as chemical effects in determining the indices of refraction of a compound?

Background Needed

• Introductory mechanics, electromagnetic theory, and modern physics.

Skills Developed

• High vacuum and ultra-high vacuum systems.
• Sputtering techniques.
• X-ray diffraction measurements.
• X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements.
• Ellipsometry.
• Atomic force microscopy.
• Thin film evaporation techniques.

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Gus Hart

Materials Science

Our group studies how materials change when they are alloyed with other materials. What happens when a tiny bit of copper is added to aluminum? What happens when titanium is mixed half-and-half with molybdenum? Why does a little bit of scandium harden aluminum? Our studies are computational, numerically solving the Schroedinger equation for a solid, either directly with "first-principles" =approaches or by "fast Hamiltonian" methods such as lattice-based models. Our research often leads us into algorithm development, learning about group theory or combinatorial methods, or developing methods for visualizing or analyzing complex data sets. To see student projects that have been published, go to http://msg.byu.edu/pubs.php.

Background Needed

• Programming and scripting skills or a willingness to learn Unix computing skills
• Basic understanding of solid state physics or a willingness to learn

Skills Developed

• High performance computing skills.
• Fundamentals of alloys and solid state physics.
• Programming/scripting/analysis skills.
• Group theory/combinatorics/linear algebra

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Robert Davis

Nanostructure Fabrication and Characterization

Our group is working on microscale and nanometer scale fabrication and characterization. Recent advances now allow us to fabricate structures including biological structures with sizes down to a few nanometers across. In our research, we are exploring carbon nanotube composites, nanoscale chemical patterning of surfaces, and nanocrystaline phase change materials. These nanostructures have unique mechanical and electrical properties and will have significant impact in many fields including: solar power conversion, micromachines and mimcrosensors, and biological tissue growth. We perform a host of measurements on these structures to aid in understanding and controlling their structure and physical properties.

Background Needed

• introductory mechanics
• electricity and magnetism
• modern physics
• electronics is valuable

Skills Developed

• Nanomaterial preparation and characterization techniques including
  • chemical vapor deposition of nanotubes
  • atomic force microscopy and manipulation
  • ellipsometry
  • electron microscopy
  • lithography

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Tim Leishman and Kent Gee

Accoustics

There are several opportunities for collaborative research with faculty and current graduate students in the area of acoustics. Many projects involve making a variety of acoustical measurements in different types of sound fields. Examples include pressure or energy-based measurements in our anechoic or reverberation chambers, in ducts, or outdoors. Some research may include working with theoretical or numerical models for comparison with experimental data. Other research could involve measurement automation using LabVIEW or another package. Applications of current research involve architectural and audio design, jet and rocket noise simulation, and active noise control.

Background Needed

• strong interest in acoustics, audio, or noise control
• aptitude for working with instrumentation (oscilloscopes, analyzers, microphones, etc)
• familiarity with a numerical mathematics program such as MATLAB or Mathcad
• knowledge of passive electrical circuits
• an ability to both work as a team and independently
• a working knowledge of LabVIEW would be helpful

Skills Developed

• hands-on familiarity with acoustical measurement hardware
• ability to comprehend relevant technical literature
• acoustic data analysis and graphical representation
• data interpretation
• physical experiment design
• programming experience in MATLAB, Mathcad, LabVIEW, or another langauge

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Richard Vanfleet

Electron Microscopy

These projects involve the characterization of materials from the micron level down to atomic dimensions. The primary tools are electron microscopes (SEM and TEM). These unique instruments will not only allow students to image nanostructures and new materials but will allow them to probe structure, composition, and chemistry with high resolution.

Background Needed

• introductory physics
• some computer experience

Skills Developed

• materials handling and polishing
• SEM and TEM sample preparation
• SEM and TEM basic operation

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Dallin Durfee

Atomic Physics

We are nearing completion of an experiment which will split and then recombine the quantum wave of Ca atoms.  By observing the resulting matterwave interference we will be able to make precision measurements of such things as relativistic time dilation and gravitational redshift.  Practical applications of this device could include extremely precise accelerometers, gravity sensors for navigation and mineral exploration. A second matterwave interferometer using Sr+ ions will be used to search for violations of Coulomb’s law and a possible photon rest mass.  For more information see http://www.physics.byu.edu/faculty/durfee/.

Background Needed

• An interest in atomic physics and lasers, good reasoning skills, and the ability to put things together and make them work.
• While not necessary, some experience with optics, electronics, machining, or some knowledge of modern physics would be very helpful.
  

Skills Developed

• How to work with and construct lasers and optical systems
• Design and construction of electronics
• Laser cooling and laser spectroscopy
• Ultra-high vacuum techniques
• Mechanical design and construction.
• Practical knowledge of quantum and atomic physics theory.

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J. Ward Moody

Astronomy

We have a 16” remote telescope in central Utah operated both remotely over the internet via a satellite link and by on-0site personnel. This telescope is used to monitor variable objects such as pulsating stars and active galactic nuclei. Students can work on projects ranging from monitoring to image enhancement and analysis.

Background Needed

• Computer control of instrumentation
• Introductory astronomy
• General problem solving skills

Skills Developed

• Astronomical observing techniques
• CCD Imaging
• Basic telescope operations.
• Theory of variable galaxy nuclei
• Data reduction methods using IRAF software
  

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Scott Bergeson

Atomic Physics

Constructing and characterizing a calcium beam source for an atomic clock. The beam will be generated by heating calcium atoms under high vacuum to produce a thermal vapor. A small hole in the oven will allow some of the vapor to spray out. The escaping vapor will be collimated by two very narrow slits. The student’s work would involve constructing the oven, measuring the velocity distribution and total flux of atoms using absorption spectroscopy, and comparing the measurements to theory to assure that the oven is operating properly.

Background Needed

• Students should be familiar with the fundamentals of optics and thermodynamics, and should be comfortable working with their hands and with tools.
  
• An advanced knowledge of optics, lasers, vacuum technology, or electronics would be helpful but not necessary.
  
• Machine shop skills are also useful.

Skills Developed

• How to work with lasers and modern optics
  
• How to make optical measurements accurately
  
• How to take and interpret atomic spectra
  
• How to apply thermodynamics to a real experiment, the basics of high vacuum technology, and lab and laser safety.
  

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Eric Hintz

Astronomy

There are a large number of astrophysical events that can be studied by finding and monitoring variable stars. My research program is currently working on methods of finding very low amplitude variables in open clusters. We find pulsating variable stars and eclipsing variable stars, and perhaps one day we will find an extra-solar planet. These stars give information about the clusters and the evolution of stars. In addition, we have been monitoring High-Mass X-ray Binary systems. This is a binary star system with one supermassive star in orbit around a black hole. We will likely monitor a number of these systems in the summer of 2008. REU students will work on a project in one of these fields by taking data either on campus, or at our West Mountain Observatory.

Background Needed

• introductory astronomy class helpful

Skills Developed

• astronomical observing techniques
• CCD observing
• telescope operations
• data reduction methods using IRAF
• astronomy background
  

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John Colton

Optical Studies of Semiconductors

This research has been focused on studying the spin of electrons in semiconductors (spin is an inherent property of electrons, like charge or mass). We have been working on making experimental measurements of spin lifetimes in the semiconductor GaAs (gallium arsenide), its alloys, and in semiconductor nanostructures based on GaAs & alloys. Experimental techniques combine optical spectroscopies such as photoluminescence and reflectivity with magnetic resonance of the electron and nuclear spins. Experiments are done at very low temperatures (1.5 K) and large magnetic fields (1+ tesla). Students help in all aspects of the experimental work, including things like writing computer programs to control equipment and take data, aligning the lasers and optics, plotting and analyzing data, and filling up the magnet system with liquid helium.

Background Needed

• introductory modern physics class
• some computer programming and/or basic electronics would help

Skills Developed

• experience with lasers, microwaves, liquid nitrogen & liquid helium, and a very powerful magnet
• optical spectroscopy techniques
• fundamental concepts in quantum mechanics and semiconductor physics
• computer programs to control experiments
• miscellaneous lab skills (basic electronics, plumbing, soldering, etc.)

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Denise Stephens

Astronomy

Our research group is currently looking for both binary brown dwarf systems and binary objects in the Kuiper Belt using data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). An REU student would primarily work with us on refining the binary detection technique, looking for new binary systems, and characterizing the uncertainty in the detection approach and the final magnitudes, separations, etc. of the systems.

Background Needed

• Introductory astronomy class useful, but not required
• Must be able to write and work with some kind of computer programming language
• Have enough familiarity with programming to read and understand fortran programs
  

Skills and Knowledge Learned

• Analyzing and Reducing data from HST
• Creating programs to handle various aspects of data reduction
• Learning how to program using monte carlo techniques
• Data reduction using the STSDAS package in IRAF
• Background in astronomy doing some cutting edge research
  

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Victor Migenes

Astronomy

Radio-interferometry techniques is a powerful tool to study the processes involved in star formation and evolution.

The star formation process is shrouded in an environment of gas and dust which obscures the region and does not allow the study at optical frequencies. At the opposite end of star formation, Late-type Stars develop thick molecular shells which are also not detected in the visible spectrum. This leaves the radio regime of the electromagnetic spectrum as the most important window to study these processes. The high spatial resolution provided by the interferometric techniques used in arrays like the VLA and VLBA in the USA, MERLIN and ATCA in England and Australia, respectively, allow us to study the physical mechanisms by which stars are formed and later die.

Background Needed

• Introductory physics and chemistry courses would be helpful
• Introductory astronomy knowledge would be helpful but not necessary
• Some computer experience

Skills and Knowledge Learned

• Radio astronomy observing techniques
• Data reduction methods using AIPS software Data analysis and imaging MASER physics

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