2002 Physics REU
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
PROJECT LIST

1. Proton Structure and Weak Interaction
Professor: Doug Beck

In our group (one faculty member, one senior research physicist, a post-doc and three students) we are working on two precision experiment projects associated with the weak interaction in particle physics.

In the first, the quark structure of the proton is being investigated. The experiment will be taking its first test data at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and there might be a chance for an REU student to spend some time (a week or two) at Jefferson Lab helping to prepare.

The second project is involves producing a beam of hydrogen atoms in an excited state. This beam will be manipulated with laser beams with the goal of measuring the small contributions of the weak interaction to the structure of the atom. Next summer we will be developing the equipment necessary for the experiment.

Qualifications: Lab experience; C programming and/or Mathematica experience helpful.

2. Nanotechnology and Molecular Devices
Professor: Alexey Bezryadin

One of the exciting new directions in modern physics consists of studying properties of just a single isolated molecule. Or, in some cases, a single molecule can be used as a device or a template. Probably the most interesting molecule for such research is the so-called carbon nanontube (CN). The CN is a linear molecule, which has a geometry of an empty cylinder. The length of carbon nanotubes is typically a few micrometers and the diameter is very small, only about 1 nanometer. This molecule can be a good conductor of electricity and therefore it can be used as a quantum wire in many applications, especially in nanoelectronics. In this project we will explore a different aspect of carbon nanotubes. The goal of the project is to use single nanotubes as a template for metal deposition. This approach allows one to produce extremely small devices of molecular dimensions that have not been studied before. Due to the small size of such devices we expect that they will show interesting quantum effects.

Qualifications: Lab experience

3. Physics of Electronic Musical Instruments
Professor: Steve Errede

Students will participate in the development of a lab portion of a newly created one-semester course on the physics of electronic musical instruments. The course description may be found at http://webug.physics.uiuc.edu/courses/phys398/

Qualifications: Electronics and computer skills preferred

4. Physics Education Research
Professor: Gary Gladding

Participants will have the opportunity to study the effectiveness of revisions made to the UIUC introductory physics sequence. The participant will be responsible for studying the relevant literature, analyzing data and creating questions to test conceptual understanding. Of particular interest is our recent development of Interactive Examples, web-based exercises that are designed to promote concept-based problem solving. Participants will participate in the creation of new Interactive Examples for the introductory Electricity & Magnetism course.

Qualifications: Participants must have a good understanding of the concepts and problems in the introductory physics sequence. An interest in physics education is essential. General computing experience (programming, spreadsheets, HTML, ....) will be very helpful.

5. Superconductor Thin Film Growth and Studies of the Superconductor-Semiconductor Interface
Professor: Laura Greene

When a superconductor is in good electrical contact with a normal metal, near the interface, the normal metal exhibits superconductivity and the superconducting properties of the superconductor are reduced. This is called the “superconducting proximity effect”. We study this effect using a semiconductor as the normal metal.

In previous work, we directly measured this proximity effect with a technique called “planar tunneling spectroscopy”, where a thin film of a superconductor is grown directly on the semiconductor and the conductance across the interface is measured. We found some interesting new effects, including more conduction than was predicted by theory.

Now we are studying this superconducting proximity effect using laser optics. We grow thin films of the superconductor niobium (Nb), directly on the surface of the semiconductor indium-arsnide (InAs). In collaboration with Professor Bohn in the Chemistry department, we measure the properties of the interface with Raman Spectroscopy.

Research conducted in our group during the Summer of 2002 will compliment this active research direction. Routine tasks will consist of the growth and characterization of ultra-thin Nb films on both highly-doped (metallic-like) InAs and sapphire substrates. The film growth is by sputter deposition. The characterization will primarily consist of resistivity vs. temperature measurements, from room to cryogenic temperatures, the latter achieved using liquid helium. These measurements are done in order to determine the quality of the films and the temperature of the onset of superconductivity as a function of Nb film thickness. Further measurements of the superconducting gap utilizing tunneling spectroscopy may also be conducted.

Qualifications: Experience working with superconducting materials or thin-film deposition and characterization is desirable but certainly not required. Additionally, applicants may wish to become familiar with the general principles pertaining to superconducting phenomena in order to ease the transition into the research environment. First and foremost, however, applicants should have a strong interest and enthusiasm in novel materials which display interesting quantum mechanical properties.

6. Bio-molecules in Nanostructures
Professor: Taekjip Ha

Students will learn how to combine microfluidics, nano-patterning and molecular assembly to make and characterize nano-meter scale structures of biological molecules. Examples include patterned artificial membranes, suspended DNA arrays and microsecond mixer devices. The studies of biomolecules in nanostructures are expected to guide us in designing artificial machines that can approach the efficiency and robustness of biomolecules in cellular environments.

Qualifications: None specified

7. Theoretical Cosmology
Professor: Benjamin Wandelt

There are a number of fascinating projects in Cosmology, one of the hottest topics in science today, with connections to topics in theoretical physics and astrophysics, computer science and applied mathematics.

While the exact topic will depend on your specific interests and background, the goal is to do original work or help with the development of original ideas. This is an opportunity to make a real and noticeable contribution which may well become part of a scientific publication.

My research focuses on the interface between cosmological theories and observations. Recently, I have worked on the simulation and analysis of microwave background observations by the space missions MAP (currently in orbit) and Planck (planned for 2007). I have also been involved in simulations of large scale structure of the Universe to explore the properties of different types of dark matter. I have access to computational resources at a number of national supercomputing facilities, which would be available to the student for project work.

Qualifications: Coursework in physics, mathematical methods. Advanced computer literacy, some programming experience or facility with numerical algebra package such as Mathematica a plus.

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