| Amherst College Physics Research | Hampshire College Physics Research | Mount Holyoke College Physics Research |
| Smith College Physics Research | Universtity of Massachussetts Physics Research |
| Prof. David Hall | We are constructing and optimizing an apparatus to study Bose-Einstein Condensation, a macroscopic occupation of the quantum ground state of a system. We plan to use this as a vehicle to study ultracold interatomic collisions in 87Rb. The 87Rb atoms are first collected, cooled and confined in a dual Magneto-Optic Trap (MOT) system. They are then loaded from the second MOT into a magnetic trap and evaporatively cooled until a sufficiently high phase-space density is achieved to realize Bose-Einstein Condensation. |
| Prof. Larry Hunter |
Electron Dipole Moment: The measurement of the electric
dipole moment of the electron is of fundamental importance to much of
physics. Currently, the upper limit stands at about 10 -27 e.cm. In this
experiment, we hope to increase this limit by perhaps 3 orders of magnitude.
We will be using Gadolinium atoms embedded in Gadolinium-Iron-Garnet (GdIG).
The first step is to line up the magnetic moments of the valence electrons
of the Gadolinium by applying a magnetic field. Any electric dipole moment
of the electrons must be oriented in the same direction as the magnetic
moment, thus the electric dipole moments of the valence electrons will
be lined up by the applied magnetic field. Then we simply measure the
macroscopic voltage produced by the superposition of all aligned electrons
in the GdIG. |
| Prof. J. Friedman | AC Suceptibility measurements: Two effects have been observed in Mn 12 that regulate a sample's relaxation rate - a characteristic rate at which the molecules can change the alignment of their spin-state. We plan to study this by making AC susceptibility measurements of a sample of Mn 12 acetate. These will allow us to determine the sample's relaxation rate. By varying the temperature (near a few degrees Kelvin) and the DC transverse magnetic field, we will test theories that predict how the relaxation rate depends on transverse magnetic field and attempt to find the specific states from which tunneling is occurring. This should allow us to determine the strength of the internal magnetic field required to cause the observed tunneling. Knowledge of the magnitude of the required field will facilitate the determination of the source of the tunneling-inducing field and will help answer the question, "What causes spin-state tunneling in Mn 12 acetate?" |
| Prof. K. Jagannathan | I work primarily in the area of High Energy Theoretical Physics. I am also interested in classical field theory, foundations of quantum mechanics, and geometrical and algebraic structures common to several areas of theoretical physics. My recent research has been on the question of the cancellation of infrared and mass singularities up to one-loop in finite temperature quantum field theories. Senior Physics majors in the last five years have worked with me on a wide range of theoretical projects for their honors theses: the possible use of the three photon decay of orthopositronium for testing Bell type inequalities; infrared singularities at finite temperatures; energy, momentum, and radiation from charges in general relativity; connnection between path integrals and the WKB approximation; certain difficulties with Bohm's ontological interpretation of quantum mechanics; and the explicit forms of C,P, and T operators for the K meson system, and the question of anti- particles. |
| Prof. R Hilbourn | 1. Experimental Tests of the Spin-Statistics
Connection: Why does nature seem to have given us just two families of fundamental
particles, bosons and fermions? Why is the spin angular momentum of fundamental
particles tied to their statistical (collective) behavior? What are the
experimental limits on the spin-statistics connection? What kinds of theories
can describe violations of the spin-statistics connection? 2. Chaos and Nonlinear Dynamics: I am currently working with an Amherst College senior physics major Matt Taylor on applying neural networks to study nonlinear systems. We plan on applying these ideas to biophysical and biomedical systems. 3. Dynamic Stark-Shift Effects in Atomic Physics: The electric field in a light beam (from a laser, for example) can "polarize" an atom and produce unusual coherent effects in atoms and molecules: |
| Prof. Will Loinaz | Collaborates with SLAC. Interests include Upersymetry and Electroweak Leptonic Observables. |
| Prof. A. Zajonc | As an experimentalist, my research has been in the areas of electron-atom collisions, lasers, and atomic physics. My recent work has centered on the experimental foundations of quantum mechanics, and specifically on the use of modern quantum-optical techniques for probing the conceptual structure of quantum theory. In addition I have a long-standing interest in the relationship between science and the humanities which in 1993 led to the publication of my book "Catching the Light, The Entwined History of Light and Mind". More recently I have been interested in Goethe's scientific studies. |
| Prof. J. Gordon | Experimental Condensed Matter Physics |
| Prof. H. Bernstein | He heads an international research team on modern physics exploring quantum teleportation. His teaching and research interests include science and society and modern knowledge; quantum interferometry, information and teleportation, and theoretical modern physics. |
| Prof. F. Wirth | His research interests center around laser physics and holography. One of his main goals at Hampshire is to create laboratory programs in the physical sciences and an Appropriate Technology center to help all students, regardless of their course of study, with their increasingly probable collision with technological obstacles. Fred is an active member of the Sustainability Center and is happy to supervise projects exploring the design and adaptation of technologies to lessen their impact on the environment. |
| Prof. Janice Hudgings | My research interests center around optics and semiconductor lasers. With the help of several Mount Holyoke students, I'm working on three projects using vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. These lasers (called VCSELs) are currently revolutionizing the semiconductor laser world: they're small, incredibly fast, cheap, and have tons and tons of neat new physics to explore! |
| Prof. Sean Sutton | Underground Particle Physics and Astrophysics - Double Beta Decay of 100Mo, 116Cd, and 82Se at sites in Osburn, Idaho and the Frejus Underground Laboratory, France; Construction of testing modules for BaBar's calorimeter at SLAC; color transparency in Nuclei and Large Angle Exclusive Reactions, EVA 850 at BNL; modernization of Williston Observatory with CCD Detectors and Automated Controls. |
| Prof. H. Nicholson | Member: Calorimeter Group of the BaBar Collaboration at the Stanford Linear Accelerator. International collaboration of over 400 physicists developing an experiment to study fundamental symmetry violations in elementary particle physics. Member: EVA Collaboration at the Brookhaven National Laboratory AGS. Collaboration of about two dozen physicists, trying to study large angle single collisions of elementary particles with nuclear matter. Has had primary responsibility for rebuilding of the superconducting magnet. |
| Prof. Shubha Tewari | Primarily in the field of Complex fluids, also known as structured fluids or "soft" condensed matter. I also have an interest in using new computer technology as an educational tool for visualizing and understanding abstract physical concepts. My specialization is theoretical Condensed Matter Physics. I use analytical techniques as well as computer simulation methods in my research. My main interest is in materials and systems composed of a large number of interacting objects - depending on what I am studying, these objects could be electrons, magnetic spins, or soap-bubbles. |
| Prof. John Durso | Interactions between hadrons at
low to intermediate energies; meson exchange models of meson-meson, meson-nucleon,
and nucleon-nucleon scattering in vacuum and in nuclear matter. Ongoing
research collaboration with colleagues at the State University of New York
at Stony Brook and at the Forschungszentrum Juelich, Juelich, Germany, as
well as other European research centers. We have recently had the pleasure of seeing our predictions for the change in the interaction of pi mesons with pi mesons in a nuclear medium as the density of the nuclear medium increases from zero (vacuum) to nearly the density of nuclear matter confirmed experimentally. |
| Prof. Nalini Easwar | Her current research interest is in the experimental study of complex fluid systems such as macromolecular solutions, colloids and granular materials. |
| Prof. Piotr Decowski | Experimental nuclear physics: spin structure
of nucleons, mechanism of heavy ion nuclear reactions, giant oscillations of nuclei. |
| Gary Felder | I mostly study what happened
in the first fraction of a second after the big bang. This work involves computer simulations of a variety of theoretical models, with the aim of comparing the results of those simulations to observable effects such as the microwave background radiation or large-scale structures. In this way we can learn about the early universe as well as testing theories of high-energy physics. |
| Prof. Nathanael Fortune | In the same way that a brick wall is built brick by brick, molecular materials are assembled molecule by molecule. Molecular conductors and magnets offer an promising alternative to traditional metals and rare-earth magnets. The low cost, light weight, potentially high strength and self-assembling nature of molecular conductors and magnets may lead to applications ranging from flat-screen lap-top computer displays to electric car batteries to nanoscale size magnetic recording devices. Not surprisingly, the structural anisotropy of these materials also leads to corresponding anisotropies in many other of their physical properties (such as electrical conductivity). In particular, these electronically and magnetically quasi-low dimensional materials are unusually susceptible to dimensionally-driven phase transitions from normal conducting to novel superconducting, insulating and magnetic states when perturbed by small changes in pressure, magnetic field, crystal structure and chemical composition. Current research on these materials aims to indentify these dimensionally driven transitions and to understand their physical origin. |
| Dietrich Lueerssen | Semiconductor optics. Special
interest in III-V and II-VIsemiconductors with high spatial resolution
(<1µm) and high temporal resolution (<150fs) at low temperatures
(5K). His special interest was the influence of local |
| Prof. D. Weinberger | Specializes in nonlinear optics and optical fibers. |
| Prof. B. Hawkins | Research interests include Chaos, Laser trapping and cooling, Optical pumping, Physics of violins |
| Prof. Malgorzata Pfabe | Theoretical nuclear physics; in
particular nuclear reactions, fusion, fission, and collisions between heavy ions. |
| Prof. Melvin Steinberg | Conceptual difficulties and non-formal reasoning in physics learning, reforming pre-college physics education. Studying model evolution driven by a sequence of optimal discrepant events. Research tool -- tutoring interviews with novice students. Subject domain -- electric circuits. |
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Experimental Physics
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| Low Temperature Physics Group | |
| Prof. Robert Hallock | Low Temperature
Physics: The work of Prof. Hallock's group has focused on various aspects
of the physics of thin quantum fluid films, superfluidity, avalanche and
hysteresis phenomena in fabricated porous materials, wetting, and in separate
directions, on the physics of macromolecular adsorption, and certain aspects of high temperature superconductors. |
| Prof. Donald Candela | Low Temperature Physics: Prof. Candela's research
activity is divided between two areas: (a) quantum fluids and solids at very low temperatures, and (b) classical statistical systems at ambient temperature. |
| Nanoscale Electronics | |
| Prof. Mark Tuominen | NanoScale Electronics: Professor Tuominen's research work is centered on the science and technology of quantum nanostructures. This work involves the fabrication of new nanometer-scale devices and materials systems, together with experiments that probe the interesting electronic and magnetic behavior these tiny devices exhibit. |
|
Soft Condensed Matter and Nanoscale |
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| Prof. Anthony Dinsmore | Soft Condensed Matter and Nanoscale Self-Assembly. Professor Dinsmore's group studies the physics of soft materials: colloids, emulsions, vesicles, biological cells, and suspensions of nanoparticles. Our experiments probe the relationships between inter-particle forces, structure, and dynamics of many-bodied systems - relationships that are central to research in condensed-matter physics. |
| Disordered, Porous, and Granular Media | |
| Prof. Po-zen Wong | Prof. Wong's group studies
a broad range of phenomena in porous media and random interfaces, including electrochemical interfaces, fluid transport and percolation, and adsorption and wetting. |
| Prof. Narayanan Menon | Prof. Menon's group investigates the behavior
of disordered condensed matter, including supercooled liquids and granular fluids. |
| Prof. Donald Candela | Prof. Candela's research
activity is divided between two areas: (a) quantum fluids and solids at very low temperatures, and (b) classical statistical systems at ambient temperature. |
| UMass Medium Energy Nuclear Physics Group | |
| The nuclear
physics group at the University of Massachusetts investigates the structure of nucleons and nuclei and the fundamental properties of the electroweak interaction in order to gain new insights into the fundamental theory governing the forces of nature. |
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| High Energy Particle Physics | |
| UMass
HEPEX Group •Prof. Richard Kofler •Prof. Stanley Hertzbach •Prof. Guy Blaylock •Prof. Stephane Willocq •Prof. Carlo Dallapiccolo |
Experimental
High Energy Physics research aims at understanding the fundamental nature
of matter in terms of its elementary constituents and interactions. At UMass
there are two groups working in this field. The first is an effort involving
Prof. Monroe Rabin in a search for strange quark matter at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). The second is an effort involving Professors Blaylock, Hertzbach, Kofler and Willocq in a search for CP violation and rare phenomena at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). |
| Physics Education Research | |
| Physics
Education Research Group: •Prof. William Gerace •Prof. Jose Mestre •Prof. Robert Dufresne •Prof. William Leonard |
Our Mission is: |
|
Theoretical Physics
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| High Energy Theory Group | |
| Prof. John Donoghue | Our present
theory of the fundamental interactions, the Standard Model, in principle
contains detailed predictions for all aspects of the world that we observe.
However, it is often a great challenge to uncover these predictions because
of the complexity of the interactions. New techniques and insights are continually
needed in this process, with the goal of both understanding the Standard
Model and of finding evidence for new physics beyond our present framework.
The effective field theory techniques can be applied beautifully to general
relativity. This leads to a reliable way to unite quantum physics and general
relativity, valid in the low energy domain. Prof. Donoghue has pioneered
this framework. As an example he has provided the first calculation of the
quantum correction to the Newtonian gravitational potential. There is the
possibility of using this framework to explore the quantum violation of
singularity theorems of classical general relativity. Probably the greatest
present puzzle in the field is the mechanism for the extremely tiny value
of the cosmological constant. One avenue of investigation posits the possibility
that the constants of physics could be different indifferent domains of
the universe. For this to become a full physical theory we need to find
ways to have the fields which determine these constants frozen at a continuous
range of values in cosmology. Prof. Donoghue is presently exploring this
idea in chaotic inflation and string theory. |
| Prof. Eugene Golowich | Professor Golowich's research interest is mainly concerned with `particle phenomenology'. This is the part of elementary particle physics that emphasizes the connection between theory and experiment. In the past decade, he has studied the physics of hadrons (those particles which contain quarks and interact strongly) which lie at both the low mass and the high mass ends of the particle spectrum. |
| Prof. Barry Holstein | Barry Holstein's
research is primarily in the area spanning the intersection of theoretical
particle and nuclear physics. He is perhaps best known for his work involving
fundamental symmetry tests using nuclei, including both nuclear beta decay
and muon capture as well as purely hadronic systems such as nuclear parity
violation. Recently he has been involved in the area of chiral perturbation
theory, which identifies rigorous predictions concerning low energy reaction
processes that follow strictly from the (broken) chiral symmetry of quantum
chromodynamics (QCD). |
| Dr. David Kastor | In the past few years, new techniques
have opened up the study of strong gravitational fields within string theory.
Much current interest focuses on the study of various extended objects known
as D-branes, which turn out to be keys to a non-perturbative understanding
of string theory. D-branes can be described at two levels, at a fundamental
level as surfaces on which strings can end, and in an effective low-energy
description as higher dimensional analogues of black holes. Comparing these
dual descriptions has led to dramatic progress in our understanding of black hole physics. The precise focus of Dr. Kastor's own research shifts from year to year, but over the past few years he has concentrated on problems in this general area - gravitational aspects of string theory. |
| Prof. Jenny Traschen | Prof. Traschen's research is in the general area of classical and quantum gravity. In the past few years this has focused on black holes and related objects, particularly on black branes in String Theory and M-Theory. Her broad areas of interest have been the phenomena of black hole thermodynamics and evaporation, positive mass theorems and BPS states in gravity, classical solutions and quantum instanton solutions, and the interactions between solitonic objects. |
| Statistical and Computational Physics | |
| Prof. Jonathan Machta | Professor Machta's research interests are in theoretical and computational statistical physics and condensed matter physics with and emphasis on (1) the development and application of new computer algorithms for simulating phase transitions and (2) applications of computational complexity theory to problems in statistical physics. He also works on phase transitions and transport in porous media, superfluidity, random and self-avoiding walks and nonlinear dynamics. Professor Machta's second area of current interest is the interface between theoretical computer science and statistical physics. |
| Prof. Nikolay Prokof'ev | Prof. Prokof'ev's current research areas include magnetic relaxation in small monodomain particles and quantum Monte Carlo simulations of many-body systems, as well as various aspects of quantum dynamics in dissipative systems, phase transitions and superfluidity.All these questions are of direct relevance to the recently discovered systems of Fe(8) and Mn(12), which are crystals composed of molecules with spin number S=10. Recent developments in quantum Monte Carlo algorithms open up the possibility of numerically solving problems of long-standing and current interest. Diagrammatic Monte Carlo methods in combination with the Worm-algorithm are used to study such problems as polarons, exciton-polarons, self-trapped states, holes in magnetic insulators, and interacting bosons. |
| Quantum Fluids and Solids | |
| Prof. W.J. Mullin | Professor Mullin's research interests are in quantum fluids and solids. He and his collaborators have studied polarized Fermi fluids, including pure liquid 3He, 3He gas, and dilute solutions of 3He in liquid 4He. Thermal conductivity, viscosity, and spin diffusion in these systems are interesting because of their strong dependence on the degree of magnetic polarization. Recently, he has extended his studies of polarized systems to solid paramagnets, including solid 3He. The recent discovery of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in alkali gases held in magnetic traps has caused excitement among researchers. In these gases particles avalanche into the lowest quantum state at a certain temperature. Prof. Mullin and his collaborators have been studying what happens in two-dimensional versions of these systems. |
| Prof. R.A. Guyer | There is behavior seen in the properties of a rock, concrete, and soils that must have a description that is independent of the specifics of those systems. What are the generic elements of a suitable description of the elastic properties of consolidated materials? Examples include rocks, soils, concrete, and wet sand. How do we develop a description of systems for which the equation of state is not an analytic function of the state variables? |
| Macromolecular and Multiscale physics | |
| Prof. M. Muthukumar | Prof. Muthukumar, a faculty member in the UMass Polymer Science department who frequently takes on physics graduate students, pursues theoretical studies of the statistical mechanics of polymers, including studies of phase transitions in polymers, polyelectrolyte dynamics, and self-assembly and pattern recognition. |
| Prof. J. Krumhansl | His research interest in theoretical
physics and wider aspects of science have continued: condensed matter, materials,
and biomolecular physics. In condensed matter, both hard and soft, he has focused on multiscale science; from nanoscale, mesoscale, to macroscale. His materials of study include metals, ferroelastic materials, polymers, glasses, and biopolymers. Applications include displacive transitions in materials in many forms, ferroelastics, martensite, smart materials, tweed nanostructure, hysteresis, and more. He also studies multiscale phenomena in biological materials, protein dynamics and folding, and diffraction theory for biomaterials. The central issue of organizing principle in all these cases is the origin and nature of the demarcations between scales; nonlinear science has much to say about this. |