Course Name: Phys 2990
Course Name: Intermediate Seminar
Credits: 1 or 2 Cr
Instructor: James Zabel jrzabel@iastate.edu
Course Description
Physics 2990 is designed to provide first-year students with opportunities for the rigorous investigation of a topic in physics or astronomy through close faculty-student interaction. Upon completion of the course students will have gained experience doing supervised research in physics or astronomy. They will also have improved their scientific communication skills. Offered on a satisfactory/fail basis in the Spring semester.
Spring 2025 Projects
1) Development and Performance Study of Resistive Plate Chamber Detector Prototype
- Mentor: Chunhui Chen – High Energy Particle Physics
- Description: To build several test prototypes of Resistive Plate Chamber detectors to study their operation and performance under the proportional mode for different voltages and gas mixtures using cosmic rays.
- Preferred skills: Willing to learn, some background in electronics/programming/Linux encouraged but not required
- 1 or 2 credits
2) Nano-optical studies of 2D materials
- Mentor: Zhe Fei – Condensed Matter Physics
- Description: We study the nano-optical properties and responses of a variety of novel 2D materials with the advanced near-field optical microscope.
- Preferred skills: There are no strict requirements, but it is good to have some basic understanding of electromagnetics.
- 2 credits
3) Monte Carlo Simulation of a Two-Dimensional Magnetic Lattice
- Mentor: Rebecca Flint – Condensed Matter Physics
- Description: We will use classical Monte Carlo to simulate a two-dimensional magnetic lattice as a function of temperature and magnetic field in order to compare to experimental data. You will learn about magnetic order, different kinds of interactions and the classical Monte Carlo technique, which is a great entry into computational physics techniques.
- Preferred skills: A background with Python programming
- 1 or 2 credits
4) Measuring Particle Production with the sPHENIX detector
- Mentor: Marzia Rosati - Nuclear Physics
- Description: The experiment sPHENIX is being installed at Brookhaven National Laboratory and will be collecting p+p collisions data. Using existing simulation software, we expect students to make predictions on the feasibility to measure some of the produced particles containing strange or heavy quarks.
- Preferred skills: Some programming experience or a willingness to learn
- 1 or 2 credits
5) Introduction to Quantum Matter
- Mentor: Chandan Setty – Condensed Matter Physics
- Description: This program will lay the foundations to help guide students into exploring several exciting questions in quantum matter, including superconductivity, strong correlations, magnetism, and topological materials. Our team works closely with experimentalists and embraces a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach, offering undergraduates the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects that can help them embark on topics relevant in quantum condensed matter physics. If you're curious about how quantum phenomena lead to exotic phases of matter and willing to gain some basic research skills, we welcome you to be part of our research environment.
- Preferred skills: Programming skills and an ability to code in Mathematica and/or python/Matlab/C++ is valuable
- 1 or 2 credits
6) Computational Nanoscience
- Mentor: Prof. Alex Travesset – Soft Condensed Matter Nanoscience
- Description: Calculation of interactions among nanoparticle systems from molecular dynamics and machine learning.
- Preferred skills: A background with Python programming
- 1 or 2 credits
7) LAPPD analysis for ANNIE
- Mentor: Matt Wetstein - High energy Particle Physics
- Description: Data analysis from the fast photodetector experiment of the ANNIE neutrino experiment.
- Preferred skills: Some background in programming/Linux encouraged but not required
- 1 or 2 credits