Phys 2990 - Intermediate Seminar

Course Name: Phys 2990

Course Name: Intermediate Seminar

Credits: 1 or 2 Cr

Instructor: James Zabel jrzabel@iastate.edu 

Associated courses: Phys 1990

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 improve their scientific communication skills. Offered on a satisfactory/fail basis in the Spring semester.

Spring 2026 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
  • Number of Students: 1
  • 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.
  • Number of Students: 1
  • 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 with 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
  • Number of Students: 2-3
  • 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
  • Number of Students: 2
  • 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
  • Number of Students: 1
  • 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
  • Number of Students: 1
  • 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
  • Number of Students: 1
  • 1 or 2 credits

8) Playing with Magnetism: Maxwell’s Equations

  • Mentor: John Hauptman - High Energy
  • Description: An excuse to understand Maxwell’s Equations in pictorial, differential and integral forms. Can an EM wave be generated by shaking a magnetic charge?
  • Preferred skills: Willingness to jump ahead in the textbook.
  • Number of Students: 2
  • 1 or 2 credits

9) Non-linear Dynamics: Ordinary DiffEq (ODE) for adsorption-reaction kinetics

  • Mentor: Jim Evans - Condensed Matter and Nanoscience
  • Description: Analyzing coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations (in Mathematica etc.) describing cooperative adsorption and reaction processes.
  • Required skills: Familiarity with Ordinary Differential Equations and being comfortable using Mathematica (or other platforms) to analyze (numerically integrate) these.
  • Number of Students: 1
  • 1 or 2 credits

10) SPHEREx Observations of Star-Forming Regions

  • Mentor: Charles Keaton - Astronomy
  • Description: We will use data from NASA's newest astrophysics space telescope to examine infrared spectra from a sample of star-forming regions. You will learn a bit about astrochemistry and star formation while learning how to access and interpret data from the SPHEREx mission.
  • Preferred Skills: Interest in astrophysics.
  • Number of Students: 1
  • 1 credit

11) Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and Tungsten Tip Etching

  • Mentor: Joong-Mok Park - Condensed Matter
  • Description: Custom building an AFM with a Quartz Tuning Fork. Electro-chemical etching of a thin Tungsten wire for the AFM tip. Application of a DC or AC voltage to make a sharp (~10nm) tip with an NaOH solution.
  • Preferred Skills: Knowledge of basic instrumentation and LabView programming (will be taught)
  • Number of Students: 1
  • 1-2 credits

12) Reweighting Top Quark Monte Carlo Data

  • Mentor: James Zabel - Teaching Professor (High Energy Particle Physics)
  • Description: Sample MadGraph Top-Antitop Monte Carlo samples from two different widths to generate a smooth set of samples for all widths in between.
  • Preferred Skills: C/C++ coding (perhaps Python) and an eagerness to learn about particle physics
  • Number of Students: 1-2
  • 1-2 credits

13) The James Webb Space Telescope as a Physics Problem

  • Mentor: John Hauptman - High Energy
  • Description: TBD.
  • Preferred Skills: 
  • Number of Students: 2
  • 1-2 credits