CURRENTLY AVAILABLE RESEARCH PROJECTS
| PROJECT #1 | Title: Simulation
of Gravitational N-Body Problem Including the Gravitomagnetic
Interaction
Description: For weak fields the gravitational field
equations
of general relativity can be written in a linearized form similar to
Maxwell's
equations of electromagnetic theory. The n-body interaction in this
linearized
form of gravitation is being investigated using the Monte Carlo method.
The aim of
the project is to determine what role, if any, the gravitomagnetic
interaction plays in galaxy formation and structure. Special requirements: Must have completed PHY 3183 (Electricity and Magnetism) and PHY 4113 (Analytical Mechanics). |
| PROJECT #2 | Title: Simulation
of Gravitational N-Body Problem Using Finite Range Gravitational Force
Description: Graviton-graviton scattering suggests
that eventually the Newton gravitational interaction will have a finite
range. The n-body interaction in this
finite-range form of gravitation is being investigated using computer
simulation and numerical methods.
The aim of
the project is to determine what role, if any, the finite range for the
gravitaitonal interaction plays in galaxy formation and structure. Special requirements: Must have completed PHY 3183 (Electricity and Magnetism) and at least concurrently taking PHY 4113 (Analytical Mechanics). |
| PROJECT #3 | Title: Gravitational
Analogue
of Free Electron Laser
Description: For weak fields the gravitational field equations of general relativity can be written in a linearized form similar to Maxwell's equations of electromagnetic theory. The interaction in this linearized form of gravitational waves with matter is being investigated. The aim of the project is to solve the linearized equations for a periodic array of matter and develop the gravitational analogue of a free electron laser. Special requirements: Must have completed PHY 3183 (Electricity and Magnetism) and PHY 4264 (Optics and Laboratory). |
| PROJECT #4 | Title: Gravitational
Analogue
of Photonic Crystals
Description: For weak fields the gravitational field equations of general relativity can be written in a linearized form similar to Maxwell's equations of electromagnetic theory. The interaction in this linearized form of gravitational waves with matter is being investigated.The aim of the project is to solve the linearized equations for a periodic array of matter to see if the usual band structure arises and attempt to use this structure to design gravitational wave reflectors, resonance cavities and amplifiers.In short to develop a gravitational analogue of photonic crystals. Special requirements: Must have completed PHY 3183 (Electricity and Magnetism) and PHY 4264 (Optics and Laboratory). |
| PROJECT #5 | Title: Two
Dimensional Atoms
Description: Confined in a micrometer-sized dot at low temperatures electrons can form new, artificial atoms in which the electrons can only fill two dimensional shells. The aim of the project is to solve the appropriate Schrödinger equation and build up a new “two-dimensional” equivalence of Mendeleev’s “three-dimensional” periodic table. Special Requirements: Must have completed PHY 4203 (Quantum Mechanics). |
| PROJECT #6 | Title: Dimensional
cosmological
principle
Description: Investigation into possible new cosmologies based on a more objective cosmological principle. Special requirements: Must be attending PHY 3123
(Astrophysics) |
| PROJECT #7 | Title: Bayesian
Statistics in Quantum Physics
Description: Special requirements: Must have completed PHY 4203 (Quantum Mechanics). |
| PROJECT #8 | Title: Renormalization
and Phase Transition Models of the Population Explosion
Description: Special requirements: Must have completed PHY 3884 (Math Physics I). |
| PROJECT #9 | Title: Quantum
Bayesian Networks
Description: Special requirements: Must have completed PHY 4203 (Quantum Mechanics). |
| PROJECT #10 | Title: CCD
Astronomy Image Enhancement
Description: The purpose of this project is to
use the Department’s telescope and CCD camera to take images of Messier
objects and then use the Pixon method to enhance the images. (See http://www.pixon.com/ and
the references there.) Special requirements: This project will require learning to use the department’s 8-inch Meade telescope and CCD camera. |
| PROJECT #11 | Title: Photonic
Crystal Device Simulation Description: Photonic crystals are periodic dielectric structures that have a band gap that forbids propagation of a certain frequency range of light. This property enables one to control light with amazing facility and produce effects that are impossible with conventional optics. Photonic crystals are the optical analogue of electron conduction in crystals, can be described exactly using Maxwell's Equations, and solved by computer simulation. (See http://ab-initio.mit.edu/photons/ and the references therein) The purpose of this project is simulate photonic crystal devices that are the optical analogue of semiconductor devices. This work will involve analytical work and computational work. Special requirements: A good working ability with vector calculus, electromagnetic theory, and computer programming skill is required. |
| PROJECT #12 | Title: Ritz Emission
Theory of Electrodynamics Description: In the Ritz emission theory of electrodynamics, the electromagnetic field of an accelerated charge particle can be given in terms of a Lienard-Wiechert-like potential. (See http://www.ebicom.net/~rsf1/crit/1908a.htm and http://www.ebicom.net/~rsf1/ritz.htm as well as the discussion of Ritz's theory in Classical Electricity and Magnetism by Panofsky and Philips.) After calculating these potentials, the energy flux radiated from an accelerated charge can then be calculated in the Ritz theory. The purpose of this project is to perform this calculation and compare to the standard theory. Special requirements: This work will involve mostly analytical work and a good working ability with vector calculus and classical electromagnetic theory. |
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