Potential REU Projects
Potential REU Projects - Summer 2024
Astronomy/Astrophysics
Prof. Jeffery Chilcote
Email: jchilcot@nd.edu
Professor Jeffrey Chilcote studies focus on the construction of astronomical instruments, the direct detection and characterization of extrasolar planets, and the analysis of binary stars to estimate the ages of these planets. Direct imaging of extrasolar planets involves blocking, suppressing, and subtracting the light of the bright parent star so that a planet hundreds of thousands of times fainter can be seen and studied in detail. Prof. Chilcote’s instrumentation lab works with telescopes in Hawaii and Chile to construct and deploy sophisticated instruments on sky. REU students may be involved with analyzing binary star data to estimate ages, orbits and positions of stars, with ongoing instrumentation work and/or the analysis of astronomy and instrument performance data from these high contrast instruments.
Prof. Evan Kirby
Email: ekirby@nd.edu
Galactic archaeology is the technique of learning what galaxies were doing billions of years ago using the evidence left over today. What types of supernovae were exploding? How rapidly was the galaxy forming stars? Answers to these questions are encoded in "archaeological" evidence: present-day stellar motions and compositions. The Subaru Prime Focus Spectrograph will be the world's best survey instrument for galactic archaeology when it turns online in 2024. The spectrograph will be located at the Subaru 8-meter telescope in Hawaii. It will have 2,394 optical fibers that can be placed on stars in a 1.25 sq. deg. field (which is a wide field by the standards of large telescopes).
There is much work to prepare for the survey. This REU at Notre Dame will focus on validation of the measurements of stellar velocities and compositions. We will generate mock data to test our software pipelines, and we will use any actual data available from the ongoing commissioning of the instrument. The ultimate goal of the project is to demonstrate the readiness of our software pipelines and to obtain reliable estimates of the expected precision as a function of the brightness of the targeted stars
Prof. Lauren Weiss
Email: lweiss4@nd.edu
Exoplanet science is an explosive new field catalyzed by the discovery of over 5000 planets orbiting other stars via ground-based observations and the NASA Kepler and TESS space telescopes. Among these discoveries, the planets in multi-planet and multi-star systems offer a unique but relatively unexplored lens for understanding the solar system. As part of the Astroweiss group, the undergraduate researcher will use recently collected, proprietary data to discover new planets and characterize their fundamental properties in dynamically rich, multi-body planetary systems.
Condensed Matter Physics/Biophysics
Prof. Badih Assaf
Email: bassaf@nd.edu
Quantum materials: optical and electrical properties. Our team specializes in studying the optical and electronic properties of quantum materials with focus on superconductivity and antiferromagnetism. We use various tools that allow us to measure the optical response and electrical conductivity of thin films of such material at various temperatures and under a strong magnetic field. The projects that are available for the summer REU include Raman spectroscopy measurements on 2D superconductors, infrared spectroscopy measurements on antiferromagnetic semiconductors and topological insulator thin films, and room temperature magnetotransport measurements on the latter.
Prof. László Forró
Email: lforro@nd.edu
Study of Quantum Materials
In quantum materials, the essential properties cannot be described in terms of semiclassical particles and low-level quantum mechanics because their collective properties are governed by genuine quantum behavior. They present strong electronic correlations or electronic order, such as superconducting or magnetic orders, or materials whose electronic properties are linked to non-generic quantum effects – topological insulators and Dirac electron systems such as graphene and other 2D materials, The fundamental understanding of quantum materials holds the promise of a revolution in human life by harnessing quantum materials and leveraging them for computation, sensing, and imaging. Research on the control of quantum materials can be used in life sciences for more efficient energy harvesting and storage, quantum computation, and quantum communication to sense NMR of a single molecule and MRI of a single proton,
This study aims to prepare new materials that advance the field of quantum materials. The materials are going to be characterized by EPR, Raman, photoluminescence, PPMS, and SQUID/VSM methods. The results of this study help the students to deepen their knowledge (both theoretical and experimental techniques-wise) and try to give new insights into the field. The successful candidate will choose a research topic, i.e., material or characterization method and
The successful candidate will choose a research topic, i.e., material or characterization method of interest, and work closely with ND postdocs and graduate students on sample synthesis, investigation, and data analysis.
Preferred discipline(s), expertise, lab skills, etc. Experimental background; basic knowledge of electron paramagnetic measurement. Or superconductivity or magnetism. Experience in chemical synthesis is a plus.
Prof. Nirmal Ghimire
Email: nghimire@nd.edu
Synthesis and characterization of quantum materials. Most modern-day computers and microelectronics make use of the semiconductor silicon, which exploits the electron’s charge to store, transmit, and process information. Although silicon has been instrumental in technological advancements over the past several decades, use of the electron’s intrinsic spin, in addition to its charge, holds promise for thinner, faster and more energy-efficient devices. Our group uses materials synthesis as the main tool to discover and study new quantum materials with the aim of understanding the fundamental physics of these materials that eventually can help find the material for the next generation technology beyond silicon.
We enjoy training young minds in our group to help generate their interest in condensed matter and materials science. In our group, students can quickly start using various techniques of materials synthesis and characterization of these materials, while learning their physics their
importance for the broader scientific community. Both high school and undergraduate interns have worked in our group in the past. We continue to support the summer interns for the purpose of encouraging the young minds for future scientific work force, and as a means of
back to the community.
Prof. Yi-Ting Hsu
Email: yhsu2@nd.edu
Machine-learning quantum electronic systems: dynamical and topological phases. Our group theoretically studies the nature and behavior of quantum electronic systems where the electrons interact with each other in profound ways. Specifically, we apply both analytic and numerical methods to model, analyze, and simulate states of matter that have unique symmetry, topological, and dynamical properties. The available projects for the REU program focus on using various machine-learning techniques to study (1) the dynamical phase diagrams of non-equilibrium quasiperiodic systems, and (2) the classification and material prediction for topological superconductors.
Prof. Dafei Jin
Email: dfjin@nd.edu
The Emergent Quantum Systems Laboratory (EQSL) at University of Notre Dame investigates topics at the intersection of condensed matter physics and quantum information science. One of our primary research focuses is the ongoing development of a novel quantum bit (qubit) platform for quantum computing, created by trapping and manipulating single electrons above the surface of solid neon. This system has advantages over other leading qubit platforms, such as superconducting quantum circuits (adopted by IBM and Google) and semiconductor quantum dots (adopted by Intel and Microsoft), in its simplicity and material purity. While our recent experiments have shown that electron-on-neon (eNe) qubits possess excellent single qubit performance, a future challenge will be to design scalable integrated chip architectures that are capable of hosting large systems of eNe qubits.
During this summer project, the successful candidate will work on designing and fabricating a proof of concept for a simple 3D eNe chip architecture. Using chip design software and numerical simulation, the student will conceptualize the device, and then using photolithographic and chemical etching techniques, the student will fabricate their device design in the Notre Dame nanofabrication facility. Aside from computational design and fabrication training, the REU student will have the opportunity to gain experience with basic low temperature physics techniques and some theoretical basics of quantum information science.
Prof. Xiaolong Liu
Email: xliu33@nd.edu
Quantum Materials Research: We create, manipulate, visualize, and understand novel quantum states of matter such as superconductivity. Experimentally, we use cryogenic scanning tunneling microscopes (STMs) as both an imaging tool with atomic resolution and a construction tool that crafts quantum matter atom by atom. For the summer REU program, the student will have the opportunity to work with low-temperature STM to characterize unconventional superconductors with co-existing density wave orders. In addition, the student will create customized functions using Nanonis Programming Interface for advanced spectroscopy and imaging measurements, which will play a key role in enabling the characterization and discovery of emergent quantum matter.
Prof. Sylwia Ptasinska
Email: sylwia.ptasinska.1@nd.edu
Low-energy electron interactions with biomolecules. Abundance of fundamental and applied cross-disciplinary research areas, involving low energy electrons (LEEs), have experienced a significant growth in recent years. Specific reactions, induced by LEEs, are relevant to many fields: plasma, nanolithography, dielectric aging, radiation processing and waste management, astrobiology, planetary and atmospheric chemistry, radiobiology, radiotherapy, and explosive detection. The LEE interactions are also relevant to many experimental techniques in which samples are probed by radiation (e.g., synchrotron studies). It is generally accepted that electrons with energies less than 15 eV are considered “low energy”. In recent years our group focused on LEE interactions with DNA and its constituents. It has been shown that nucleobases play an essential role in radiation damage to DNA by acting as antennas for capturing the LEEs. However, other macromolecules within the cell (e.g., cell membrane or proteins) may be susceptible to radiation damage.
Thus, in this research project, a student will be involved in revealing, identifying and quantifying all major electron induced fragmentation patterns of different biologically relevant molecules in the gas phase.
Prof. Petr Stepanov
Email: pstepano@nd.edu
Since the experimental discovery of two-dimensional graphite (graphene) in 2004, the field of 2D or van der Waals (vdW) materials have been rapidly developing. Recent observations of superoncductivity in twisted bilayer graphene, brought a whole new prospect into the field and promised to answer some fundamental questions of high-temperature superconductors. Our laboratory focuses on creating two dimensional heterostructures that facilitate observations of strongly-correlated physics in 2D. Their unprecedented tuneabililty promises new ways to explore and manipulate electron-electron correlations thus solving long-standing problems of modern condensed matter physics. REU students may expect to be introduced and participate in the device fabrication process, involving transfer setup building, monolayer isolation and controlled stacking of 2D layers. These samples will be further used to study their properties in the scattering type cryogenic near-field optical microscope (cryo sSNOM) to identify their local thermodynamic and optical properties. REU students will receive world-class training in sample nano-fabrication and acquire useful skills widely used across the entire field of vdW materials research.
Prof. Dervis Can Vural
Email: dvural@nd.edu
We are a theoretical group that works on the interface between statistical mechanics and biology. Currently we focus on three categories of problems: First, evolution of strongly interacting populations, particularly when stochastic factors are as influential as selection events. For example, we would like to understand how an ecological web gets mingled, or what role phenotypic diversity plays in cancer. Secondly, we are interested in failure and death: We study how complex systems respond to the malfunction of one or few crucial components, and how malfunctions spread. Thirdly we are interested in “inverse problems”, particularly in the context of complex materials and networks. This class of problems involves obtaining equations and assumptions directly from experimental behavior, rather than the other way around. We are particularly excited about cases where the data is consistent with multiple conflicting assumptions!
High-Energy Physics
Prof. Laura Fields
Email: lfields2@nd.edu
Neutrino oscillations are the phenomena whereby the flavor (electron, muon, or tau) of a neutrino changes as it travels through space. Understanding this mysterious process requires a precise understanding of neutrino beams and the interactions that create neutrinos in these beams The NA61 experiment at CERN and the EMPHATIC experiment at Fermilab are making measurements of hadron-nucleus interactions for this purpose. This project will involve analysis of recently collected EMPHATIC and/or NA61 data. The project requires some experience with programming, and familiarity with Python, C++, and the Linux operating system would be helpful.
Prof. Kevin Lannon , Prof. Mike Hildreth and Prof. Marc Osherson
Email: mhildret@nd.edu
Email: klannon@nd.edu
Email: mosherso@nd.edu
The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment looks at collisions produced by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Geneva, Switzerland. The LHC is the worlds highest energy particle collider, with a growing dataset that could be hiding the next big scientific discovery. An REU student selecting this project would work on one of three projects: (1) Analysis of CMS data, particularity studying top quarks and Higgs bosons or searching for signs of new physics decaying to high energy photons. (2) Explorations of the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to CMS data analysis. (3) Studies of a new trigger algorithm planned for the high-luminosity upgrade of the CMS detector planned for 2028.
Prerequisites: This project requires familiarity with programming in either Python or C++ and the Linux operating system. Knowledge of the scientific python ecosystem (especially numpy and matplotlib), ROOT, or Pytorch is a plus.
Prof. John M. LoSecco
Email: losecco@nd.edu
Nuclear Physics
Prof. Tan Ahn
Email: tan.ahn@nd.edu
Our research group studies how nuclear properties are determined by the underlying interactions of the nucleons. This is an extremely difficult task, but we aim to make progress in this direction by studying various nuclear reactions using a variety of nuclei. One of the tools we use to study these reactions is a detector, called a time-projection chamber, that can record a 3-dimensional image of a single reaction taking place inside its gas-filled volume. By recording a large number of these images, we can deduce the probability of a certain reaction taking place. This information gives us insight into the internal dynamics of the nucleus. There is a number of opportunities for projects related to these type of measurements, which include the design of a printed-circuit board for an electron-amplification detector, design of a test chamber for testing detector gases, use of lasers in gas cells, development of particle-track visualization, and development of data analysis and data acquisition programs. Students can also participate in experiments at the Nuclear Science Lab as opportunity allows.
Prof. Ani Aprahamian
Email: aapraham@nd.edu
Professor Aprahamian is a nuclear experimentalist whose research focuses on measurements of nuclear properties that affect stellar environments and explosive astrophysical scenarios. These include masses, beta-decay half lives, beta-delayed neutron emission probabilities of exotic neutron rich nuclei, and the evolution of nuclear structure for nuclei near stability. She is particularly interested in using particle and gamma-ray spectroscopy tools to address open questions in nuclear science. She is an expert in nuclear level lifetime measurement techniques. Presently developing instrumentation for the simultaneous measurement of gamma-rays and conversion electrons resulting from nuclear reactions.
Prof. Daniel Bardayan
Email: dbardayan@nd.edu
Exploding stars such as novae and supernovae produce exotic nuclei that are not typically found on Earth but must be created artificially in the laboratory. This project involves the creation of such exotic nuclei using accelerated beams at the Nuclear Science Laboratory in combination with the TwinSol facility. The student will be involved in a number of projects involving TwinSol including the possibility of performing experiments with exotic beams.
Prof. Maxime Brodeur
Email: mbrodeur@nd.edu
Ion trapping, an experimental technique traditionally used in atomic physics, is now being applied to perform precision measurements to help answer questions ranging from explaining the origin of the heaviest elements to searching for physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. We are currently developing ion traps to answer these questions at the University of Notre Dame. The REU student will be involved in research and development of ion transport and trapping devices.
Prof. Mark Caprio
Email: mcaprio@nd.edu
Prof. Caprio's research is in "ab initio" nuclear structure theory, that is, predicting the structure and excitations of light nuclei directly from the forces between the protons and neutrons. This is a very challenging computational quantum mechanics problem, which requires large-scale supercomputer calculations. We are working on developing methods to make this problem easier -- either by using mathematical methods, such as Lie algebras, to simplify the calculations, or by extrapolating the results obtained from smaller calculations in order to get the results we need. The REU student project will involve working with some aspect of this problem, depending on the student's interest and background. Background at the level of an undergraduate modern physics or quantum mechanics course is necessary, and the project will require a solid undergraduate mathematics background in linear algebra (group theory and differential equations are also helpful) and good programming abilities.
Prof. Manoel Couder
Email: mcouder@nd.edu
The recoil separator St. George will be used to study rare but important nuclear reactions critical in understanding the evolution of the elements heavier than iron. St. George has been commissioned with the study of well known-reactions. It is expected that during the summer we will perform multiple measurements. Any interested REU student will be welcomed to contribute to those measurements.
Dr. Richard deBoer and Dr. Edward Stech
Email: rdeboer1@nd.edu
Email: estech@nd.edu
The rates at which (α,n) reactions happen on light nuclei are needed to model the creation of the elements and for determining how nuclear material is evolving in long term storage containers for nuclear reactor fuel. We are preparing to embark on a series of measurements of these (α,n) reactions at the University of Notre Dame Nuclear Science Laboratory. For this summer REU project, the participant will help to construct the experimental station for these measurements, create a computer model of the setup, and perform a series of calibration measurements. The student will learn about the research areas of Nuclear Astrophysics and Nuclear Nonproliferation.
Prof. Umesh Garg
Email: garg@nd.edu
Nuclear Incompressibility is one of the three fundamental quantities characterizing the equation of state of infinite nuclear matter and the only one which has not been measured in a direct experiment. It is critical to our understanding of a wide variety of nuclear and astrophysical phenomena including neutron stars, stellar collapse, supernovae, and collective flow in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. We measure nuclear incompressibility directly by observing the compressional-mode vibrations of atomic nuclei. These experiments are carried out at the Research Center of Nuclear Physics at Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. The REU student will help with data analysis and learn, via lectures by the professor, about this exciting area of research.
Prof. Graham Peaslee
Email: gpeaslee@nd.edu
Our research is focused on the use of nuclear physics techniques in environmental and medical applications. Ion beam analysis techniques such as Particle-Induced Gamma-ray Emission and Particle-Induced X-ray Emission are used to screen samples for chemicals of concern such as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) as well as heavy metals and halogenated flame retardants. A 3MV tandem pelletron accelerator is dedicated to these measurements and students will be involved in operating this accelerator and its detector systems and measuring both standards and environmental samples. Each specific research project will involve students in sample collection and preparation, running the accelerator and acquiring data, as well as data analysis and interpretation for publication.
Prof. Anna Simon-Robertson
Email: asimon3@nd.edu
The origin of proton rich heavy elements (p-nuclei) is one of the greatest mysteries of stellar nucleosynthesis. The project involves working with a gamma-ray summing detector (HECTOR) on measurements of capture reactions relevant for nuclear astrophysics. Students will participate in the experiment at ND, work on data analysis and Monte Carlo simulations, they will utilize C++, ROOT and Geant4 libraries in their work.
Prof. Ragnar Stroberg
Email: sstrobe2@nd.edu
Nuclear theory for searches for new physics
High-precision measurements of nuclear beta decays can provide stringent tests of proposed extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics. These measurements have become sufficiently precise that sub-percent level theoretical corrections now constitute the leading source of uncertainty. One of these corrections involves quantifying the extent to which isospin symmetry (symmetry with respect exchange of protons and neutrons) is broken in nuclei. Our group works on ab initio nuclear theory, and we are interested in understanding how isospin-symmetry-breaking components of the interaction between nucleons manifests in nuclei, and how approximations made in solving the quantum many-body problem impact uncertainties for searches for new physics. An REU student would perform and analyze ab initio calculations, and/or explore a toy model to help identify important mechanisms.