Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Black-To-White Hole Transition, Farshid Soltani

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Classically, an isolated black hole is a stable gravitational object. If however semiclassical effects are taken into account, an isolated black hole can be shown to slowly radiate its mass away in a process called evaporation. At the end of the evaporation process, when the size of the horizon becomes Planckian, the quantum nature of the gravitational field can no longer be neglected and the dynamics of the horizon is governed by quantum gravity. The main objective of this thesis is the systematic investigation of a tentative scenario for the “end of the life” of a black hole: the black-to-white …

Machine Learning Techniques For Intermediate Mass Gap Lepton Partner Searches At The Large Hadron Collider, Bhaskar Dutta, Tathagata Ghosh, Alyssa Horne, Jason Kumar, Sean Palmer, Pearl Sandick, Marcus Snedeker, Patrick Stengel, Joel W. Walker

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

We consider machine learning techniques associated with the application of a boosted decision tree (BDT) to searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for pair-produced lepton partners which decay to leptons and invisible particles. This scenario can arise in the minimal supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), but can be realized in many other extensions of the Standard Model (SM). We focus on the case of intermediate mass splitting (∼30 GeV) between the dark matter (DM) and the scalar. For these mass splittings, the LHC has made little improvement over LEP due to large electroweak backgrounds. We find that the use of …

Amorphous Transparent Oxide P-Type Semiconductors, Joshua Santy

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

For decades, n-type transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) have been extensively studied and applied in various energy and optoelectronic devices. However, the search for high-performance p-type TCOs, crucial for transparent p-n junctions and next-generation microelectronics - remains uncertain. The most studied p-type TCOs (e.g ., Cu2O-based delafossite family) exhibit the carrier mobilities (<1 cm2Ns) that are much smaller than those in typical n-type TCOs (10-100 cm2Ns). In contrast to the Cu-based layered materials with a relatively flat Cu d10 valence band (resulting in the hole effective mass of 2.5me), Sn2+ in SnO has s2 electronic configuration giving rise to a significantly more dispersed valence band (the hole effective mass is 0.5me) and, hence, to higher hole mobility. Currently, the practical use of SnO is limited due to (i) stability issues of SnO associated with tin preference for valence 4 (as in SnO2, a well-known n-type TCO); (ii) small band gap ~0.7 eV; and (iii) anisotropic hole effective mass in the crystalline phase. Further search for p-type TCOs should involve amorphous phases of SnO-based multi-cation materials where metal composition helps stabilize Sn2+ and open the band gap, whereas the disordered structure is expected to result in uniform isotropic electronic properties and low scattering due to absence of grain boundaries.

Enhancing Galaxy Surveys With Machine Learning, Steven Karst

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Applications of machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (Al) to problems in astrophysics and cosmology have recently entered a golden era. In response, we have updated two of our recent ML/Al efforts that contribute to galaxy surveys whose main scientific target is to reveal the nature of the Comsic Acceleration or Dark Energy. We first revised our effort to infer cosmological information beyond the survey geometry using Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) to take advantage of supercomputing resources on campus. We then updated our methods for galaxy target selection in the Subaru Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) survey with modern reinforcement learning …

Visualization Of Ultracold Atomic Samples, Samuel Schrader

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Laser cooling techniques have evolved into a powerful experimental tool to perform precision spectroscopy (for instance, atomic clocks), study fundamental few-body dynamics, and create well-controlled systems for quantum information applications. When the atoms are captured, it is critical to analyze the laser-cooled atomic samples carefully and characterize their properties, such as density, temperature, population distribution, etc., in order to perform these advanced tasks. A straightforward way to measure these properties is detecting the visible optical photons emitted from the sample with a camera. Throughout this project, I have written and developed a computer application that controls a camera and extracts …

Enhancing Galaxy Surveys With Machine Learning, Steven Karst

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Applications of machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI) to problems in astrophysics and cosmology have recently entered a golden era. In response, we have updated two of our recent ML/ AI efforts that contribute to galaxy surveys whose main scientific target is to reveal the nature of the Cosmic Acceleration or Dark Energy. We first revised our effort to infer cosmological information beyond the survey geometry using Graph Neural Networks (GNN) to take advantage of supercomputing resources on campus. We then updated our reinforcement learning methods for galaxy target selection in the Subaru Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) survey with …

Stripe Order, Impurities, And Symmetry Breaking In A 3-Dimensional Model Of A Diluted Frustrated Magnet, James Elverson, Thomas Vojta

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Many quantum materials feature low-temperature phases that break realspace symmetries in addition to spin or charge symmetries. Examples include stripe phases in cuprate superconductors, nematic phases in iron pnictides, and spin-density waves in magnetic materials. Realistic materials always contain some quenched disorder or randomness. To understand the effect of disorder on phases that break real-space symmetries, we investigate the influence of spinless impurities on a frustrated 3-dimensional J 1-J2 Ising model through Monte Carlo simulations. Spin less impurities generate random field type disorder for the spin-density wave (stripe) phase in this system. Whereas the long-range stripe order is destroyed by …

Development Of Colpitts Self Oscillator For Measurement Of Magnetic And Superconducting Properties, Jasmine Billingsley

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Topological materials can serve as promising platforms for next-generation technology. Magnetism in such systems is often a consequence of emergent quantum phenomena, and the traditional framework is insufficient to fully describe their magnetic properties. In this project, we will perform precision magnetic measurements utilizing the Colpitts self-oscillator to determine the temperature- and field-dependent AC magnetic susceptibility in the topological magnetic materials. The collective knowledge learned from this proposed research would shed light on the understanding of exotic magnetism in topological materials, potentially leading to new physics of magnetism.

Development Of Colpitts Self Oscillator, Jasmin Billingsley

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Topological materials can serve as promising platforms for next-generation technology. Magnetism in such systems is often a consequence of emergent quantum phenomena, and the traditional framework is insufficient to fully describe their magnetic properties. In this project, we will perform precision magnetic measurements utilizing the Colpitts self-oscillator to determine the temperature- and field-dependent AC magnetic susceptibility in the topological magnetic materials. The collective knowledge learned from this proposed research would shed light on the understanding of exotic magnetism in topological materials, potentially leading to new physics of magnetism.

A Precise Measurement Of The Lifetime Of B-Mesons, Measurement Of Cp-Violation Parameters Of Bs-Mesons, The Atlas Experiment At The Lhc, And Development Of Silicon Detectors For Future Particle Physics Experiments, Easwar Anand Narayanan

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

A series of connected research projects has been carried out for the purpose of seeking physics phenomena beyond the Standard Model. These consist of a precise measurement of the lifetime of a short-lived b-hadron, the B_d-meson; preparations for measurements of CP-violating parameters in B_s decays; development of triggers that select b-hadron events; development of new instruments for improved precision in detecting fundamental particles; and monitoring and mitigating the effect of radiation on the detectors, which is inescapable in their operating environment. Datasets collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are used for …

Quantum Computation Using Large Spin Qudits, Sivaprasad Thattupurackal Omanakuttan

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

This dissertation explores quantum computation using qudits encoded into large spins, emphasizing the concept of quantum co-design to harness the unique capabilities of physical platforms for enhanced quantum information processing. First, we delve into the generation of high-fidelity universal gate sets for quantum computation with qudits. Leveraging principles from quantum optimal control, Rydberg physics, and the atomic structure of alkaline-earth atoms, we propose protocols for high-fidelity universal gate sets in the ground state of ⁸⁷Sr with reasonable experimental parameters. Next, we analyze schemes to encode a qubit in the large spin qudits for fault-tolerant quantum computation (FTQC). By comprehending …

High Powered Rocket Modification, Joshua Gage

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Rocketry has always been a fun challenge for me. Since not only was I able to learn something new every time I did it, but I was able to do something with my hands as well. One area that has been very challenging for me is how to put a tracker onto a rocket that has no electronics bay. And studying for the L2 Certification tests. And this poster shows my thoughts and process I did to pass my L2 Certification Flight.

Computational Modeling Of Retinal Damage Thresholds, Payton Hoffman, Eos Shapland, Alan Enriquez

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

The Scalable Effects Simulation Environment(SESE), is the computational Biophysics software contracted by Nanohmics we used for our research. The goal was to find the minimum energy necessary to damage the retina from 2 laser sources, a 532 nm He-Ne source, and Supercontinuum Laser(SCL) source at 400-1400nm. We needed a 10 times damage ratio for significance. Our data did not show this trend.

Luminescence And Structural Properties Of Silicon-Germanium Quantum Structures Fabricated By Ion Implantation, Matheus Coelho Adam

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The advancement of semiconductor materials has played a crucial role in driving positive technological breakthroughs that impact humanity in numerous ways. The presence of defects significantly alters the physical properties of semiconductors, making their analysis essential in the fabrication of semiconductor devices. I presented a new method to quantify surface and near-surface defects in single crystal semiconductors. Epitaxially-grown silicon was measured by low energy electron diffraction (LEED) to obtain the surface Debye temperature (θ_D). The results showed the surface θ_D of bulk Si (001), 1.0 μm, and 0.6 μm Si on sapphire of 333 K, 299 K, …

Post-Modeling Adjustments And Delivered Dose Verification Of The 6fff Beam Model Commissioned For The Monaco Treatment Planning System, Grant C. Debevec

LSU Master's Theses

External beam radiation therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment method for tumors and abnormalities of the spine and vertebral region. Treating the spine using a stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) technique can reduce toxicity to the spinal cord. The 6 MV flattening filter free (6FFF) beam model is currently used to plan and calculate dose for SBRT treatment plans, and the treatment plans are delivered using a linear accelerator (LINAC).

The commissioned beam model represents an invariant component of a LINAC. For volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment plans, the multileaf collimator (MLC) positions are changing throughout …

Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee!, Kobe D. Rome

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

By injecting an electron into the empty pie* molecular orbital (LUMO) of Amino Acids in gas phase, we measure the Vertical Attachment Energies (VAEs) for the formation of short-lived anion states of these species using electron transmission spectroscopy (ETS). Our ETS study, a first of its kind to measure the VAE for the simplest of proteins, Glycine-Glycine (Gly-Gly), is currently in progress. Based on our previous measurements for several Amino Acids including Glycine, we expect a common range of attachment energy (1.50 – 2.00 eV) for Gly-Gly.

All-Optical Probes Of Particle-Like Charge Migration Dynamics, Kyle A. Hamer

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Particle-like charge migration (CM) is the coherent, back-and-forth motion of a positively-charged electron hole along the backbone of a molecule following a sudden ionization. CM in small molecules generally occurs on an Angstrom (10^-10 m) spatial scale and an attosecond (10^-18 s) timescale. I use time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) to simulate CM modes in organic molecules, and to explore all-optical probes of this attosecond electron dynamics using high-harmonic spectroscopy (HHS). By leveraging my results from previous studies of two-center interferences in carbon dichalcogens, in which I separated the harmonic signal into contributions from individual Kohn-Sham orbitals, I first …

Igniting Passion:​ A Detailed Journey Through Rocketry Course Activities, Krish M. Patel, Hannah Caycedo, Joshua Gage, Josi Maness, Kevin Park, Mufeng Shen

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

This course is a semester-long adventure in rocketry, led by Dr. Paul Adams. It covers everything about building and flying rockets, starting from the basics to more advanced rocketry. Students learn how to build rockets and use equipment used I payload systems like and altimeter and a GPS. We also learned about the importance of safety involved with building and launching rockets.

A Search For Intermediate-Mass Black Holes In Compact Stellar Systems Through Optical Emissions From Tidal Disruption Events, Richard T. Pomeroy, Mark A. Norris

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Intermediate-mass black holes (IMBH) are expected to exist in globular clusters (GCs) and compact stellar systems (CSS) in general, but none have been conclusively detected. Tidal disruption events (TDEs), where a star is tidally disrupted by the gravitational field of a black hole, have been observed to occur around the supermassive black holes (SMBH) found at the centres of galaxies, and should also arise around IMBHs, especially in the dense stellar cores of CSS's. However, to date none have been observed in such environments. Using data from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) we search for TDEs associated with CSS, but …

Constraints On Metastable Superheavy Dark Matter Coupled To Sterile Neutrinos With The Pierre Auger Observatory, A. Abdul Halim, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, I. Allekotte, K. Almeida Cheminant, A. Almela, B. Fick, K. Nguyen, D. Nitz, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Dark matter particles could be superheavy, provided their lifetime is much longer than the age of the Universe. Using the sensitivity of the Pierre Auger Observatory to ultrahigh energy neutrinos and photons, we constrain a specific extension of the Standard Model of particle physics that meets the lifetime requirement for a superheavy particle by coupling it to a sector of ultralight sterile neutrinos. Our results show that, for a typical dark coupling constant of 0.1, the mixing angle θm between active and sterile neutrinos must satisfy, roughly, θm≲1.5×10-6(MX/109 GeV)-2 for a mass MX of the dark-matter particle between 108 GeV …

Dispersion Of Artificial Tracers In Ventilated Caves, Claudio Pastore, Eric Weber, Frédéric Doumenc, Pierre-Yves Jeannin, Marc Lütscher

International Journal of Speleology

Artificial CO₂ was used as a tracer along ventilated karst conduits to infer airflow and investigate tracer dispersion. In the karst vadose zone, cave ventilation is an efficient mode of transport for heat, gases and aerosols and thus drives the spatial distribution of airborne particles. Modelling this airborne transport requires geometrical and physical parameters of the conduit system, including the cross-sectional areas, the airflow and average air speed, as well as the longitudinal dispersion coefficient which describes the spreading of a solute. Four gauging tests were carried out in one mine (artificial conduit) and two ventilated caves (natural conduits). …

Search For Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals Using Particle Swarm Optimization And Reduced Dimensionality Likelihoods, Xiao-Bo Zou, Soumya Mohanty, Hong-Gang Luo, Yu-Xiao Liu

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) are significant observational targets for spaceborne gravitational wave detectors, namely, LISA, Taiji, and Tianqin, which involve the inspiral of stellar-mass compact objects into massive black holes (MBHs) with a mass range of approximately 104 ∼107𝑀⊙ . EMRIs are estimated to produce long-lived gravitational wave signals with more than 105 cycles before plunge, making them an ideal laboratory for exploring the strong-gravity properties of the spacetimes around the MBHs, stellar dynamics in galactic nuclei, and properties of the MBHs itself. However, the complexity of the waveform model, which involves the superposition of multiple harmonics, as well as the …

Non-Destructive Thickness Uniformity Measurement Of Photosensitive Gelatin Film, Clayton Halper

Physics Capstone Projects

Volume phase holographic gratings (VPHG’s) depend on dichromate gelatin of which uniform thickness is vital. The photosensitive nature of the film makes current thin film measurement devices not viable for production means. This project attempts to create a non-destructive measurement of photosensitive gelatin film used in VPHG production. Application of thin film interference at chosen wavelengths enable analysis of uniformity by comparison between the thin film inference patterns at different wavelengths. An initial proof of concept was established and a path towards a production ready device is outlined.

Effects Of Heterogeneous Data Sets And Time-Lag Measurement Techniques On Cosmological Parameter Constraints From Mg Ii And C Iv Reverberation-Mapped Quasar Data, Shulei Cao, Michal Zajaček, Bożena Czerny, Swayamtrupta Panda, Bharat Ratra

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Previously, we demonstrated that Mg II and C IV reverberation-mapped quasars (RM QSOs) are standardizable and that the cosmological parameters inferred using the broad-line region radius–luminosity (R–L) relation are consistent with those determined from better-established cosmological probes. With more data expected from ongoing and future spectroscopic and photometric surveys, it is imperative to examine how new QSO data sets of varied quality, with their own specific luminosity and time-delay distributions, can be best used to determine more restrictive cosmological parameter constraints. In this study, we test the effect of adding 25 OzDES Mg II RM QSOs as well …

Searching For Optimal Protocols On The Xxz Model On The Square Lattice: An Introduction, Grace Ferrell

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

This paper offers a brief introduction to optimal protocols for variational quantum algorithms on the XXZ model on the square lattice, aimed at introducing the subfield to undergraduate students interested in theoretical quantum computing, especially those involved in similar research projects. I’ve tried to minimize jargon to make it more accessible to student researchers, but it still requires some math background. By simulating the most efficient ways to reach the ground state, future researchers can find patterns that could shed light on how to run large simulations on quantum computers.

Fluorescence Microscopy With Deep Uv, Near Uv, And Visible Excitation For In Situ Detection Of Microorganisms, Noel Case, Nikki Johnston, Jay Nadeau

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

We report a simple, inexpensive design of a fluorescence microscope with light-emitting diode (LED) excitation for detection of labeled and unlabeled microorganisms in mineral substrates. The use of deep UV (DUV) excitation with visible emission requires no specialized optics or slides and can be implemented easily and inexpensively using an oblique illumination geometry. DUV excitation (<280 >nm) is preferable to near UV (365 nm) for avoidance of mineral autofluorescence. When excited with DUV, unpigmented bacteria show two emission peaks: one in the near UV ∼320 nm, corresponding to proteins, and another peak in the blue to green range, corresponding to …

The First Variational Formula, The Phase Space Of Solutions, And The Ostrogradsky Formalism, Matthew Pontius, Drew Watson

Physics Capstone Projects

We consider Lagrangians for classical mechanics which depend upon an arbitrary number of time derivatives of the configuration variables. From the boundary term in the first variation of the Lagrangian we derive the Ostrogradsky formulas which define the Hamiltonian formulation of mechanical systems.

Marie Curie: The Quantum Matriarch, Diptiman Das

Student Publications

Entitled “Marie Curie: The Quantum Matriarch,” this paper illuminates the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Marie Curie, whose groundbreaking work in radioactivity revolutionized the scientific landscape. Born as Maria Skłodowska in the heart of Warsaw, Curie’s odyssey from Poland’s clandestine Flying University to the hallowed halls of Paris’ Sorbonne epitomizes her tenacious quest for enlightenment amidst the shackles of societal norms. In collaboration with her spouse, Pierre Curie, she discovered the elements polonium and radium, thereby introducing the concept of “radioactivity” to the world and securing Nobel accolades in both Physics and Chemistry. This paper ventures into her intimate …

Generation, Dynamics, And Interaction Of Quartic Solitary Waves In Nonlinear Laser Systems, Sabrina Hetzel

Mathematics Theses and Dissertations

Solitons are self-reinforcing localized wave packets that have remarkable stability features that arise from the balanced competition of nonlinear and dispersive effects in the medium. Traditionally, the dominant order of dispersion has been the lowest (second), however in recent years, experimental and theoretical research has shown that high, even order dispersion may lead to novel applications. Here, the focus is on investigating the interplay of dominant quartic (fourth-order) dispersion and the self-phase modulation due to the nonlinear Kerr effect in laser systems. One big factor to consider for experimentalists working in laser systems is the effect of noise on the …

Predicting Biomolecular Properties And Interactions Using Numerical, Statistical And Machine Learning Methods, Elyssa Sliheet

Mathematics Theses and Dissertations

We investigate machine learning and electrostatic methods to predict biophysical properties of proteins, such as solvation energy and protein ligand binding affinity, for the purpose of drug discovery/development. We focus on the Poisson-Boltzmann model and various high performance computing considerations such as parallelization schemes.