Physics Commons^™

Enhanced Quantum Chemistry With Machine Learning, Brock Dyer

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

This file is a catalogue of the relevant quantum mechanical and computer programming topics that I learned during the summer which will be helping me to generate an artificial intelligence that will be able to perform computational chemical calculations at a much faster rate and comparable or better accuracy than current methods.

Improving The Efficiency Of Liquid-Hydrogen Simulation Via Event Storage, Jake Kosa

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

We contributed to the analysis of gamma-ray spectroscopy data collected at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University by speeding up the UCGretina simulation code, used in the analysis and planning of experiments. Simulating beam-target interactions in a liquid-hydrogen target system is a time intensive task, even when parallelized. In the process of analyzing data, a large number of simulations must be run for different gamma-ray energies, target positions, and lifetimes of excited states. We are addressing the most computationally intensive component of the simulations by adding the ability to simulate a large sample of beam particles …

Applying Bioactive Glass Beads For Long-Term Drug Delivery, Marie O. Sykes, Rashi Sharma

Physics and Astronomy Presentations

Bioactive glass beads have been used to distribute medicine over extended periods of time in limited uses. They can be engineered to have a porous and hollow structure, and using Mo-Sci's OL-GL 1756b (1756b), the fundamental notion of dosage distribution can be tested in preparation to design the optimal glass for medicine distribution. A few key factors in this is how long does it take the liquid to release from the beads, how do the beads decay, and how well the glass can bond to human tissue. This research demonstrates the capacities of the 1756b type as a promising start …

Resonant Energy Exchange In Ultracold Rydberg Atoms, Samantha Grubb, Alan Okinaka

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Ultracold Rydberg atoms serve as good systems in which resonant dipole-dipole interactions can be observed. The goal of our work is to design a simulation in which energy exchange among many nearly evenly spaced energy levels is observed. These observations are useful for understanding the time evolution of complicated quantum systems, and have applications in quantum computing and simulating. We are utilizing a supercomputer to run our simulation as well as studying the system experimentally. Once we obtain simulated results, we plan to compare them with the results obtained in a lab.

Automatic Data Aggregation To Assist In The Systematic Classification Of Small Lunar Craters, Liam Powers

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Crater counting has been one of the dominant methods of characterizing surfaces of planetary bodies in the absence of material samples. Unfortunately, counts often rely on the subjective expertise of the counter, which limits the volume of reliable data that is accessible to researchers. Our work seeks to develop a quantifiable method of classifying individual craters within a count population to better determine a given crater’s age and origin. Recommendations are then generated in order to increase the accuracy of human counters, and improve the efficiency of the counting process. Preliminary work on the Moon uses LRO LOLA elevation data, …

Advancement In Infrared Optics Through The Exploration Of Solution Derived Arsenic Selenide (As2se3) Thin Films, Annabella Orsini

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

There are great opportunities for advancement in the realm of infrared (IR) optics through the use of chalcogenide glasses (ChGs). The development of IR optics using ChGs is important for applications in search and rescue operations, firefighting efforts, medical imaging, and satellites. Instead of creating bulky, expensive, single crystal IR glasses, ChGs can be deposited as thin films by solution derived (SD) spin or dip coating. Our research takes a multidisciplinary approach to investigate ChGs thin films using physics, chemistry, optics, and materials science.

54fe(D,P)55fe Single Neutron Transfer Presentation, Matthew Quirin, Raymond Saunders

Physics and Astronomy Presentations

During our summer research at the John D Fox Laboratory, we used the 9 MV Tandem van de Graaff accelerator and the Super Enge Split-Pole Spectrograph to make measurements of the neutron transfer reaction 54Fe(d,p) 55Fe to observe and explore excited states of 55Fe and shell structure beyond the magic number N=28. We have created momentum spectra and angular distribution plots of the protons from the reaction which will be analyzed to determine the angular momentum values of states and single-neutron energies in 55Fe in an effort to better understand nuclear structure.

54fe(D,P)55fe Single Neutron Transfer, Matthew Quirin, Raymond Saunders

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

During our summer research at the John D Fox Laboratory, we used the 9 MV Tandem van de Graaff accelerator and the Super Enge Split-Pole Spectrograph to make measurements of the neutron transfer reaction 54Fe(d,p) 55Fe to observe and explore excited states of 55Fe and shell structure beyond the magic number N=28. We have created momentum spectra and angular distribution plots of the protons from the reaction which will be analyzed to determine the angular momentum values of states and single-neutron energies in 55Fe in an effort to better understand nuclear structure.

Single-Neutron Transfer To 50ti, Jessica Nebel-Crosson

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

This is a continuation of the data analysis of a neutron-transfer reaction with ⁵⁰Ti, in which the data was collected in 2019 and this analysis focuses on automating the calibration and peak fits for the generated spectra. Future work will continue with producing angular distributions for the rest of the excitation states and further analyzation in order to draw conclusions about single-neutron state structures.

Many Body Localization With Rydberg Atoms, Alicia Handian

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Systems are known to thermalize, or reach equilibrium, with the passing of time. However, when this does not occur, the quantum states of the system may be localized. Localized states carry information of the system’s initial state that is typically lost during the process of thermalization. We aim to study thermalization and localization in systems of rubidium Rydberg atoms, and to further understand these phenomena via simulation while we are developing a more refined experiment.

Processing And Characterization Of Spin-Coated As2s3 Films For Direct Laser Writing, Mia Truman

Physics and Astronomy Presentations

Diffraction gratings, waveguides, and resonators are components of photonic devices that can be fabricated using chalcogenide glasses. These chalcogenide components can be made through a process of direct laser writing and etching to reveal targeted structures on the surface of the films. Thermal deposition in combination with targeted laser irradiation has been used on As₂S₃ films with excellent results, but spin-coating as a method of deposition has been less explored. Spin-Coating is a relatively inexpensive procedure where a bulk glass is dissolved into a solution using amines and “spun” onto a substrate. This is a low-cost alternative …

Time Dependence Of Few-Body Forster Interactions Among Ultracold Rydberg Atoms, Zhimin Cheryl Liu, Nina P. Inman, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Rubidium Rydberg atoms in either |m_j| sublevel of the 36p_3/2 state can exchange energy via Stark-tuned Förster resonances, including two-, three-, and four-body dipole-dipole interactions. Three-body interactions of this type were first reported and categorized by Faoro et al. [Nat. Commun. 6, 8173 (2015)] and their Borromean nature was confirmed by Tretyakov et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 173402 (2017)]. We report the time dependence of the N-body Förster resonance N×36p_3/2,|mj|=1/2→36s_1/2+37s_1/2+(N−2)×36p_3/2,|mj|=3/2, for N=2, 3, …

Perturbed Field Ionization For Improved State Selectivity, Vincent C. Gregoric, Jason Bennett, Bianca R. Gualtieri, Hannah P. Hastings, Ankitha Kannad, Zhimin Cheryl Liu, Maia R. Rabinowitz, Zoe A. Rowley, Maio Wang, Lauren Yoast, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Selective field ionization (SFI) is used to determine the state or distribution of states to which a Rydberg atom is excited. By evolving a small perturbation to the ramped electric field using a genetic algorithm, the shape of the time-resolved ionization signal can be controlled. This allows for the separation of signals from pairs of states that would be indistinguishable with unperturbed SFI. Measurements and calculations are presented that demonstrate this technique and shed light on how the perturbation directs the pathway of the electron to ionization. Pseudocode for the genetic algorithm is provided. Using the improved resolution afforded by …

Single-Neutron States In Titanium Isotopes, Jessica Nebel-Crosson

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Current theory regarding the collective behavior of exotic nuclei systematically over-predicts the probabilities of exciting those collective states. The theory lacks any adjustable parameters, however, the model inputs are characteristics of single particle states which we are attempting to verify through neutron transfer into a ⁵⁰Ti target.

Improving Simulations Of The Gretina Gamma-Ray Tracking Array, Esther Lawson-John

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

The GRETINA gamma-ray tracking array is an array of gamma-ray detectors that is being used by the nuclear structure community physicists to analyze properties of atomic nuclei. The problem is that when we compare measurements to simulations we see that the simulation is more efficient than the real array. This led us to investigate the size and shape of inactive volumes in the detectors by comparing our simulations with measurements made at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with a pencil beam of gamma rays in order to improve our model of the detectors. Upon investigating these different avenues, the aim is …

Games: Glass And Materials Science To Engage Students, M. A. Liggett, Kateryna Swan

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Materials science is the study of the properties of matter and its applications in optics, chemistry, physics, and civil, electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering. The broad field of materials science and the complex ideas that can be included in it are typically introduced into formal education at the college level, but recently there has been a push for younger students to also have exposure to materials science. In this project, we used the techniques demonstrated in First Physics to expose students, ages 9-15, to materials science. Our hypothesis was that by using these techniques, higher level concepts can be broken …

Improving The State Selectivity Of Field Ionization With Quantum Control, Vincent C. Gregoric, Jason Bennett, Bianca R. Gualtieri, Ankitha Kannad, Zhimin Cheryl Liu, Zoe A. Rowley, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The electron signals from the field ionization of two closely spaced Rydberg states of rubidium-85 are separated using quantum control. In selective field ionization, the state distribution of a collection of Rydberg atoms is measured by ionizing the atoms with a ramped electric field. Generally, atoms in higher energy states ionize at lower fields, so ionized electrons which are detected earlier in time can be correlated with higher energy Rydberg states. However, the resolution of this technique is limited by the Stark effect. As the electric field is increased, the electron encounters numerous avoided Stark level crossings which split the …

Catalysis Of Stark-Tuned Interactions Between Ultracold Rydberg Atoms, A. L. Win, W. D. Williams, Thomas J. Carroll, C. I. Sukenik

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We have experimentally investigated a catalysis effect in the resonant energy transfer between ultracold 85Rb Rydberg atoms. We studied the time dependence of the process, 34p + 34p → 34s + 35s, and observed an enhancement of 34s state population when 34d state atoms are added.We have also performed numerical model simulations, which are in qualitative agreement with experiment and indicate that the enhancement arises from a redistribution of p-state atoms due to the presence of the d-state atoms.

Inverse-Kinematics Proton Scattering On 42s, Lisa M. Skiles

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Following an experiment at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University (NSCL), we discuss preliminary analysis and results for excited states of the isotope ⁴²S populated via inverse-kinematics proton scattering. The experiment was conducted with the NSCL/Ursinus College hydrogen target and the GRETINA gamma-ray tracking array. We report the proton-scattering deformation length of the 2⁺₁ excitation in ⁴²S and compare our results with other neutron-rich sulfur isotopes.

Inverse-Kinematics Proton Scattering On 44s, Max A. Liggett

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Using data from a 2016 experiment that took place at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) in Michigan State University, we study the excited states of ⁴⁴S using the NSCL / Ursinus College liquid hydrogen target and the Gretina gamma-ray tracking array. I will discuss the results in the context of similar experiments on neutron-rich sulfur isotopes.

Investigation Of Spin And Dip-Coating Phase Change Chalcogenide Materials As A Novel Technique For Coating And Functionalizing Conformal Optics, Paul Vecchio

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Chalcogenide glasses (ChGs) have excellent infrared (IR) transparency ranging up to 20 μm, large nonlinear refractive indices, and tailorable thermo-optic coefficients (dn/dT) that have great potential for applications in detectors, sensors, waveguides, imaging devices, photonic waveguides, acousto-optics, and optical devices. Spin and dip coating ChGs from solution is a low-cost, simple, and scalable method for depositing films over a large area. In this study, we utilize the novel approach of spin and dip coating to create thin ChG films of arsenic trisulfide (As₂S₃) and arsenic selenide (As₂Se₃). To realize the full potential …

Detecting Rydberg Interactions With Controlled Ionization, Lauren Yoast

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Rydberg atoms, which have a highly excited outer electron, are easily manipulated by electric fields. Using a magneto-optical trap, we cool Rubidium atoms to a few hundred millionths of a Kelvin above absolute zero and then excite to Rydberg states. Our first project looks at the dipole-dipole interactions of two atoms starting in the 33p state and ending in the 34s and 33s states. The standard technique is to apply an increasing electric field that ionizes the Rydberg electron and sends it to a detector, but unfortunately the signals overlap. A genetic algorithm is used to separate the signals by …

Quantum Control Via A Genetic Algorithm Of The Field Ionization Pathway Of A Rydberg Electron, Vincent C. Gregoric, Xinyue Kang, Zhimin Cheryl Liu, Zoe A. Rowley, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Quantum control of the pathway along which a Rydberg electron field ionizes is experimentally and computationally demonstrated. Selective field ionization is typically done with a slowly rising electric field pulse. The (1/n^*)⁴ scaling of the classical ionization threshold leads to a rough mapping between arrival time of the electron signal and principal quantum number of the Rydberg electron. This is complicated by the many avoided level crossings that the electron must traverse on the way to ionization, which in general leads to broadening of the time-resolved field ionization signal. In order to control the ionization pathway, thus …

Inverse-Kinematics Proton Scattering On 43p, Lisa M. Skiles

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Following an experiment at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University in October 2016, we study the excited states of the neutron-rich isotope 43P via inverse-kinematic proton scattering with the GRETINA y-ray tracking array. We will discuss preliminary analysis and results, including measured cross sections for populating excited states of 43P.

Engineering Electron Superpositions Using A Magnetic Field, Zoe A. Rowley, Bianca R. Gualtieri

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

A Rydberg atom has a highly excited valence electron which is weakly bound and far from the nucleus. These atoms have exaggerated properties that make them attractive candidates for quantum computation and studies of fundamental quantum mechanics. The discrete energy levels of Rydberg atoms are shifted in the presence of an electric field by the Stark effect and are similarly shifted due to a magnetic field by the Zeeman effect. These effects couple the energy levels together, creating avoiding crossings. At these avoided crossings, an electron in one energy level can jump to the other.

Our goal is to be …

Optimizing An Electron's Path To Ionization Using A Genetic Algorithm, Jason Bennett, Kevin Choice

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

A Rydberg atom is an atom with a highly excited and weakly bound valence electron. A widespread method of studying quantum mechanics with Rydberg atoms is to ionize the electron and measure its arrival time. We use a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to control the electron's path to ionization. The Rydberg electron's energy levels are strongly shifted by the presence of an electric field. The energy levels shift and curve, but never cross. At an avoided crossing the electron can jump from one level to the next. By engineering the electric field's time dependence, we thereby control the path to ionization. …

Inverse Kinematics Proton Scattering Of P41, Benjamin R. Klybor

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

We have measured the gamma-ray spectrum of P41 using proton scattering in inverse kinematics with the NSCL/Ursinus College liquid hydrogen target and the GRETINA gamma-ray tracking array. We present preliminary results, including gamma-ray intensities and branching ratios.

Returning Thermal Advantage Instrument’S Dsc 2920 And Sdt 2960 To Functioning Order, Ethan B. Haldeman

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Thermal Advantage (TA) Instruments DSC 2920 and SDT 2960 require a computer running Windows NT 2000 and an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) expansion card to output and record data. Due to the lack of availability for this older software and hardware, a virtual machine running Windows NT 2000, using Oracle VM VirtualBox as the virtualization software, and a GPIB-USB-SH converter were used to allow a modern computer to interface with the DSC an SDT. The Windows NT virtual machine ran the necessary TA software to communicate with the DSC and SDT and USB pass-through was used to allow the virtual …

Simulations Of The Angular Dependence Of The Dipole-Dipole Interaction Among Rydberg Atoms, Jacob L. Bigelow, Jacob T. Paul, Matan Peleg, Veronica L. Sanford, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The dipole-dipole interaction between two Rydberg atoms depends on the relative orientation of the atoms and on the change in the magnetic quantum number. We simulate the effect of this anisotropy on the energy transport in an amorphous many atom system subject to a homogeneous applied electric field. We consider two experimentally feasible geometries and find that the effects should be measurable in current generation imaging experiments. In both geometries atoms of p character are localized to a small region of space which is immersed in a larger region that is filled with atoms of s character. Energy transfer due …

Quantum Interference In The Field Ionization Of Rydberg Atoms, Rachel Feynman, Jacob A. Hollingsworth, Michael Vennettilli, Tamas Budner, Ryan Zmiewski, Donald P. Fahey, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We excite ultracold rubidium atoms in a magneto-optical trap to a coherent superposition of the three |mj | sublevels of the 37d5/2 Rydberg state. After some delay, during which the relative phases of the superposition components can evolve, we apply an electric field pulse to ionize the Rydberg electron and send it to a detector. The electron traverses many avoided crossings in the Stark levels as it ionizes. The net effect of the transitions at these crossings is to mix the amplitudes of the initial superposition into the same final states at ionization. Similar to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the three …