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Articles 1 - 12 of 12
Full-Text Articles in Physics
Polarization Of Majorana Fermions In A Background Current, Lukas Karoly, David C. Latimer
Polarization Of Majorana Fermions In A Background Current, Lukas Karoly, David C. Latimer
Summer Research
A Majorana fermion is a particle which is its own antiparticle. As a consequence, their electromagnetic interactions are minimal. Because of this, they are a good candidate for dark matter with their sole static electromagnetic property being their anapole moment. The annihilation rate of Majorana fermions depends on whether their anapole moments are aligned (polarized) or anti-aligned (unpolarized). It is therefore important to understand how Majorana fermions polarize to better understand their annihilation rates. This can help us further understand and detect dark matter. Using Feynman diagrams, we calculate the cross section for the interaction between a Majorana fermion and …
Polarizing Majorana Fermions, William Miyahira
Polarizing Majorana Fermions, William Miyahira
Summer Research
Classically, a spin-1/2 fermion can interact electromagnetically via four methods: its charge, electric and magnetic dipole moments, and anapole moment. One can polarize a collection of these particles, such that their spins align, by applying an external field or current. The particle experiences a torque that aligns its spin with the direction of the applied field or current. A Majorana fermion is a particle that is its own antiparticle, which means that it can only interact with currents via its anapole moment. These particles are natural candidates for dark matter particles given their electromagnetic properties. One could indirectly observe dark …
Gravitational Radiation From A Toroidal Source, Aidan Schumann
Gravitational Radiation From A Toroidal Source, Aidan Schumann
Summer Research
This research uses a linearized form of Einstein's General Relativity to find the quadrupole moment from an oscillating toroidal mass and charge current. With the quadrupole terms, we found the gravitational radiation from the energy distribution. We make the assumptions that we are in the low-energy and far field limits.
Radiation Reaction: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love E&M, Alexander R. Kaufman
Radiation Reaction: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love E&M, Alexander R. Kaufman
Summer Research
Here we present some approaches to understanding the Abraham-Lotentz-Dirac equation and their features. And a behavior found in numerical solutions to the 1-dimensional ALD in a co-moving reference frame for a single charged particle in a Coulombic field.
Bowing Behavior Of Strings With Non-Uniform Mass Density, Andrew J. Brandt
Bowing Behavior Of Strings With Non-Uniform Mass Density, Andrew J. Brandt
Summer Research
An investigation into the behavior of non-uniform strings when bowed while varying bowing position and force applied to map the minimum force curve on the Schelleng diagram. Strings investigated include uniform, cosinusoidal variation, and impedance discontinuity strings.
The Acoustics Of Harmon Mutes, Zachary T. Armstrong
The Acoustics Of Harmon Mutes, Zachary T. Armstrong
Summer Research
The acoustic properties of trumpets have been studied thoroughly, but little to no previous work has been done regarding the acoustics of trumpet mutes. Harmon mutes have a distinctively "buzzy" sound when they are used in performance and it is the opinion of a large number of trumpet players who use Harmon mutes that they should be dented before they are used in performance. The work presented here is an attempt to determine the acoustical properties of Harmon mutes and how they change when the mute is dented. If Harmon mutes are better understood, then a more informed decision as …
Vibrational Patterns In Curved Metal Plates, Samuel D. Berling
Vibrational Patterns In Curved Metal Plates, Samuel D. Berling
Summer Research
This summer, I investigated the factors affecting the vibrational patterns of curved metal plates. This research was inspired by the musical saw instrument which is played by bending a large handsaw into an s-curve and then bowing it like a violin. In our results, we identified the local confinement of the vibrational patterns due to the plate's curvature, the variation of resonant frequencies due to the geometry of the plate, and we determined that the stress in the metal created by bending the plate into its shape has a negligible effect on the resonant frequencies.
Scattering Of A Point-Like Anapole, Kyle Whitcomb
Scattering Of A Point-Like Anapole, Kyle Whitcomb
Summer Research
Majorana fermions, being elementary particles with half-integer spin which are their own antiparticle, are a hypothetical class of particle that are not currently in the Standard Model of particle physics. This research investigates the properties of Majorana fermions by calculating the scattering angle due to electromagnetic interactions between Majorana fermions and electrons. Since Majorana fermions interact solely via an electromagnetic term called the anapole moment, which is relatively weak compared to other terms, this problem was solved in the framework of quantum electrodynamics modeling the Majorana fermion as a point-like anapole. Additionally, since there is no restriction on the mass …
Observations Of Quantized Conductance Over Nanowires, Nick Davenport
Observations Of Quantized Conductance Over Nanowires, Nick Davenport
Summer Research
Nanowires are conductive wires that have a constrictive width that is only a few atoms across. Scientists are just now starting to look deeper into the properties of nanowires and how they can be useful in the construction of nanostructures. In order to gain a better understanding the properties of nanowires, I will be conducting an experiment that examines how the diameter of the wire compares with its electrical conductive properties, once the wire has been etched down to an atomic level. This process involves using a very controlled method of creating a nanowire. I can use a dilute nitric …
Experimental And Numerical Analysis Of Coupling Between Musical Drumheads, Ben Boe
Experimental And Numerical Analysis Of Coupling Between Musical Drumheads, Ben Boe
Summer Research
The low frequency vibrations of two-headed musical drums are known to couple. However, little is known regarding the factors that determine the degree of coupling at higher frequencies. In this study the effects that depth, diameter and head tension have on the tendency of the drumheads to couple are investigated. Commercial finite element software was used to model a wide range of drums and to identify trends of coupling according to these factors. The numerical results were used to guide which parameters should be tested in the lab. Experimentally, two oppositely facing Electronic Speckle-Pattern Interferometry systems were used to optically …
The Propagation Of Light Through Dark Matter, Audrey Kvam
The Propagation Of Light Through Dark Matter, Audrey Kvam
Summer Research
A concordance of observations indicates that around 80% of the matter in the universe is some unknown dark matter. This dark matter could be comprised of a single structureless particle, but much richer theories exist. Signals from the DAMA, CoGeNT, and CDMS-II dark matter detectors along with the non-observation of dark matter by other detectors motivate theories of composite dark matter along with a “dark” electromagnetic sector. The composite models propose baryon-like or atom-like dark matter. If photons kinetically mix with the “dark” photons, then light traveling through dark matter will experience dispersion. We expect the dispersion to be approximated …
Modeling And Tuning Of Musical Percussive Beams, Eric Laukkanen
Modeling And Tuning Of Musical Percussive Beams, Eric Laukkanen
Summer Research
Standard vibraphone bars consist of aluminum beams which are traditionally tuned with an arched undercut, for the purpose of aligning the musical overtones harmonically. The acoustical effect of various progressions of undercuts on aluminum bars was studied using both an aluminum bar and a finite element computer model. The spectral signature of the aluminum bar was examined with a spectrum analyzer, and the corresponding eigenmodes were imaged with an electronic speckle pattern interferometer. These methods were used to analyze the changes in natural frequencies of the bar as matter was removed from various locations. Additionally, the aural character of each …