Physics Senior Thesis Projects (PHYS 499W)

Senior Thesis Guidelines

Senior Thesis Template

Spring 2009

The faculty listed below anticipate having senior thesis projects for the Summer 2007 semester. Please contact the person with whom you would like to work in order to discuss details of the project. Do not simply sign up for Physics 499W before speaking to a faculty member.  An individual call number will be assigned for each faculty member.

If you would like to work with a professor not listed below, please contact the professor directly to see if any additional projects are available.

• Prof. Charles Sukenik
• Prof. Declan De Paor
  • Project 1: "Modeling the Lunar Crust and Mantle Using Virtual Globe Technology"
    • The Moon has been mapped remotely using satellite imagery and on the ground where Apollo missions landed in the 1960s and 1970s. Geophysical analysis reveals a planet-like body with a crust, mantle, and anomalously small core. The Moon is highly anisotropic, with a dense concentration of mare basins on the side facing Earth and a thick mass of crustal highlands on the far side. In summer 2009, Prof Declan De Paor and graduate student Mladen Dordevic propose to create interactive three dimensional models of these geophysical features using the Google Earth virtual globe and Keyhole Markup Language. We seek an undergraduate research assistant to help with development of the models. Results will be presented at planned conference presentations to the America Geophysical Union and the undergraduate RA will be included as a co-author ass appropriate.
  • Project 2: "Modeling Mantle Plumes on Mars Using Virtual Globe Technology"
    • Mars and Earth differ in size and distance from the sun resulting in dramatically different surficial and crustal processes. Earth's evolution is dominated by plate tectonics with relatively minor contributions from deep mantle plumes such as those underlying Hawaii, Yellowstone, and Iceland. In contrast, the dominant mode of mantle cooling on Mars has been through plume tectonics, resulting in colossal volcanic structures such as Olympus Mons. In summer 2009, Prof Declan De Paor and graduate student Mladen Dordevic propose to build the first ever three-dimensional lithospheric model of the Tharsis region of Mars using the Google Earth virtual globe and we seek the assistance of a senior thesis student. If you undertake this research project, you will learn how to create scientifically accurate Collada models of planetary interiors and your name will be included in planned conference presentations to the America Geophysical Union.
• Prof. Des Cook
• Prof. Gail Dodge
  • "Drift Chambers for Jefferson Lab"
    • Summer: We have an opening for a student to work in the experimental nuclear physics group to work on the design and prototyping of the Region 1 drift chamber that will be built as part of the proposed CLAS12 detector in Hall B of Jefferson Lab. Summer work would include surface conductivity tests on a prototype drift chamber endplate and working with existing small drift chambers. The student would learn about experimental nuclear physics, particle detectors and perhaps data acquisition software. The student does not necessarily need to drive to Jefferson Lab. In the fall we will continuing with the same project by building a clean room and preparing for constructionof the Region 2 Drift Chambers.
• Dr. Hari Areti
  • "Performance Studies of SRF Cavities"
    • Vast amount of data have been accumulated on elliptical Superconducting Radio Frequency Cavities which have been cleaned using modern techniques, such as high pressure rinsing. The data are likely to be representative of the underlying surface, rather than surface contamination. It is reasonable to evaluate the data to look for trends, and to evaluate similarities and fundamental differences between different materials and chemical etching techniques. The typical way of evaluating cavity data is to plot the logarithm of the cavity Q against the accelerating gradient. which de-emphasizes the changes in Q which starts to occur at gradients significantly below the maximum. The first step is to convert the Q value to the surface resistance ρ = G/Q, where G, the cavity gradient factor, is between 700 and 1100 for typical elliptical cavities. The second conversion has two possibilities, relating the accelerating gradient to either the peak magnetic field or the peak electric field. The ratio Epeak/Eacc is between 2 and 4 for most elliptical cavities. The ratio Hpeak/EAcc is between 3 and 5 mTesla/MV. Comparison of data from many cavity shapes which are made of the same material and processed in the same way enables us to determine whether the peak electric or magnetic field is most important.
• Prof. Mark Havey
  • Analysis of rotational and vibrational spectra for diatomic lithium  helium molecules. Goals:  learn the basic physics of diatomic molecular spectroscopy and how to analyze the spectra to obtain information on the molecular interaction potential energy.
• Prof. Sebastian Kuhn
  • "Performance of a Radical Time Projection Chamber"