BOOK REVIEW Staff undergraduate Editor-in-Chief BRIAN GREENE James Stankowicz physics The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality Layout Director George CB Ling newsletter Brian Greene is a string theorist The final part of the book focuses Volume VI, Issue #1, September 2008 U P at Colombia University. His first on the experimental efforts (with Online Editor UP News Online: http://www.phys.ufl.edu/~upnews general public book, The Elegant many references to the LHC) Universe, was a Pulitzer Prize ongoing, the possibility of time Harold Rodriguez finalist, and served as the basis travel, and what might be waiting Production Manager as we delve ever further down LARGE HADRON who we are for a three hour PBS TV program Steven Hochman of the same name. into the fabric of reality. Assistant Editor COLLIDER UNVEILED! The Fabric of the Cosmos in some As The Fabric of the Cosmos is UP is a monthly undergraduate Alicia Swift It’s the world’s biggest and most in huge caves, track and analyze ways picks up where The Elegant written for the general public, physics newsletter sponsored ambitious scientific experiment exactly what happens. With more there are no mathematical Universe left off, but it is also a Staff Writers in human history. From revealing than 600 million collisions every by the University of Florida’s stand-alone book that doesn’t formulas in the main text, Arthur Ianuzzi what happened in the moments second, staggering volumes of chapter of the Society of Physics require any knowledge of The although the notes in the back of Bryce Bolin after the Big Bang, to probing the data are generated, hundreds of Elegant Universe. the book do on occasion contain Daniel Bannoura fundamental nature of matter, the megabytes every second. In fact, Students, for students, by mathematics. While it is not very Victor Albert Large Hadron Collider could unlock there is so much data, that a brand students. We seek to strengthen The book is partitioned into fifths. exciting to sit there and read the secrets of the universe. The new network computing system, the undergraduate physics by James Stankowicz by The first section focuses on (for instance) for the billionth Faculty Advisor vast facility straddles the border of the Grid, is being used to connect “Reality’s Arena,” where the basic time about how electrons are Dr. Amlan Biswas Switzerland and France. From the computing centers all over the community at the University of arguments for absolute versus both waves and particles, Greene Daniel Bannoura globe for data Florida by providing a forum for relative space are laid out, and presents most of the material an m o n i t o r i n g undergraduates to share their spacetime (including special and undergraduate physics major is and analyses. by general relativity) and quantum likely to have already encountered CALL FOR WRITERS views and experiences with each mechanics are explained. In in a very exciting and novel way. UPNews is always looking for One hundred other and to act as a source of section two, Greene focuses on For instance, Greene in several undergraduates who want to m e t e r s beneath information for opportunities and the arrow of time, with particular situations uses characters or contribute. If you’d like to get emphasis on entropy which he places from the Simpsons to the French events in physics. involved, e-mail us at develops into a statistical concept. exemplify physics. For someone countryside Part three moves on to cosmology, with a physics background, it’s a [email protected] in an where Greene discusses such good deal of fun seeing how the γ’s underground Visit Department things as symmetry, the and t’s and x’s and v’s from modern laboratory is located one inflationary model, the big bang physics translate into Bart’s and The Fabric of the Cosmos, though Coffee Time important part and its relation to the arrow of Lisa’s world. On the other hand, a little lengthy at just under 500 Tuesdays & Thursdays of the LHC, 3-4pm in NPB 2205 time, dark matter, and the Higgs in areas where an undergraduate pages and a little bit slow moving the Compact field. For the string theorist fans, is not as experienced (for instance particularly in the first few Muon Professors, staff, and part four is what you’re looking in 6-dimensional Calabai-Yau chapters, is a very good example experiment. students are all invited! for. Here Greene explains the manifolds), Greene writes with of a top-rate scientist writing for One of the Coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and history of the theory, illustrates intoxicating excitement about the non-professional public, and tasks of the how it can be used to unite each topic, and again, by using it is also an excellent way for surface, you see hardly anything CMS is to hunt for one of the Holy cookies only 50 cents quantum mechanics and gravity cultural references, makes it undergrads to get a feel for the because this 27 kilometer long Grails of modern Physics: the Higgs (what is now a nearly century-old almost natural to imagine Homer kinds of things going on at the (26,659 meters, to be exact) Boson, or so called “God particle”. problem), and explains how extra being connected via wormhole to cutting edge of high energy and machine is buried deep underground. The Higgs, named for Peter what’sin this UP issue dimensions fit into the picture. the Kwik-E-Mart. astrophysics. Building it required extraordinary Higgs by Peter Higgs, may be the feats of engineering. It cost billions mechanism which gives mass to of dollars and involved thousands of particles. The detector will also be Front scientists from a hundred countries used to investigate a wide range of LHC CONTINUED FROM FRONT around the world. The Large Hadron physics like extra dimensions, and Large Hadron Collider! extraordinary UF faculty and trigger for this system. Professor We are very excited about the Collider works by firing particles into particles that could make up dark students working on the CMS Paul Avery helped established the LHC over here (with the exception a series of accelerators, propelling matter. Yes, you heard me right. Inside experiment. LHC Grid computing model in the US of some theorists), and we hope them to almost the speed of light, It’s true! Condensed Matter Physics and is the head of the UF US-CMS you are excited as well. Although and boosting them to massive Professor Mitselmakher led the Tier-2 center, one of seven such Stephen Hawking is betting $100 levels of energy. Two beams of Of course, a school like ours, and What’s Happening with SPS development of the endcap muon sites in the US. I know it sounds that we will not be able to find the the particles ascend in opposite an astounding department like Professor Spotlight detection system. Professor Korytov like gibberish, but if you want to Higgs particle, our professors and directions, entering the tunnel, and this, just has to have a piece of was responsible for managing the learn more, all you have to do is students will be pretty busy for the hurtling around the tubes 11,000 that Nobel-prize kind of cake. Because Gator Dining Sucks design and construction of the 468 go on Wikipedia or simply catch next few years analyzing data and times every single second. They Ardent and proficient professors, Cathode Strip Chambers for the one of our esteemed professors on producing evidence and answers are forced to collide, and when like Guenakh Mitselmakher, Back endcap muon system. As for the campus before they fly to Geneva to the key questions about the they do, they release enormous Darin Acosta, and Andry Korytov, ever-charming Professor Acosta, sometime this week…and every running of the universe, how it amounts of energy which could are manning a group of 30 Book Review he was responsible for the design other week. functions, and where it all came unearth new clues about the laws of and construction of the track-finder from. Solid! physics. Giant detectors, positioned CONTINUED ON BACK Back Undergraduate Physics Newsletter - September 2008 © 2008 UP Newsletter Undergraduate Physics Newsletter - September 2008 Front Professor Spotlight Spotlight on Science CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS DR. HO-BUN CHAN Throughout the last 100 years, scientists study large-scale structure (the study of UPNews: Where were you born? and had to learn a new set of skills. channel the incoming optical energy Ho-Bun Chan: I was born in Hong These devices are small, movable to specific and localized positions. science has fragmented into a interactions between atoms electrons and how they Kong. It is now part of China. structures fabricated on a silicon wafer, We put additional structure at these mess of various disciplines, and systems of atoms. Good behave in large systems). using processes similar to computer locations to maximize the interaction most of which overlap each examples would be properties UP: Where did you go to school? chip manufacturing. They make use of the optical field and the mechanical other. This section attempts for which you generally have There are of course theoretical HC: I came to the US to do my of the mechanical properties of silicon structure. to clear up and organize the a lot of atoms, like crystals and experimental branches undergrad degree at Princeton. I instead of the electrical properties. majored in physics and also have a The silicon structures are capable UP: What are your thoughts on various scientific kingdoms or paramagnetism. So, when of condensed matter certificate in engineering physics. Then of motion and are used in various teaching? and phylums, one topic at a you’re not specifically looking physics. Additionally, there I went to MIT for graduate school. sensors and actuators. HC: I try to be thorough in explaining time. This is only an attempt, at one “atom” or “molecule,” is an applied cousin called the concepts in classes. I give as the distinctions among you’re studying “matter.” materials science and UP: What was your doctoral thesis, UP: Can you tell me a bit about your examples to illustrate the relevance the fields are almost always engineering. The difference and how much work was it? research? of the material whenever I can. debatable. This month we deal Condensed matter started out between condensed matter HC: My PhD thesis was on tunneling HC: I have many projects involving Teaching is fulfilling when I see that Albert Victor by spectroscopy of two dimensional micromechanical devices. My group the students are making an effort to with the complicated world of as solid-state theory, but then experimentalists and systems. These are electrons uses them as sensitive detectors, such learn, and I am happy to help. condensed matter physics. scientists figured out that a materials engineers is the confined to move in two dimensions as in measurement of Casimir forces lot of the things they were former are trying to discover by Steven Hochman Steven by in semiconductors. They exhibit that arise from zero point fluctuations UP: Who are your graduate students Condensed matter physics studying for solids also worked a material and analyze its quantum Hall effect in a perpendicular of the electromagnetic field, and in and undergrad researchers? magnetic field and other phenomena micromechanical magnetometers for HC: I have 5 graduate students is the largest branch of for liquids. As a result, solid- properties, while the latter are due to electron electron interaction measuring the magnetization of very and 1 undergrad working in my physics, mostly because it state physics, the study of trying to perfect that material when the density is low. Most people small samples in the highest magnetic lab. Yiliang Bao works on the is an umbrella field for a lot rigid matter such as crystals, and apply its properties for study the transport by flowing a current fields. We also look into ways to Casimir force measurement. Corey of different subfields, all of is now only a branch of industrial applications. As you in the plane of the 2D system, while improve the capability and increase Stambaugh studies fluctuation which have vast applications condensed matter. Solid-state might have guessed, materials injected the current perpendicular to the sensitivity of micromechanical induced switching in driven nonlinear the plane. devices. For example, we perform oscillators. Kostantinois Ninios makes in engineering. Condensed generally deals with two major science and condensed experiments on the fluctuation induced micromechanical magnetometers. matter physics is the study structures: crystal lattices matter physics are almost the UP: What did you do after you received switching in nonlinear oscillators with Zsolt Marcet investigates evanescent of macroscopic properties of (periodic structures like salt same field, but the people in your Ph.D? multiple stable states. We fabricate field coupling in subwavelength matter. “Condensed” stands or diamond) or amorphous it are introduced to the field HC: I became a postdoc at Bell Labs, structures on the surface of metallic metallic structures. Jie Zou is for any matter where the crystals (structures that do from two different angles. Lucent Technologies. I changed my films that are smaller than the looking at new detection schemes in subject to micromechanical systems wavelength of light. These structures nanomechanical oscillators. interactions between particles not have periodicity). Other Similar to mathematicians are strong, i.e. liquids and structures include polymers, and physicists working solids. The “matter” is to quantum nanocrystals, and together in mathematical distinguish this field from nanotubes because all of these physics, engineers with SPS INFORMATION studies that deal with single very interesting properties. materials science degrees This year SPS is starting a new help out, just let us know. If you are fortunate enough to have atoms and molecules, such as These topics greatly overlap and physicists with condensed mentoring program. Studying the exciting experience of taking the “atomic” physics or “molecular” with other fields, including matter degrees work side-by- physics can be a daunting process We’ll also be having some exciting GRE Physics Subject Exam, you’ll chemistry. As opposed to nanoscience (the study of side in order to discover novel at times. Combine this with the ROFU and REU meetings throughout want to check this out. Meetings will those fields, condensed matter small things) and electronic materials. challenges of navigating around the Fall semester. ROFU (Research be held on Thursdays at 6:00pm such a large university, and even the Opportunities For Undergraduates) and Sundays at 2:00pm – location most hard-core students will become is a great way to find out about to be announced. The program will overwhelmed from time to time. To research that undergraduates can run from now until the last exam ...BECAUSE GATOR DINING SUCKS address this issue, SPS now offers get involved with right here at the UF date in the fall, and if there is enough mentoring for students who are Physics Department. At the meetings interest, we’ll keep it going though new to UF and/or physics. Just let professors give a presentation about the spring for people who are taking When in need of a break from sandwich or fabulous pasta (by the Hippodrome), a us know, and we’ll pair you up with their areas of research, and maybe the exam next year. studying physics, you should salad, head over to Harvest Mediterranean restaurant someone who has already weathered even a tour of their lab. If you find the consider wandering downtown Thyme on University Avenue for with homemade hummus and the storms that brew in your future. research interesting, you can contact Finally, we’re going to try something to some great undiscovered breakfast and lunch until 4 pm. cinnamon ice cream. Another the professor about gettng involved. new this year – a physics/science locations with equally great option is Manuel’s Vintage Room, Another exciting development this Another great program is the research competition for local high school food. For breakfast, go to For a slightly more expensive which is a tiny Italian restaurant year will be the return of the Physics experience for undergrads, or REU. students. If you’ve ever participated Bagels Unlimited on 13th and and international option, you straight from Florence and is Phun Shows that were offered to This program involves spending in something like this then you know University. It is open until 3 could try Emiliano’s Cafe on First located right on Main Street. local schools in years past. The idea is the summer working on a research what great fun these events are. pm for late sleepers and has and Main Streets. With delicious Order the lobster ravioli with a simple – we get the next generation of project. These programs generally We’ll need help writing questions, tapas and imported wine, you cream and truffle sauce, and you physics students addicted to physics. involve more interaction with the planning, and of course putting on every breakfast food you can A little bit of smoke, mirrors, and other undergraduates in the program, the event sometime in late spring. imagine. Be sure to buy the can’t go wrong. The Cuban will be far from disappointed. by Arthur Ianuzzi Arthur by Burrito and the Curry Chicken liquid nitrogen should go a long way trips to related laboratories, and other Swift Alicia by chocolate chip brownies by the Top it all off with dessert from to getting kids interested in physics. special activities designed to enhance To keep informed on all of these cash register for $1. Not only Wrap are outstanding, and on The Gelato Company, which has This year, we will try to enhance the the research experience. Towards the events, be sure to join the SPS are they huge, but they are the Mondays and Wednesdays, you (you guessed it) amazing gelato program by adding activities that end of November, Prof. Ingersent will listserve, spsmembers-L. Instructions best brownies on the face of the can enjoy the live jazz band and and also cheesecakes and pies. allow the students to get some hands be giving a presentation on how to on joining, and other great information planet. your half-priced bottle of wine. This is right next to Emiliano’s, on experience with physics toys, and find a good program and how to put can be found on the SPS website at which can be quite convenient. maybe even let them leave with a together a good application. Also, a http://www.phys.ufl.edu/~sps. One option if you are looking For your hot date on Saturday cool souvenir. If you would like to GRE study group has been formed. for a quick but healthy gourmet night, I recommend Ti Amo Inside Undergraduate Physics Newsletter - September 2008 Undergraduate Physics Newsletter - September 2008 Inside