Spring 2013 a P R I L 2 0 1 3 P O I N T S O F INTEREST: the Spring 2013 Semester

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S P E C I A L Spring 2013 A P R I L 2 0 1 3 P O I N T S O F INTEREST: the Spring 2013 semester. in 2011.  Big Bang or Chair’s corner A search for another medical Sponsored research expend- Big Bounce? physicist is underway and Physics & Astronomy’s itures from state, federal, and additional searches are being vision is to use its world-class private sources amounted to  Schaefer to considered together with CCT science to train its students to $8.9M, an increase from the Stockholm in computational materials think creatively, flexibly, and $5.8M total five years ago. and computational nuclear analytically; to prepare in- Highlights of the faculty’s and  Grad student physics. creasing numbers of students students’ research can be recognized 17 new PhD and 4 Medical to produce new knowledge found in this newsletter and on worldwide. Physics Masters students and to be productive citizens the department’s web site at: joined us in 2012, and 17 of Louisiana and the nation; http://ww.phys.lsu.edu.  Steldt Leaves more PhD and 4 Medical and to utilize and expand its Legacy Physics MS candidates are research capabilities to en- expected in August 2013. 8 hance Louisiana’s, LSU’s, and students received PhDs and the Department’s national 13 received MS degrees dur- reputation, technical infra- ing 2012. At the start of the structure, and workforce. Fall 2013 semester, the total Three new faculty – Ivan number of students in the PhD INSIDE THIS Agullo (theoretical gravity), and MS program will be 99 ISSUE: Mark Wilde (quantum compu- and 18, respectively. These ting), and Guang Jia (medical Community 1 numbers were 92 and 20 in physics) – will join us in Outreach Fall 2012. 16 students August 2013. John Wefel Michael Cherry, received Bachelors degrees in Who’s New 2 (astrophysics) retired in Chair, Department of 2012. The number of under- March 2013; and Ray Chas- Physics & Astronomy graduate majors as of Fall tain (instructor) left LSU after Undergradu- 3 2012 was 72 compared to 65 ate News

Graduate 3 on Saturday April 6. Participants ning Tunneling Microscope that Honors & learned about nanoscale science measures the surface of objects Awards Nanodays… and technology during a nation- at the atomic level. Faculty, wide festival celebrating the students and staff from the Faculty 4 NanoDays, coordinated by the science of ultra small matter. Department of Physics & Awards Nanoscale Informal Science NanoDays featured several hands Astronomy, the Center for Com- Education Network (NISE Net.), Research 6 -on activities for children of all putation and Technology, the took place nationally March 30- News ages. Department of Chemistry, the April 7, 2013, at more than 200 On Saturday, March 30, in the Society of Physics Students, and Alumni 11 science museums, research cen- Highland Road Park Observatory, the National Science Foundation Activities ters and universities across the Richard Kurtz presented Nano- -funded Louisiana Alliance for country. technology for improved energy Simulation-Guided Materials In Baton Rouge, NanoDays generation, storage and transmis- Applications (LA-SiGMA) 2013 was held at the Highland sion. On Saturday April 6th, John volunteered their time to make Road Park Observatory, Satur- DiTusa presented Nanomagnets the events a success. day, March 30, and at the Loui- as a path to new computers and siana Arts & Science museum Juana Moreno displayed a Scan- P A G E 2 Highland Road Park Observatory Community Outreach

The Highland Road Park “What’s New with Com- Hynes), “From Magnetism Observatory celebrated its ets” (Greg Stacy), “The Life to Superconductivi- 15th anniversary and remains and Death of Stars” (Juhan ty” (David Young), and a popular destination on Fri- Frank), “Binary Stars” (Zach “Medical Physics” (Wayne day and Saturday nights in Byerly), “The Astounding Newhauser). We look for- Baton Rouge. You often find CCT” (Juana Moreno), “The ward to a major refurbish- an LSU professor or gradu- Star of Bethlehem”, “Dark ment of the 20” telescope in ate student operating the Energy in Stockholm”, and the near future. telescope on a public night. “Dating the Crucifix- This past year public lec- ion” (Brad Schaefer), Check out the Highland Road Park tures from Physics and “Superluminal Neutri- Observatory online at The Dumbbell Nebula Astronomy covered a diverse nos” (Thomas Kutter), “Into http://www.bro.lsu.edu/ array of topics including: the Neutron Star” (Rob

Saturday Science The Department of Physics and origin of stars to the fate of Mis- Astronomy runs the Saturday Sci- sissippi river and its impact on Winners of 2013 College of Science ence series of talks aimed at high our city. school students given by faculty A Saturday Science schedule Choppin Honors Convocation is available via the departmental from the Colleges of Science and College of Science Outstanding Junior: Melanie Carroll Engineering. Talks on a diverse set webpage and it is also an- Keen-Morris Prize: Daniel Case of topics are held every month at nounced to different schools. Gregg Hussey Scholarship for Excellence Award: Nicholson Hall. They are attended This year new initiatives were Jonathan Curole by over 50 people from different taken to get the word out about Outstanding Geaux Teach Student Award: Mia Ferriss schools in Baton Rouge and neigh- Saturday Science which yielded College Honors: Daniel Case & Mia Ferriss boring areas. School students get an increase in attendance. Satur- College of Science Untenured Faculty Research Award: school credit for attending these day Science activities were run Parampreet Singh public talks. this past year by our depart- —————————————————————————– ment's Board of Regents This year there were 8 Saturday Winners of Physics & Astronomy Department Science public lectures on a very Fellows and Parampreet Singh. broad range of topics ranging from Student and Teaching Awards 2012 Winners!

Undergraduate Research Award: Noah Davis Welcome New Members to Our Department Ganesh Chanmugam Distinguished Dissertation Award: Biao Hu Faculty Research Staff Joseph Callaway Prize for an Outstanding Research Proposal in the Graduate Seminar: Laura Linhardt Aaron Grochoski, Instructor Flor De Maria Blaszczyk (Tzanov) Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant: Charles Wilson & Garrett Will McElgin, Instructor Bethany Broekhoven (Guzik) May Amber Stuver, Instructor Winston Capps (Cherry) Outstanding Graduate Assistant Grader: Zhiahao Xiao Staff Duncan Macleod (Gonzalez) Undergraduate Majors’ Faculty Teaching Award: Mette Gaarde Hangwen Guo (Zhang) Colleen Fava, Manager of LaSpace Miguel Megevand (Singh) 2013 Winners! Stephanie Jones, Coordinator Tess Leonard, Part-time Coordinator Adam Mullavey (Gonzalez) Undergraduate Research Award: Hannah Gardiner & Conrad Brandon Lohman, Research Stephen Pittman (Blackmon/Newhauser) Sprunger Specialist Ching Cheng Hsu (Cherry) Department Service award: Chase Brignac & Greg Tobin Edward Wilson-Ewing (Singh) Joseph Callaway Prize for an Outstanding Research Proposal in the Amir Javaid (Guzik) Graduate Seminar: Ashkan Balouchi Zhenyu Zhang (Plummer/Haber) Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant: Chris Johnson & Jisun Kim (Plummer) Ed Montiel Undergraduate Majors’ Faculty Teaching Award: Jonathan Dowling

SPRING 2013 Undergraduate News P A G E 3

How many physicists does it take to make liquid 2014 Conference for nitrogen ice cream? Undergraduate Women in Physics

Well, in our case, the The LSU Department of different careers in physics. answer is THREE. With Physics and Astronomy will We will also organize tours of the intention of helping our be hosting the South Central the local facilities and labora- new undergraduate 2014 Conference for Under- tories. students (both first- and graduate Women in Physics We are hoping to get be- second-year) acclimate to (CUWiP). CUWiP will take tween 80 and 100 participants their new academic envi- place January 17-19, 2014. from across the region. The ronment, Professors The CUWiP allows for un- local organizers are Gabriela experienced physics Deibel, Gaarde, and Stadler dergraduate women to meet Gonzalez and Mette Gaarde majors, and to ask them organized two ice cream and network with each other from Physics and Astronomy, questions about classes, socials for all physics and with professional and Theda Daniels-Race from the department, and majors. The first one was women in physics. Engineering. Student members career plans, or to just held in the Fall 2012 The conference will con- of the organizing committee make some social con- semester with a good turn- sist of three days of talks, are Bethany Broekhoven, Mia nections. Based on the out of ~35 students. By the workshops, poster sessions, Ferris (seniors), Hannah Gar- positive feedback from Spring, word had gotten panel discussions and so- diner (junior), Amy LeBleu out that the ice cream was the students, the events were deemed success- cials. We will have talks and (freshman), and Anamaria REALLY GOOD, and the poster sessions about Effler (grad. student). numbers increased to ful, and we plan to do research, and through work- around 45. The idea was to this again in Fall 2013. shops and panels explore give the students an opportunity to meet some more See http://www.aps.org/programs/women/workshops/cuwip.cfm for more details. Graduate Honors & Awards Pagnotta, A Shining Star..

Ashley is posted on the department website. while at LSU,” says Pagnotta. Pagnotta Pagnotta is also the recipient of the “Pagnotta has a wonderful re- recent Ph. D. Charles E. Coates Outstanding Disser- search plan to test whether old graduate in tation Award for 2011-2012. While at novae fade on the time scale of a Physics from LSU, Ashley enjoyed being involved LSU century, with this dimming as part of in outreach programs like Saturday the controversial ‘Hibernation Science for local high school students Eddy Perez/University Relations Model,’” said Schaefer, her disserta- and Astronomy Public Nights. She is tion advisor. “Few graduates make Ashley Pagnotta, who recently completed her currently a postdoc at the American big waves in the scientific communi- Ph. D. in physics, was part of the team, along with Museum of Natural History in New ty, but Ashley’s press conferences, LSU professor Bradley Schaefer, that solved the York City where she will continue her press releases, and press interviews question of what produces thermonuclear, or Type Ia, research and public outreach. “It is a in January carried her science results supernovae. Type Ia supernovae are bright explo- great place to use and expand upon worldwide.” sions often brighter than a whole galaxy. Schaefer the skills and interest I developed and Pagnotta’s research, featured in Nature, has proven that Type Ia supernovae are caused by a pair Article adapted from the LSU Graduate School website located at of white dwarf stars. A video interview with Ashley http://www.lsu.edu/departments/gold/2012/06/pagnotta_supernovae.shtml P A G E 4 P A G E 4 Graduate Honors & Awards Caudill Wins Distinguished Dissertation

Award search. The inclusion of multiple modes Sarah Caudill, former graduate student and cur- would improve both efficiency and pa- rent postdoctoral researcher at the University of rameter recovery but would be computa- Wisconsin, is the winner of the 2013 LSU Distin- tionally expensive. Many of the tech- guished Dissertation Award for Science, Technolo- niques and results described in Caudill’s thesis are applicable to multiple facets of gy and Mathematics. Her thesis describes the Caudill development of a search for gravitational waves the overall search for gravitational waves, from perturbed intermediate mass black holes, a not just the ringdown search. class of elusive objects for which electromagnetic observational evidence has been historically diffi- cult. Direct detection of gravitational waves from Mesa these sources could provide irrefutable evidence for Graduate School’s 2013- their existence. The work in her thesis focused on the collabora- 2014 Dissertation Year tive work to design an effective matched filtering analysis pipeline to search LIGO (the Laser Interfer- ometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) data for Fellowship Award ringdown signals, the waveform we expect to see Congratulations to graduate from a perturbed black hole. One exciting new student Dalgis Mesa winner of the Graduate development was the implementation of a machine School's 2013-2014 Dissertation Year Fellow- learning algorithm to help separate hidden ringdown ship. The focus of her PhD research is to use signals from the LIGO detector noise. The search Neutron Scattering to investigate electron spin pipeline succeeded at detecting simulated ringdown and lattice coupling, a complex interaction. Such signals and improved the upper limit on the rate of an interaction is known to result in the emer- occurrence of signals from perturbed intermediate mass black holes in our local universe. gence of exotic phenomena and functionalities in Additionally, her thesis discussed the benefits of strongly correlated electron systems. Her thesis upgrading the search to a multi-mode ringdown title is Neutron Scattering of Unusual Spin Struc- ture and Local Correlation in Complex Oxides and she will graduate with a PhD in Condensed To learn more about her work go to: http://etd.lsu.edu/ Matter Physics in Spring 2014. docs/available/etd-07112012-150956/

Faculty Awards Jin Named Rainmaker Rongying Jin was presented with LSU’s Mid-Career Rainmaker Award in Science, Technology, Engi- neering and Mathematics (STEM), which recognizes an associate professor or recently promoted professor who exhibits a sustained program of excellence. Jin’s research focuses on the development and characterization of novel complex materials with intriguing physical properties, such as new phases that exist on the edge of instabilities. Her research effort is devoted to “science-driven” synthesis and inves- Jin tigation of basic physical properties. Jin was also named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for her "significant contributions to materials physics, including science-driven materials development and pioneering studies of their underlying physics" .

SPRING 2013

P A G E 5 Faculty Awards Schaefer Gets Ticket to Stockholm

Many members of the Department 'Dark Energy.’ study supernovae, as they have profound Dark Energy is now known to be the implications in most areas of astrophys- dominant constituent, comprising about ics. Starting in the early 1990's the three-quarters of the mass-energy of the "Supernova Cosmology Project", head- Universe. The fate of the Universe is ed by Saul Perlmutter (Lawrence Berke- also determined. An accelerating Uni- verse will keep expanding forever and ley), showed that one type of superno- Schaefer vae can be used as superb distance ever, with the Universe becoming per- petually darker and darker, emptier and markers, and found ways to discover and he tirelessly led the rest of the emptier, and colder and colder. By and measure the supernova out to team. Schaefer got 'his ticket to 2003, the supernova result was inde- roughly half the way to the edge of the Stockholm'. He and his wife (Prof. pendently confirmed. The identical re- Universe. Bradley E. Schaefer was a Martha Schaefer, Department of sults from separate methods convinced member of the Supernova Cosmology Geology and Geophysics) both had the astronomical community that Dark Project. a wonderful time with the gala ex- Energy, whatever it is, must exist. The goal was to measure the slowing travaganzas associated with Nobel In 2007, the whole Supernova down of the expansion of the Universe, Week. Cosmology Project was awarded the and predict the mass of the entire Schaefer was also named the $500,000 Gruber Prize for Cosmology. Universe. The primary tool was the LSU’s 2012 Distinguished Schaefer was thus a recipient of part of construction of the Hubble Diagram, Research Master. “I have a wide this award, as one of the discoverers of which plots out the expansion history of range of interests throughout astro- Dark Energy. On October 5, 2012, the the Universe. In 1998, surprisingly, the physics,” said Schaefer. His Nobel Prize in Physics was announced, Supernova Cosmology Project’s version research includes Gamma-Ray with Saul Perlmutter one of the winners. of the plot showed that the Universe's Bursts, supernovae, supernova Perlmutter's first email outbound was to expansion was not decelerating, but remnants, as well as astronomical all the members of the Supernova Cos- rather was accelerating. Something was events in history and literature. making the Universe speed up, and this mology Project in thanks and celebra- would require a huge amount of energy. tion for the work of the whole team. This 'something' is still completely mys- Perlmutter had the original insight as to terious, but we have given it the name how to construct the Hubble Diagram,

For more information Draayer Honored about what’s going on.. the U.S. and abroad, paid tribute to Draayer’s world-wide recognized visit our Physics & research and academic achieve- Astronomy website at ments during Horizons of Innova- tive Theories, Experiments, and http:// Jerry P. Draayer, LSU Distinguished Supercomputing in Nuclear Phys- Research Master and President of South- ics, or HITES 2012, an internation- www.phys.lsu.edu eastern Universities Research Associa- al conference held June 4 - 7 in the tion (SURA) was honored last June. historic New Orleans French More than 100 people, including some Quarter. of the most prominent scientists from P A G E 6 Faculty Awards NSF CAREER Award Winners Thomas Corbitt and Daniel other important (but more com- Sheehy are winners of NSF CA- plex) physical systems such as the REER awards. Sheehy is part of behavior of electrons in electronic Corbitt Sheehy the theoretical physics research materials. By extracting funda- group at LSU that investigates the mental physics principles from rors, comparable in diameter to a properties of atomic gases at ex- cold atoms, we hope to better un- human hair, suspended on cantile- tremely low temperatures (around derstand the physical properties of vers, and placed in a high finesse a billionth of a degree above abso- electronic materials, that will form optical cavity operated at cryogenic lute zero). Experiments on these the backbone of future energy and temperatures. The small mirror size cold atomic gases use complex computer technologies,” says and low temperature are necessary to laser fields to confine and manipu- Sheehy. reduce thermal fluctuations and late the atoms and observe collec- Thomas Corbitt has also re- reveal the quantum behavior. tive phenomena such as superflu- ceived an NSF CAREER award to These experiments are important idity. perform experimental testing of for Advanced LIGO and future grav- The team uses theoretical mod- methods to mitigate quantum itational-wave detectors. Operation els to understand these experi- noise in gravitational-wave inter- of the macroscopic mechanical sys- ments and make predictions for ferometers, such as the LIGO de- tems at the quantum level allows for future experiments. “What is the tectors. Radiation pressure noise the possibility of observing non- motivation for studying such cold and opto-mechanical coupling are classical behavior at size and mass gases? The collective quantum the prime effects of interest. Proto- scales previously inaccessible. This mechanical phenomena exhibited type experiments will be per- could also potentially have applica- by cold atoms is closely related to formed with micro-fabricated mir- tions in quantum computing. Congratulations also goes to…. Jeffrey Blackmon, who has been named a Fellow of the American Physical Society for his vision and innovation in exploiting radioactive nuclear beams to advance our understanding of nuclear processes that govern astrophysical phenomena and to Kenneth Schafer, named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his "seminal contributions in the field of laser-matter inter- Blackmon actions through extensive theoretical studies of high quality and great Schafer innovation.” Research News

Geoffrey Clayton worked with Marianne Konikoff, a student at St. Joseph's Academy, on her project "Molecular Hydrogen and Far-Ultraviolet Extinction due to Dust: A Two-Year Study," which won 1st place overall in the senior division, grades 9-12, of the 2013 Region VII Louisiana Science and Engi- neering Fair. This project involves the analysis of measurements of the amount of molecular hydrogen in various directions towards stars in the Milky Way galaxy. The presence of molecular hydrogen is an indicator of cold, dense clouds of gas and dust in the interstellar medium. Clayton

SPRING 2013 Research News P A G E 7

Scientific Balloons Lead the Charge Toward Identifying MARSLIFE: Microscopic Life Outside of Earth

Little green men. Silver space “Scientists have used ballooning technology for more suits. Flying saucers. These are the than 200 years to investigate the secrets of the universe,” images that often come to mind said Guzik. “Modern scientific balloons allow instruments when the term “alien life” is dis- weighing thousands of pounds to be placed above 99 percent cussed. But in reality, scientists are of the Earth’s atmosphere for extended periods of time at looking for nothing so grand – or fraction of the cost to put a satellite in orbit. For MARSLIFE so cliché. In fact, the search for we are using this technology to investigate the limits of our life on other planets has begun on a biosphere as a function of altitude.” The MARSLIFE balloon microscopic level… and the search Originally, members of the group worked on very differ- payload sampling for microbes 10,000 feet begins right here at home. ent projects in Antarctica. Christner studied microbes that above Fort Sumner, LSU physicists and biologist, live in subglacial lakes of the frozen continent, while Wefel New Mexico. along with more than 20 undergrad- and Guzik ran scientific ballooning experimental missions uate and graduate students, plus there. Now, as a team, the group can test their theories much collaborators from Southern University, Louisiana Tech, closer to home, while continuing to offer area students a NASA-Ames and Aarhus University in Denmark, have unique, research-intensive experience. taken on a project studying earthly microorganisms that “The strongly interdisciplinary and technical nature of tolerate conditions similar to those found in extra- this project provides a unique training opportunity for our terrestrial environments. It’s called MARSLIFE, or Modes students, allowing them to broaden their scientific horizons of Adaptation, Resistance and Survival for Life Inhabiting beyond the typical experiences gained during an undergradu- a Freeze-dried-radiation-bathed Environment. ate or graduate education,” said Christner. “Determining the limits of the biosphere here on Earth “MARSLIFE is producing technologically-informed, is the important first step for studying life on other plan- interdisciplinary students and will have long-term benefits in ets,” said Professor of Physics & Astronomy John Wefel, nurturing the next generation of scientists in Louisiana.” “and MARSLIFE is taking that step.” Other LSU participants include John Battista, Gary Some goals of MARSLIFE include investigating ex- King, Dana Browne, Jim Giammanco, Michael Stewart, isting and novel microorganisms with tolerances to cold, Doug Granger and Brad Ellison. Participants from area uni- desiccation and radiation as models for astrobiology; using versities include Sumeet Dua and Pradeep Chowriappa of laboratory simulators to assess responses to temperature, Louisiana Tech and Larry Henry from Southern University, pressure and radiation conditions that exist in a range of and external advisors include Kai Finster from Aarhus Uni- extraterrestrial environments and improving technologies versity and Rocco Mancinelli and for the detection and sampling of microorganisms under Chris McKay from NASA Ames. conditions similar to the surface of Mars. Sponsored by NASA EPSCoR and the Louisiana Board of Regents, the team, led by Wefel, biologist Brent Christner and physicist Gregory Guzik, uses a scientific Launch of a sounding balloon vehicle typical balloon, which starts off as a relatively large, helium-filled of those used for the inflatable, but expands to become larger than LSU’s Tiger MARSLIFE research and Stadium. These balloons carry experimental payloads to LaACES student training sample the microbes found at various heights, and returns programs. samples to the biology labs to test the microbe’s “hardiness.”

Article adapted from the LSU Office of Research & Economic Development Fall 2012 LSU RESEARCH, online at: http://www.research.lsu.edu P A G E 8 Research News

Singh and Diener making news..

Parampreet Singh was known as the Big Bang theory ideal place for him to do his chosen as one of Greater Baton basically says our universe began work, and that our department Rouge Business Report’s Forty Singh with a huge explosion and is now has the needed resources for Under 40 for 2012. Singh, an expanding outwardly, away from his research including “some Assistant Professor, holds a the point of origin. Our research of the most powerful super- Ph.D. from Inter-University shows that it was more of a big computers in the world.” says big bang … was Centre for Astronomy and As- bounce," said Singh in an inter- Singh. Singh has also been trophysics in India. His work view by Baton Rouge’s 225 more of a big invited to join the Editorial involves the study of the origins Magazine. Board of the journal Classical bounce, of the universe. He was also Singh along with Peter and Quantum Gravity, pub- according to featured along with just four Diener, Research Assistant Pro- lished by The Institute of other experts on quantum gravi- fessor of Physics, were both fea- Parampreet Physics (UK). ty in the 2010 BBC documen- tured in the January issue of 225 Singh and Peter tary production, What Hap- Magazine describing their re- Diener pened Before the Big Bang? search. Singh and Diener are "Right now, we are answer- among just 20 scientists world- ing certain questions that have wide to receive funding from the not been answered before—like Templeton Foundation New how the universe started. Con- Frontiers in Astronomy & Cos- ventional wisdom, via mology International Grant. Einstein's theory, in what is Singh feels that LSU is an Diener

Pullin: The Kutter’s Paper receives Montevideo Physical Review Editor’s Interpretation Selection Pullin Jorge Pullin of the LSU Relativity Group and A paper by Thomas Kutter, former LSU postdoc Hearne Institute and Adjunct Professor Rodolfo Jason Goon, and their collaborators on the Gambini of Universidad de la Republica in Monte- Sudbury Neutrino Observatory describes a new video, Uruguay, have made a step forward in recon- analysis of the Sudbury solar neutrino data using ciling quantum mechanics with gravity using a new an array of He-3 proportional interpretation – the Montevideo interpretation – that counters. The total flux of active eliminates the need for outside observers. Their new neutrinos was measured to be view on the meaning of measurement in quantum consistent with both previous mechanics may yield insights into the development measurements and standard solar of a quantum theory of gravity, a major unresolved models. The paper was selected as issue in theoretical physics. It may also allow a con- nection between a possible quantum mechanical a "Phys. Rev. C Editor's Sugges- Kutter phase early in the history of the universe and im- tion". prints of that phase on today's classical universe.

SPRING 2013 Research News P A G E 9

Where does the Periodic Table Come From? LSU experimental physicists Jeff Blackmon and Nature and featured on the cover of the August 2010 Catherine Deibel study atomic nuclei and nuclear Physics Today. reactions in the laboratory that are important in The group collaborate with colleagues at Florida astrophysical objects, particularly in explosive stellar State University to construct the Array for Nuclear events such as novae, X-ray bursts and supernovae. Astrophysics Studies with Exotic Nuclei (ANASEN). The nuclear reactions occurring in these events are Students at LSU and FSU are now using ANASEN at believed to have formed most of the elements found Florida State’s linear accelerator facility to directly in our galaxy. measure nuclear reactions important in X-ray burst These reactions are also studied at accelerators explosions. The development of ANASEN allows using particle beams incident on targets of stable LSU students to gain invaluable hands-on experience nuclei. Currently, the field is advancing rapidly with in forefront instrumentation that is important for fields the advent of radioactive ion beams, which for the from health care to national security. Two LSU un- first time allow us to study reactions with radioactive dergraduates, Laura Mondello and Hannah Gardiner, atoms that are important in stellar explosions. traveled to present results of their research with Blackmon and Deibel and their students perform ANASEN at the American Physical Society Confer- measurements at Oak Ridge National Laboratory; at ences in Santa Fe, NM and East Lansing, MI earlier Argonne National Laboratory; at the National Su- this year. perconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, NSCL, at Michigan State University; and at TRIUMF in Van- Adapted from the LSU Office of Research & Economic Development Fall 2012 LSU RESEARCH online at: http://www.research.lsu.edu couver. Their recent results have been published in Working with Beijing A cooperative agreement was signed between the Beijing Computational Science Research Center and the Hearne Institute For Theoretical Physics. On July 1, 2012, the Director of the Beijing Computational Science Research Center (CSRC), Prof. Hai-Qing Lin, and the Co-Director of the Hearne Institute for Theoretical Physics at LSU, Jonathan P. Dowling, signed a Cooperative Agreement for academic exchange and collaboration between the two institutions. The initial focus area of cooperation is quantum optics and quantum information science.

Jing Teng, Chen Chen, Yimin Xiong, Jiandi Zhang, Rongying Jin and E. W. Plummer have recently reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the observation of extremely large spin-charge- lattice coupling driven by the broken symmetry present at the surface. The study was conducted on single crystals grown at LSU of the newly

discovered Fe-based superconductors Ba(Fe1- xCox)2As2, using high reso- lution inelastic electron scattering to probe the lattice dynamics.

SPRING 2013 P A G E 1 0 Alumni Activities

Sterne Kessler Goldstein and Fox Alumni News Law firm in Washington, met with undergraduates of Physics and Major General What I did with my Physics Astronomy to discuss her career Jasper Welch, Jr. Degree… A series of discussions path. were held this year with alumni, Brian Burgess, a 1983 graduate industry representatives, faculty, and now a project manager with de- and on the general topic of career fense contractor Praeses, met with and the National Academy of Engi- opportunities and prospects for undergraduates in November. neering. Major Welch’s career path undergraduate physics majors. The The series resumed in April with includes being a former advisor to the first presentation on Oct. 11, 2012, Christopher Welch, BS in Physics White House Office of Science and on Landing Curiosity on Mars was '04 and MS in Medical Physics '08, Technology Policy; the Defense Sci- delivered by Keith Comeaux, who who spoke about his work at St. ence Board; the Secretary of the Air works with NASA Jet Propulsion Luke's Hospital in Houston and his Force; the Office of the Secretary of Lab. Comeaux is a 1989 LSU current job as a petro-physicist and Defense; defense policy coordinator Physics and Mechanical Engineer- radiation detection expert for Shell for the National Security Council; ing graduate. Exploration Company. and a member of the Council on For- The following day, Michelle The final presentation was on eign Relations. Holoubek, graduate of our depart- April 26, 2013, by Major General ment and now a patent attorney and Jasper A. Welch, Jr., a 1952 graduate director of the Electronics Group at in Physics and a member of the Col- lege of Science Hall of Distinction

Steldt Leaves Legacy Steldt Steldt credits LSU for his successful LSU alumnus Frank Richard "Rick" Steldt, retired phys- career as an educator. Upon his retirement, he received an ics professor at Indiana University, recently returned to annuity, and has since established a trust to be used to help LSU after more than 30 years since receiving his doctorate graduate students at LSU. "When I first started at LSU, I in physics with an electrical engineering minor in Decem- did not have any financial aid. I'd like to have a fund in part ber 1971. Steldt was a research associate and taught a se- to service incoming graduate students who don't have any mester of sophomore physics to undergraduate students in kind of assistance themselves," Steldt said. During his recent our department. He was hired shortly after by Indiana Uni- visit to campus, Steldt enjoyed stopping by his former grad- versity at a time when academic positions were scarce. uate student office and laboratory in Nicholson Hall and Steldt feels the reason he got the job at IU was because meeting with Dean Kevin Carman. of the research he did at LSU with his advisor, Paul G. Var- Steldt is leaving a trust to the LSU Foundation valued at lashkin. While at Indiana University, Steldt also developed more than one million dollars for the benefit of the Depart- an interest in astronomy, particularly in solar eclip- ment of Physics & Astronomy. Though he is retired, Steldt ses. Steldt has traveled around the globe photographing still keeps up with the field of physics. "Physics is the world these events. around us, it's how things work. You can't have anything In addition, he became interested in lasers and holog- more important than how things work in the world in which raphy and these interests led to the building of the IU Ko- you live," he says. Steldt has always felt indebted to LSU komo Observatory/Lecture Hall which also contained a and wanted for a long time to leave a legacy. His generous laser laboratory. This building is still used today by stu- gift will benefit future generations of LSU physics students. dents in astronomy, physics and physical science.

Adapted from LSU College of Science website. For more information about Prof. Steldt , go online to http://science.lsu.edu/Alumni+Giving/Give-to-the-College/item56188.html

SPRING 2013

Alumni Activities P A G E 1 1

Gary Grest has been named to the College of Science Hall of Distinction. Grest: Hall of Distinction Grest earned BS, MS, and PhD degrees from LSU in physics in 1971, 1973, and 1974. After graduation, he worked at Rutgers and the Universi- ty of Chicago before accepting a faculty position at Purdue in 1979. He is currently at the Center for Integrated Nanotechnol- ogies at Sandia National Lab working in the Theory and Simulation of Nanoscale Phenomena unit that studies the assembly, interfacial interactions, and emergent properties of nanoscale systems. Dr. Grest is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and winner of the American Physical Society’s Aneesur Rahman Prize for Computational Physics in 2008 and the Polymer Physics Prize in 2011.

Physics & Astronomy Alumni

Please help us update our alumni database. Take a few minutes to respond with news about We are very yourself to be included in our Alumni database. The Department of Physics and Astronomy interested in maintains a database of all our alumni - Ph.D., M.S. and B. S. The following information is needed and can be submitted by email to how you are [email protected] or visit us on the web - http://www.phys.lsu.edu/dept/alumni doing and ————————————————————————————————–—- where your

Full Name (including maiden name) Home address and telephone number career has Graduation Information (semester, year, degree level and major) Current employment information, title, email Career and Personal News taken you!

Private support has always been important in providing the margin of excellence for our students and faculty. In today’s challenging economic times, LSU relies even more on our alumni and friends to make a vital investment in the future. Donations for the benefit of the Department of Physics and Astronomy will be used to enhance our teaching program and facilitate scientific discoveries that shape the future. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift for the benefit of the LSU Department of Physics and Astronomy, please complete this form and return it with your check to the address below. Your contribution check should be written payable to: LSU Foundation—Department of Physics and Astronomy. If you prefer to use a credit card for your donation, you may either fill in the details below, or you may submit your gift online by visiting www.lsufoundation.org. Under the Giving Opportunities heading, select Contribute Online. Contributions can also be mailed to:

Michael Cherry, Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy Louisiana State University 202 Nicholson Hall- Tower Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70803-4001

Please Print All gifts are tax deductible to the extend allowed by law Donation Form Name ______Address ______City ______State ______Zip ______Signature ______Date ______Enclosed is my gift of $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 Other ______Credit card type ______Card number ______Expiration Date ______Please Print your name as you wish it to appear on our donor listing: ______

With your support, we can continue to make a profound and lasting contribution to our students, our community, and the world. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 733 Baton Rouge, LA

Department of Physics and Astronomy Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Phone: 255-578-2574 http://www.phys.lsu.edu

LSU IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACCESS UNIVERSITY