March 2016 • Vol. 25, No. 3

A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY APS Membership on the Rise Page 5 WWW.APS.ORG/PUBLICATIONS/APSNEWS

Gravitational Waves Caught in the Act APS Addresses Sexual Harassment Scandals By Emily Conover By Emily Conover and reaffirmed the urgency of its In the culmination of a decades- Sexual harassment scandals efforts already underway. long quest, physicists have directly have rocked the astronomy com- In October, exoplanet researcher detected the minuscule ripples in munity in recent months, as news Geoff Marcy resigned from the spacetime known as gravitational outlets uncovered a number of University of California, Berkeley, waves. Predicted one hundred years university investigations which after BuzzFeed News revealed that Caltech/MIT/LIGO Laboratory ago as part of Einstein’s general found that astronomy professors the university had investigated him theory of relativity, gravitational had harassed students. The stories on multiple accusations of sexual waves stretch and squeeze space have generated outrage among sci- harassment and found him in viola- itself. Such waves are generated entists, politicians, and the public, tion of university policy. by some of the most violent cata- and spurred calls for harsher pun- Soon, more scandals followed. clysms in the universe, like the ishments for harassers. Caltech professor Christian Ott was exploding stars known as super- The incidents have served as a placed on a year of unpaid leave novae, or pairs of neutron stars or wake-up call for many in the sci- for inappropriate interactions with black holes coalescing into one. The LIGO Laboratory operates two detector sites, one near Hanford, WA, entific community. Both NASA graduate students. And a decade-old In a paper published in Physical and another near Livingston, LA. This photo shows the Livingston detec- and the National Science Founda- University of Arizona investigation Review Letters on February 11, the tor site. The detector arm stretching off in the distance is 4 km long. tion issued statements that they resurfaced, detailing inappropriate Laser Interferometer Gravitational- do not tolerate sexual harassment. behavior by astronomy educator wave Observatory (LIGO) and of the merger of so-called binary September 14, 2015 — during an And Representative Jackie Speier Timothy Slater (now at the Uni- Virgo collaborations announced black holes. The detection heralds engineering run just days before (D-CA) spoke about the issue on versity of Wyoming). the detection of just such a black a new era of astronomy — using official data-taking started — a the House floor on January 12, The problem is by no means hole merger — knocking out two gravitational waves to “listen in” strong signal, consistent with saying she would introduce legis- confined to the astronomy com- scientific firsts at once: the first on the universe (see related article merging black holes, appeared lation to address sexual harassment munity. University of Chicago direct detection of gravitational on p. 5). nearly simultaneously in LIGO’s in science. The events have also waves and the first observation In the early morning hours of WAVES continued on page 4 prompted increased action at APS, SCANDALS continued on page 4

Edward Witten Receives Inaugural APS Medal Research News From By Emily Conover For the first time, APS has recog- New Form of Carbon Stores Lots of Gas

nized the remarkable achievements Kyle Bergener By Tamela Maciel hydrogen) are the best commer- of a single scientist — selected from Carbon can form diamond, cial option, but they require a huge across the entire field of phys- nanotubes, or the nanoscale spheres amount of energy to maintain. So ics — with the 2016 APS Medal called buckyballs, as well as sev- many researchers are now focused for Exceptional Achievement eral other structures. Now a team on developing porous materials that in Research. In a ceremony held has produced what they call carbon can both trap and release hydro- January 28 in Washington, DC, the honeycomb, a structure that appears gen gas while consuming much less inaugural recipient, string theorist to have a huge gas-storage capac- energy. In theory, carbon nanotubes Edward Witten of the Institute for ity. By slightly altering a common and other nanostructures, with their Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J., fabrication method, the researchers very large surface areas, are good received the prize. created what appears to be a 3D candidates, but in practice, access The annual APS Medal is honeycomb built from the carbon to the gas storage space in these intended to “recognize contributions sheets known as graphene. This structures is often blocked. Some of the highest level that advance our structure might be used as a light, researchers have proposed a new knowledge and understanding of the On January 28, APS awarded its first Medal for Exceptional Achievement in foam-like carbon structure with a Research to Edward Witten (center right), Institute for Advanced Study, Princ- energy-efficient fuel storage con- physical universe in all its facets,” eton. The award was funded by a donation from Jay Jones (center left) and tainer for hydrogen fuel cells. higher gas storage capacity, but it and “to celebrate the human value was presented by 2016 APS President Homer Neal (left) and CEO Kate Kirby Storing and transporting hydro- has not yet been demonstrated [2]. (right). of open and free inquiry in the pur- gen gas efficiently remains a key To develop better hydrogen suit of knowledge.” The physicist Witten received the award for to condensed matter physics and obstacle to its use as a renewable storage, Nina Krainyukova of the chosen for this honor receives a “discoveries in the mathematical heavy ion physics.” fuel source. So the U.S. Department National Academy of Sciences of medal and an award of $50,000 — structure of quantum field theory “It’s marvelous to have the of Energy has challenged scien- Ukraine and Evgeniy Zubarev of the making it the largest prize given that have opened new paths in all opportunity to work in science; I tists to develop a system that can National Technical University, both by APS. areas of quantum physics.” Wit- consider myself very lucky,” Witten store more than 5.5% of its total in Kharkiv, Ukraine, experimented The award was established ten is the originator of M-theory, said. “For one who has the passion mass as hydrogen by 2020 [1]. At with various ways of making carbon thanks to a donation from entre- which united five competing string for physics, the chance of being a the moment, storage tanks at very structures. Their most successful preneur Jay Jones, the founder and theory models. This result kicked physicist is the best thing that one high pressure (for hydrogen gas) technique was similar to the “arc former president of Olympic Medi- off intense interest and rapid devel- can imagine.” or very low temperature (for liquid CARBON continued on page 2 cal Corporation. opments in the field, leading to a He added, “This award from “It is truly a wonderful occa- boom known as the second super- the American Physical Society sion,” said 2014 APS President string revolution. really means a lot to me, especially Malcolm Beasley, speaking at the Summing up the importance of because I know that the American ceremony. “The APS can finally his work and that of colleagues in Physical Society is a very important

recognize those among us who have the field, Witten said, “I believe voice for physics in our society and Sciences of Ukraine made the most important contri- we’ve made lasting achievements in Washington.” butions across the entire field of in understanding quantum field the- In remarks during the ceremony, physics. That was not possible ory better, in learning how it might Jones said, “I don’t think your before.” Beasley, who helped estab- be generalized to combine it with committees could have selected a Academy of N. Krainyukova/National lish the prize during his presidential Einstein’s theory of gravity, and in more deserving or distinguished term, added that doing so was “the learning and applications to many physicist, and I also think it’s an This new carbon nanostructure is a 3D honeycomb built from graphene most joyous experience of my ser- areas of physics and mathematics, extremely auspicious beginning for sheets in either periodic (left) or random (center) form. The structure can vice in the APS presidential line.” that range from algebraic geometry WITTEN continued on page 6 absorb large numbers of gas atoms and molecules (right). 2 • March 2016

CARBON continued from page 1 discharge” method, where car- until they found one that matched all bon fragments fly between a pair of their observations. This winning This Month in Physics History of charged carbon electrodes and structure has a repeating pattern of land on a nearby surface to form flat graphene sheets bound on edge March 1844: Publication of Faraday’s Letter nanostructures. But instead of two into hexagons to form a “carbon electrodes, the team heated a single honeycomb,” as the researchers call Describing His Ice-Pail Experiment carbon rod up to its sublimation it. The open hexagonal channels in he eminent 19th-century scientist Humphrey with an electroscope, and demonstrated that the point using an electric current. The the honeycomb are key to its high TDavy is known for many things, including the electric charge never penetrated into the interior of hot rod produced a vapor containing absorbency, and the team says that discovery of the elements barium, strontium, sodium, the makeshift room. much smaller carbon fragments than the size of these channels could be potassium, calcium, and magnesium. But it has often Seven years later, Faraday built on that earlier the arc discharge method, according adapted to fit many different atoms been said that his one-time laboratory assistant, work with his famous ice-pail experiment to dem- to Krainyukova. These fragments or molecules, including hydrogen Michael Faraday, was Davy’s greatest discovery. The onstrate the effects of electrostatic induction. He then formed a thin film on a nearby gas with an estimated capacity of young man went on to conduct a series of some of insulated the metal pail from the ground by placing surface. This film proved to be a 8% by mass. the most seminal experiments in electromagnetism. it on a wooden stool, and then took a page from good gas absorber, as Krainyukova Boris Yakobson of Rice Uni- Born in 1790, Faraday’s father was a blacksmith, Benjamin Franklin’s experimental book by lowering reported in 2009, before she knew versity in Houston, who is also and the family lived in poverty. Young Michael a charged metal ball into the pail with a nonconduct- its atomic structure [3]. developing carbon-based hydro- received only the most rudimentary early education, ing silk thread, being careful not to let the ball touch In order to identify the struc- gen storage, says that this work is a but when he was 14, he was apprenticed to a local any part of the pail. ture, Krainyukova and Zubarev provocative discovery. If confirmed bookbinder and bookseller named George Reibau. A gold-leaf electroscope indicated the presence subjected their film to a battery of with higher resolution images, the That gave him access to scores of books, and he read of a charge on the outside the pail, evidence that tests. Electron microscope images honeycomb structure would be a voraciously for the next seven years, developing a the ball was inducing a charge in the exterior of the revealed a network of hollow chan- “remarkable addition” to the cur- particularly strong interest in science and the latest pail. And if he allowed the metal ball to touch the nels running perpendicular to the rent suite of carbon nanostructures, discoveries in electricity. bottom of the pail, the charges on the ball canceled film’s surface, which suggested he says. Klavs Hansen of the Uni- Serendipitously, as his apprenticeship was ending, the charges on the inside wall of the pail, leaving that the material had a lattice-like versity of Gothenburg in Sweden a friend gave him a ticket to a lecture on electro- a charge on the outside wall equal to the original structure. From electron diffraction agrees. “The obvious application chemistry by Davy at the Royal Institution — not a charge on the ball. measurements and computer mod- is, after some developments, for gas venue where the young humble-born Faraday would Faraday described these results in a letter to eling, the researchers determined storage and possibly also molecular normally be welcomed. Faraday was entranced, Richard Phillips, editor of the Philosophical Journal, that the bonds met at 120-degree sieves.” Farther in the future, he and after the lecture he asked Davy for a job. There who published the correspondence in the journal a angles. This angle is a character- says, there could be still more uses wasn’t a position available, Davy istic of graphene sheets and also beyond what today’s researchers year later in March 1844. Various gently told the young man, but versions of the experiment are of sponge-like carbon fragments can imagine. shortly thereafter he sacked his called schwarzites, but the mea- This article was originally pub- still performed today for dem- assistant for brawling and hired onstration purposes, although it sured carbon density of the film was lished in Physics (physics.aps.org). Faraday to take the man’s place. usually involves a hollow metal too high to be made of schwarzites. The research described was pub- Faraday was not considered sphere instead of a pail, and a Finally, the team again tested the lished in Physical Review Letters a “gentleman” by the standards modern electrometer instead of gas capacity of the film, this time (go.aps.org/1RtqUKR). of the day. In fact, when Davy an electroscope. with carbon dioxide as well as the Tamela Maciel is a freelance sci- and his wife toured the continent Faraday suffered a nervous krypton and xenon gases tested in ence writer in Leicester, UK. from 1813 - 1815, Faraday was breakdown in 1839, although 2009, and they found high levels of References supposed to accompany them he recovered sufficiently to absorption for each gas. This result as Davy’s scientific assistant — 1. DOE Hydrogen Storage Targets continue his experiments into eliminated the last of the previously (go.aps.org/1TOYs8a) except when Davy’s valet declined electromagnetism. For much of known carbon nanostructures— 2. A. K. Singh, J. Lu, R. S. Aga, and to go, Faraday was forced to step Portrait of Michael Farady painted bundles of nanotubes—which can B. I. Yakobson, “Hydrogen Stor- his life, he eschewed worldly in, with Davy’s wife insisting that by Thomas Phillips in 1842. only bind half as much gas as the age Capacity of Carbon-Foams: he eat with the servants and travel honors, turning down a knight- new carbon film. Grand Canonical Monte Carlo outside the coach. He endured these indignities, hood and twice refusing to After this last test, Krainyukova Simulations,” J. Phys. Chem. C become president of the Royal Society. During the 115, 2476 (2011). and proved an able assistant, discovering two new says, she and Zubarev had to admit compounds of chlorine and carbon, and successfully Crimean War, he was asked to advise the British 3. N. V. Krainyukova, “Evidence for High government on the production of chemical weapons; that their carbon film was different Saturation of Porous Amorphous liquefying various gases. from any known structure. They Carbon Films by Noble Gases,” Low In 1820, news reached England of Dutch scientist the staunchly religious Faraday refused on ethical modeled a series of new structures Temp. Phys. 35, 294 (2009). Hans Christian Oersted’s experiment demonstrat- grounds. On August 25, 1867, he died at home in ing that an electric current in a wire can deflect a Hampton Court at the age of 75. compass needle. Faraday enthusiastically dove into This self-educated blackmith’s son left an designing his own experiments, hoping to prove that indelible mark on physics. The unit of electrical APS Annual not just electricity and magnetism, but all natural capacitance is named the farad in his honor. Albert forces were somehow linked. He is best known for Einstein purportedly included a picture of Faraday on Business Meeting his demonstrations of the underlying principles his wall, with the likes of Isaac Newton and James behind electric motors and generators, as well as Clerk Maxwell. No less a luminary than Ernest the magneto-optical effect. Rutherford paid tribute to his genius by declaring, April 15 at the 2016 April Meeting But he also performed groundbreaking experi- “When we consider the magnitude and extent of in Salt Lake City, Utah ments on electrostatic charge. For instance, when his discoveries and their influence on the progress APS leaders will provide an overview of he wanted to prove that the charge on a conductor of science and of industry, there is no honour too the Society and answer questions from resides on the exterior surface and doesn’t influ- great to pay to the memory of Faraday, one of the APS members. All members are invited to ence anything enclosed within it, Faraday built a greatest scientific discoverers of all time.” attend in person or watch live online. small room inside his laboratory and covered it Further Reading with metal foil. Then he connected the foil to a A. W. Hirshfeld. The Electric Life of Michael Faraday. New high-voltage generator. He monitored the effects York: Walker and Company, 2006. www.aps.org/about/governance/meeting.cfm

Series II, Vol. 25, No. 3 APS COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES 2016 International Councilors Staff Representatives March 2016 Marcia Barbosa, Eliezer Rabinovici, Johanna Stachel, Mark Doyle, Chief Information Officer; Amy President © 2016 The American Physical Society Kiyoshi Ueda Flatten Director of International Affairs; Barbara Homer A. Neal*, University of Michigan Hicks, Associate Publisher; Ted Hodapp, Director Chair, Nominating Committee of Education and Diversity; Trish Lettieri, Director Editor...... David Voss President-Elect Paul Chaikin of Membership; TBD, Director of Development; Laura H. Greene*, University of Florida Staff Science Writer...... Emily Conover Michael Lubell, Director, Public Affairs; Dan Kulp, Chair, Panel on Public Affairs Editorial Director; Christine Giaccone, Director, Contributing Correspondent ...... Alaina G. Levine Vice President Julia Philips Journal Operations; Terri Olsen, Director of Meetings; Roger W. Falcone*, University of California, Berkeley/ Art Director and Special Publications Manager...... Kerry G. Johnson Matthew Salter, Publisher; Michael Stephens, LLBL Editor in Chief Controller and Assistant Treasurer; James W. Taylor, Design and Production...... Nancy Bennett-Karasik Dan Kulp* (Interim) Deputy Executive Officerand Chief Operating Officer Past-President Proofreader...... Edward Lee Samuel H. Aronson*, Brookhaven National Laboratory Division, Forum and Section Councilors * Members of the APS Board of Directors APS News (ISSN: 1058-8132) is published 11X yearly, Subscriptions: APS News is an on-membership publica- (Retired) Miriam Forman (Astrophysics); Timothy Gay* monthly, except the August/September issue, by the tion delivered by Periodical Mail Postage Paid at Col- (Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics); Jose Onuchic American Physical Society, One Physics Ellipse, Col- lege Park, MD and at additional mailing offices. 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Michael Tuts (Particles correspondence regarding APS News should be directed Coden: ANWSEN ISSN: 1058-8132 & Fields); Thomas Roser (Physics of Beams); Cary to: Editor, APS News, One Physics Ellipse, College General Councilors Forest (Plasma); Mark Ediger (Polymer Physics); Nan Park, MD 20740-3844, Email: [email protected]. Marcelo Gleiser, Nadya Mason, Gail McGlaughlin*, Phinney* (California Section); Carlos Wexler (Prairie Bonnie Flemming Section) March 2016 • 3 Disentangling the World of Science Policy Washington Dispatch By Sophia Chen was talking about it,” she says. “I Fellowship. He now works as a pro- Since 2014, a group of Harvard wanted to look into it more.” gram director at NSF. “It’s easy to POLICY UPDATE graduate students has taken an By delving into the funding pro- complain about how dysfunctional FEDERAL BUDGET annual trip to Washington DC for cess and then taking the trip, she the government is or how things President Obama’s budget request, released on February 9, 2016, adheres a three-day whirlwind introduction learned about the hidden structure aren’t working, but if you don’t to the two-year discretionary spending caps the White House and Con- to scientists working in government. that props up the ivory tower: the educate yourself, it’s even harder gress had negotiated last fall. To try to circumvent those caps, the Around ten participants, who come work of science lobbyists, Congres- to change.” But academic culture treats president would establish “mandatory” accounts that require action by from a variety of science disci- sional staff, and numerous other policy work as a side interest, congressional authorizers and tax writers. His proposal is unlikely to plines, tour federal agencies such government employees who advo- cate for and inform policy makers says Nicole Bedford, a Harvard generate much enthusiasm from lawmakers who are seeking ways to as the Department of Defense, the about academic research. “In phys- biology graduate student who is reduce the upward trajectory of mandatory accounts, which include Social National Science Foundation, and ics in particular, as a community, organizing this year’s trip in early Security, Medicare and Medicaid. In fact, House and Senate Republican the Food and Drug Administration, and speak to Ph.D. scientists about we tend to believe that we’re doing April. “The reward structure is not leaders have refused to allow administration officials to testify on behalf their work. this fundamental research, and that present,” she says. “The system of the White House budget. That denial is almost unprecedented, and it The immediate goal for the trip, the integrity of it alone will get us rewards highly focused individu- serves notice that Congress has little interest in the presidential request. organized by Harvard’s science pol- by,” she says. This attitude, in which als, and not necessarily people with icy graduate student group, is for researchers take the taxpayer’s a breadth of experience. Ph.D. stu- The accompanying tables illustrate the winners and losers under both the students to learn about career compliance for granted, isn’t sus- dents are dissuaded from working presidential scenarios. The tables use the following acronyms and des- alternatives to academia. But their tainable, she says. “The caveat is, in policy because it’s thought of as ignations. Department of Defence (DOD) RDT&E: Defense Research, underlying motivation is to figure the second that people stop believ- time taken away from doing basic research. [Policy experience] could Development, Testing and Evaluation; DOD 6.1: Basic Research; 6.2; out their public responsibility as sci- ing it’s worthwhile, they’re not be considered a holistic part of your Applied Research; 6.3: Advanced Technology Development; DOE: Depart- entists in a changing society of new going to fund us.” technology and global problems. Certainly many scientists are training.” To shift the culture, Bed- ment of Energy; ARPA-E: Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy; ford suggests that university hiring EERE: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy; ASCR: Advanced Scien- Julia Gonski first became inter- aware of the advocacy and politics that keep the research engine oiled. committees could give candidates tific Computing Research; BES: Basic Energy Sciences; BER: Biological ested in the policy side of science during her senior year in college, But they usually develop this aware- with science policy experience and Environmental Research; FES: Fusion Energy Sciences; HEP: High after she received the NSF Gradu- ness later in their career, when they some credit for these pursuits Energy Physics. ate Research Fellowship to work need to apply for grants. Younger instead of considering only their on a particle physics experiment at scientists like Gonski have to take publication records. For next month’s trip, in addi- Absent a “mandatory” spending workaround, most science spending would the Large Hadron Collider. Gon- the initiative to learn about it. tion to learning about the policy either decline or remain relatively flat. The Department of Energy (DOE) ski, a second-year Harvard physics “Maybe having a seminar on graduate student who went on it at university is a good idea,” relevant to basic research, Bedford Office of Science, the DOE EERE account, and the DOE “ARPA-E” pro- is also interested in how basic sci- gram would be exceptions, as would the National Institute of Standards the DC trip last year, wanted to says Franklin Carrero-Martínez, understand how the agency chose a former biology professor who ence gets translated into useful (NIST) Scientific and Technical Research and Services (STRS) and the her proposal out of a pool of over worked in the Department of State language for policy makers, espe- DOD Applied Research (6.2) programs. 10,000 others. “Once that curtain through the American Association cially concerning climate change. was pulled back, it was so inter- for the Advancement of Science “There are so many interest groups Discretionary Spending Only Agency and Sub-­‐Account FY 16 Enacted ($M) FY 17 Request ($M) % Change esting and important, and no one (AAAS) Science and Technology POLICY continued on page 7 DOD RDT&E 20,223 20,457 1.2 6.1 697.0 631.0 -­‐9.5 6.2 1,668 1,773 6.3 6.3 3,144 3,191 1.5 DOE 29,603 30,240 2.2 ARPA-­‐E 291.0 350.0 20.3 EERE 2,069 2,898 40.1 Office of Science 5,347 5,572 4.2 The Call of the Caves ASCR 621.0 663.2 6.8 By Alaina G. Levine BES 1,849 1,937 4.8 BER 609.0 661.9 8.7 For Matt Covington, the call FES 438.0 398.2 -­‐9.1 HEP 795.0 818.0 2.9 of the caves was stronger than the

NP 617.1 635.7 3.0 pull of the cosmos. Educated as an Jason Gulley NNSA 12,526 12,884 2.9 astrophysicist with a Ph.D. from NASA 19,285 18,282 -­‐5.2 the University of California, Santa Science 5,589 5,303 -­‐5.1 Cruz, he originally chose the subject NIH 32,311 31,311 -­‐3.1 for its job security. “I didn’t want NIST 964.0 1,015 5.3 to be flipping burgers the rest of STRS 690.0 730.5 5.9 my life so maybe I should go into CRF 119.0 95.0 -­‐20.2 NSF 7,464 7,564 1.3 grad school for physics,” he recalls R&RA 6,034 6,079 0.7 thinking. EHR 880.0 898.9 2.1 And yet, his love of nature was MREFC 200.3 193.1 -­‐3.6 originally nurtured by access to inner space. He grew up in Arkan- sas, where the limestone bedrock breeds an abundance of caves, and Discretionary Plus Mandatory Spending Agency and Sub-­‐Account FY 16 Enacted ($M) FY 17 Request ($M) % Change in fact the state is internationally DOD RDT&E 20,223 20,457 1.2 known by cavers and cave scientists 6.1 697.0 631.0 -­‐9.5 alike for its underground laborato- Matt Covington, pictured above in a glacier cave in Svalbard, Norway, uses 6.2 1,668 1,773 6.3 ries. Covington had been exploring his physics training in exploring and understanding caves. 6.3 3,144 3,191 1.5 caves there since he was a child, and hydrogeology, and another to spend from reality,” who just randomly DOE 29,603 30,240 2.2 he kept his eyes peeled for oppor- two years at the Karst Research decided to ditch galaxies for sta- ARPA-­‐E 291.0 500.0 71.8 EERE 2,069 4,233 104.6 tunities where his craving for caves Institute in Postojna, Slovenia, lactites and stalagmites, he notes. Office of Science 5,347 5,672 6.1 could turn into a career. where he examined geomorphology. His cave expertise, coupled with ASCR 621.0 663.2 6.8 While his sights were set on the Both institutes are in regions which his postdoc appointments, enabled BES 1,849 1,937 4.8 stars, he noticed something about have fantastic cave systems. “Now I him to compete at the same level as BER 609.0 661.9 8.7 his attitude. “I enjoyed astrophysics have to be careful that I don’t work Ph.D. geologists for jobs. Today he FES 438.0 398.2 -­‐9.1 but wasn’t passionate about it,” he too hard,” he jests, “because I just is assistant professor of geosciences HEP 795.0 818.0 2.9 at the University of Arkansas, where NP 617.1 635.7 3.0 says. “I would do my work and then want to work all the time.” University Grants 0.0 100.0 go caving.” One day, as is known Covington stresses that his he had received his undergraduate NNSA 12,526 12,884 2.9 to happen, “it hit me,” he says. “I transition from astrophysics to degree. NASA 19,285 19,025 -­‐1.3 was sitting in a seminar on galaxy speleophysics wasn’t smooth. Ok — so what the heck does a Science 5,589 5,601 0.2 formation … and I wondered if this “When I started I had little knowl- cave physicist do? Geomorphology, NIH 32,311 33,136 2.6 could be used to study caves.” edge of the scientific literature, hydrogeology, and mathematical NIST 964.0 1,015 5.3 but knew a lot about caves,” he models of physical processes all STRS 690.0 730.5 5.9 He stuck with his doctoral stud- CRF 119.0 95.0 -­‐20.2 ies, wrote two NSF proposals for says. Despite this lack of formal take a starring role in the field. NSF 7,464 7,964 6.7 postdoc fellowships in cave geo- education, his intimate familiarity “The study of landscape evolution R&RA 6,034 6,425 6.5 physics, and both were funded. with cave environments gave him is vital,” says Covington. “There’s a EHR 880.0 952.9 8.3 Covington used one fellowship something no degree could ever push to develop mechanistic models MREFC 200.3 193.1 -­‐3.6 to spend a year at the University provide — street cred in the geol- for studying landscape develop- of Minnesota Twin Cities, where ogy community. “It wasn’t like I ment, so there’s good interplay DISPATCH continued on page 6 he worked on issues pertaining to was some physicist totally detached CAVES continued on page 6 4 • March 2016

SCANDALS continued from page 1 WAVES continued from page 1 molecular biologist Jason Lieb cerns about harassment or other two observatories, located in Han- Some LIGO team members of finding the elusive signals. Dur- resigned in February after he was inappropriate behavior. Additional ford, Washington and Livingston, say the signal initially struck them ing LIGO’s previous run, from 2002 found to have harassed students. APS staff present at the meetings Louisiana. as too good to be true. And since to 2010, the collaboration came “I think most women in the field will receive basic information on That observation has left scien- LIGO’s process includes “blind up empty-handed. Currently, the would say it’s a serious problem,” what to do if an attendee approaches tists stunned. “My jaw dropped,” injections” — test signals planted detector’s sensitivity to binary says APS CEO Kate Kirby. “I think them with a complaint, including says Emanuele Berti of the Uni- in the data that only a few collabora- neutron star mergers is improved most women would say that they’ve directing the person to APS staff versity of Mississippi, who was not tion members know about — it well over its previous incarnation by a experienced harassment, inappro- that have received the harass- involved in the experiment. “The could have been. “I thought it had to factor of three to five, says Bar- priate comments, and inappropriate ment training. Session chairs at significance of the detection is so be an injection; it was so beautiful,” ish. Eventually, the sensitivity will behaviors.” Also, the leadership of the meetings will receive written high that it’s extremely unlikely that says John Veitch of the University reach a factor-of-ten improvement some APS divisions has raised con- instructions. this is not a binary black hole signal. of Birmingham. But collaboration — increasing the rate of binary neu- cerns about harassment with APS Unfortunately, there’s little data ... Never would I have thought in leaders quickly confirmed that it tron star mergers LIGO can detect my life that I would see a signal was not a drill. senior management. on sexual harassment specific to by a factor of 1000, by effectively that clear so early.” The researchers estimate that the APS efforts to address harass- physics, says Lauren Aycock, a allowing LIGO to peer further out “I’m totally beside myself,” says black holes’ masses were 36 and ment include a code of conduct graduate student at Cornell and the in space. for APS meetings, approved in Clifford Will of the University of 29 times the mass of the Sun, and Joint Quantum Institute at the Uni- Several planned gravitational November 2015. The code states, Florida, Gainesville, who was not pegged them at a distance of 1.3 versity of Maryland. To try to get a wave observatories, including in part, that all participants “will involved in the experiment. “It’s billion light years from Earth. When better handle on how prevalent such Advanced Virgo in Italy, will soon conduct themselves in a profes- tremendously exciting. I actually these two behemoths combined, issues are in the physics commu- form a network of detectors along sional manner that is welcoming was shown the paper a couple of their coalescence was so intense nity, Aycock worked with APS to with LIGO, allowing physicists to to all participants and free from any include questions about harassment weeks ago, and I’m still excited that it radiated away 3 solar masses form of discrimination, harassment, two weeks later.” worth of energy in gravitational more accurately pinpoint sources on a survey taken by participants in on the sky, and point telescopes in or retaliation.” the Society’s recent Conference for Each LIGO observatory boasts waves, leaving behind a black hole the direction of candidates to look The code lays out consequences Undergraduate Women in Physics. a pair of four-kilometer-long arms 62 times the mass of the Sun. arranged in an L to form an enor- “There’s really no doubt that this for corresponding electromagnetic for transgressions. “Violations of In preliminary, unpublished results mous interferometer. In the absence is a real detection, a real signal,” signals. “We can start seeing the this code of conduct policy should from that survey, shared in an inter- of gravitational waves, the light says Will. “They do a very careful universe and listening to it at the be reported to meeting organizers, view with APS News, Aycock found from a laser travels the same dis- job of worrying about any kind of same time,” says Chiara Mingarelli APS staff, or the APS Director of that about half of the undergraduate tance along each arm, and the beams issues that might have fooled them.” of Caltech. Meetings. Sanctions may range women stated they had witnessed from the two arms interfere destruc- The discovery of the system and In fact, LIGO and Virgo are from verbal warning, to ejection inappropriate comments “often” or tively when they meet at the arms’ its merger is significant in itself, from the meeting without refund, to “sometimes.” And about half said already working as a team and intersection, so that no light reaches affirming the power of gravitational notifying appropriate authorities.” that they had personally experi- collaborating on data analysis, so a detector that monitors the beam. waves to unlock new secrets of The full code of conduct is available enced such conduct. “To me, this members of the Virgo collabora- But when a gravitational wave the cosmos. The result shows that at go.aps.org/1T54Ycv is saying ‘This is a problem and we tion were also listed as authors on “I think it’s just incredibly impor- passes through the observatory, it binary black holes can form and should address it,’” Aycock says. the paper. tant that we make sure that people will ever-so-slightly lengthen one merge — something predicted but The APS Committee on the Sta- Although the result is the first are able to practice physics without arm and shorten the other, prevent- never before seen. tus of Women in Physics (CSWP) direct detection of gravitational being bullied, harassed, or made to ing the full cancellation of the two Additionally, the merging black has formed a three-person sub- waves, physicists have long been feel uncomfortable,” Kirby says. beams, letting light through to the holes are more massive than most committee tasked with studying confident in their existence, per- “We have to establish — especially detector and producing a signal. “stellar mass” black holes, and also harassment issues and considering suaded by indirect evidence gleaned at our meetings — an environment LIGO is designed to catch length much smaller than the supermassive how APS should respond to reports from long-term observation of a where people feel safe and can ben- differences a billionth the size of black holes found at the centers of of harassment. The subcommittee pulsar — a rapidly rotating neutron efit from participating fully.” an atom. galaxies, which can have masses will formulate recommendations star that appears to pulse regu- APS senior management is now LIGO’s two separate obser- billions of times that of the Sun. But that they will bring to the full larly — in a binary system. Over getting legal advice on what actions vatories help to rule out spurious there is a no-man’s-land between CSWP in early March, and then to decades, analysis of the pulses’ tim- the Society can and should take signals from the local environment, the two groups, with the stellar mass APS leadership. “We’re really try- ing revealed a slow but steady loss upon accusations of harassment. which can be caused by events as black holes topping out around 15 ing to both understand the scope of of energy, at just the rate expected “I think APS needs to be prepared innocuous as a truck rumbling by, or 20 times the mass of the Sun, to handle whatever comes,” says the problems and understand what or ocean waves crashing on the says Berti. The result shows that for the emission of gravitational Kirby. “I’m very concerned with the possible interventions are at this shore. Gravitational wave signals more massive black holes of this waves. The 1974 discovery of this setting up the appropriate due pro- point,” says Patricia Rankin of the should appear in both detectors, size indeed exist. binary pulsar earned its discoverers, cess because it is really important University of Colorado, Boulder, nearly simultaneously. “The motivation wasn’t just to Russell Hulse and Joseph Taylor, for a society to try to treat people the leader of the subcommittee. And that is just what happened. detect gravitational waves and go the 1993 Nobel Prize in physics. fairly in such situations.” Providing a supportive, inclu- Both observatories recorded a sig- home, but the potential to create For years, physicists have specu- The code of conduct is just the sive environment at APS meetings nal (see graph below) consistent a completely new science,” says lated that the first direct detection of first step in addressing harassment is a top priority, Rankin says. “We’ll with predictions for a black hole Barry Barish of Caltech, a mem- gravitational waves will be Nobel- at APS meetings, says APS Direc- be looking at what happens in the merger. In such an event, two black ber of the LIGO collaboration and worthy too. tor of Education and Diversity Ted March and April meetings.” Then, holes rapidly spiral closer and closer 2011 APS president. “This is a With the paper covering only a Hodapp. “The second step is to by the time of the next round of together, until they meet to form a completely different way to look few weeks of operation, and months provide training for all APS staff meetings, in 2017, “We would single black hole, which then under- at the sky.” more of data already in the can, it members and all session chairs to expect to have something which is goes “ringdown” — in analogy to a The researchers also set a bound might not take long for new signals know what to do in case they wit- much more fully developed at that bell ringing after being struck with on the mass of the graviton — the to appear. “They’ll find more stuff,” ness or experience unprofessional point,” Rankin says. In the long a hammer. According to predic- hypothetical particle that transmits says Virginia Trimble of the Uni- behavior.” Such behavior is not term, the subcommittee will also tions, the process should produce the gravitational interaction — and versity of California, Irvine. “The tackle questions of how to investi- limited to sexual harassment, and a telltale “chirp” signal of increas- put general relativity through its next rumor, of course, is events two gate complaints and how to prevent includes other kinds of unprofes- ing frequency. That is exactly what paces by performing consistency and three.” harassment from occurring in the sional conduct, such as yelling at LIGO saw, and the LIGO team is tests, which it passed handily. There’s plenty to come from first place. extremely confident that it is the real LIGO detected a second, less speakers. LIGO, said Kip Thorne of Caltech “I just don’t think we can afford deal: They expect an event like this significant event, which was also Prior to the 2016 March and during the press conference. “It’s to lose people from physics because to appear as a false alarm only once compatible with a binary black April meetings, harassment train- really fantastic; we are going to ing will be provided to APS senior people are behaving inappropri- every 203,000 years. hole merger. But, “My feeling is have a huge richness of gravita- management, certain APS Educa- ately,” says Rankin. “There’s so “It was amazing; this was a gift that it’s not part of the story,” says tional wave signals.” As for what tion and Diversity staff, and all much that is so exciting about of nature. It was not just black holes Barish. “It doesn’t measure to be the new data will bring, “I think APS meetings staff. The training physics that to me it’s a tragedy if but it was a signal we could see by statistically probable enough that we can be rather sure that we will instructs employees how to respond people are dissuaded from coming eye,” LIGO spokesperson Gabriela we should talk about it.” The false see big surprises,” he said. if an attendee at a meeting has con- into physics.” González of Louisiana State Uni- alarm rate for an event like this is versity said at a press conference in once every 2.3 years. For more on the discovery read Washington, DC on February 11, The discovery came on the the Physics Viewpoint by Emanuele noting that the signal was strong heels of a $200-million upgrade to Berti at go.aps.org/20XHwP7 and enough to stick out obviously above the experiment, called Advanced the Physical Review Letters paper the noise. LIGO, intended to boost its chances at go.aps.org/1o7qarw

Nearly simultane- ous signals at the LIGO Observatories clinch the case for Online at: aps.org/apsnews gravitational waves. Right side shows the two signals shifted and super-

Adapted from PRL 116, 061102 (2016). 061102 116, Adapted from PRL imposed. March 2016 • 5 Scientists Discuss the Dangers of Space Weather Education Update By Emily Conover NASA Auroras lit the skies as far Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education south as Cuba on September 1, Created by the APS Committee on Education, the award recognizes 1859. Telegraph systems across departments and programs that support best practices in education at the the globe malfunctioned, spark- undergraduate level. Nominations for the award are being accepted until ing and shocking their operators, July 15. More information can be found at go.aps.org/14l8Qc2 and making transmission impos- sible. The cause was a massive Research mentor training seminar — free guide available geomagnetic storm, known as the The Physics Research Mentor Training Seminar is a facilitation guide to Carrington Event after astronomer an educational seminar for physics faculty, postdocs, and graduate stu- Richard Carrington, who observed dents who are in mentorship roles. It is ideal for Research Experiences an enormous solar flare preceding for Undergraduates programs and can be run as a weekly seminar dur- the events on Earth. ing the summer. The guide is available in pdf format at If a storm of equal strength go.aps.org/physicsmentortraining. occurred in today’s technology- addicted world, it would have APS Speakers Lists features Physics Education catastrophic impacts, said a panel Researchers of space weather experts at the The APS Speakers Lists contain names, contact information, and talk American Association for the titles of physicists who are willing to give talks on a variety of subjects. Advancement of Science (AAAS) Advanced searches allow one to search specifically for physics education Meeting in Washington, DC on researchers. Learn more at aps.org/programs/speakers February 15. “This was by all measures a Huge solar coronal mass ejections hurl plasma into space. These cause The PER User’s Guide: A Web Resource for Physics huge storm,” said Daniel Baker space storms that can wreak havoc on Earth. Educators of the University of Colorado. The PER User’s Guide is a growing web resource designed to translate, “If an event of that size were to may have been even stronger than frequency radio communications, summarize, and organize the results of physics education research (PER) occur today, the effects by most the Carrington event. Luckily for radar and GPS, causing head- in an accessible and useful way for busy educators. Learn more at: estimates would be devastating.” humanity, it missed — but by only aches for industries that rely on perusersguide.org Large regions of the globe could a slim margin. “If this event had these technologies, like airlines. In be plunged into darkness and hob- occurred just a few days earlier, as November 2015, flights in Sweden bled with technology failures, from the Earth was in the line of fire,” disappeared from air traffic con- widespread power outages, to loss said Baker, “I’ve contended that trol screens during a geomagnetic of communication systems, to GPS we would still be picking up the storm. “Is it possible that an event APS Membership Continues to Climb navigation failures, and damage to pieces.” like this can happen in the U.S.? By Emily Conover egory over the past few years, after satellites. Geomagnetic storms can induce We’re not so sure,” said Bill Mur- Blasts of plasma hurled from currents in power lines, wreaking tagh, Director for Space Weather at APS membership increased for the discount was extended from the Sun, known as coronal mass havoc with the electrical grid, and the White House Office of Science the third year in a row, the APS three to five years post-graduation. ejections, can cause geomagnetic potentially burning out transform- and Technology Policy. “We’ve got Membership Department has International membership also storms if the eruption is directed at ers. An extreme solar storm could to be able to answer that question. announced, following its annual increased. Members living outside Earth. Coronal mass ejections can cause the loss of hundreds of ... A loss of our air traffic control count. At the beginning of 2016, the U.S. now make up 24% of the fling billions of tons of material at house-sized transformers, Baker over the United States for any num- APS hit a record high of 53,099 Society, up from 23% last year. speeds reaching millions of miles said. Such transformers are difficult ber of hours will quickly result in members — an increase of 1,576 “That’s the highest it’s been since an hour, making them capable of and expensive to replace, and power impacts of hundreds of millions members over last year. The mem- I’ve been here,” says Lettieri, who traveling the distance to Earth in outages could stretch out for weeks, of dollars, and severe disruption bership boost came mostly from has been with APS for over two as little as half a day. months, or even years, Baker said, to our economy.” students and early career members. decades. Just this kind of blast occurred as damaged equipment is restored Scientists are working to pre- “We offer a lot at our meetings But not all membership cat- in July 2012 — a powerful coronal and the grid is brought back up. dict the chances of a catastrophic for students, and in particular under- egories have grown. “For me the concern is — and has been for a mass ejection, which was observed Recovery costs have been estimated storm hitting Earth. Pete Riley of grads, and I think we’re doing a by NASA’s STEREO A spacecraft. to run into the trillions of dollars. better job communicating that,” number of years — the slow decline Had it hit Earth, the resulting storm The storms can disrupt high- WEATHER continued on page 6 says APS Director of Member- of the regular member category,” ship Trish Lettieri. In particular, Lettieri says. Regular member- the Conferences for Undergradu- ships dropped by 629 members, ate Women in Physics (CUWiP) from 21,722 last year to 21,093 at are a significant and relatively new the beginning of 2016. In coming source of student members. Addi- years, Lettieri hopes that some of International News tionally, students receive one year the early career members will move of free membership in APS, and on to become regular members after An International Cosmic Observatory Launches a New Field of Physics students who join the Society of their five years are up. By Maria Spiropulu Physics Students can also choose to To maintain steady membership I started writing this some time designed, built, and run on different refer actually to two things: the join APS as part of their member- growth, APS is working to better before the Laser Interferometer continents, countries, planets — or LIGO Scientific Collaboration ship. Much of the growth occurred serve its members, Lettieri says. Gravitational-wave Observatory outer space for that matter, with (LSC), and the LIGO Laboratory. in these categories. Overall, stu- “We continue to try and run pro- (LIGO) discovery announcement the participation of thousands of The LIGO Laboratory is jointly dent memberships increased from grams that benefit our early career (see article on p.1), and my main people and hundreds of nations and managed by Caltech and MIT and 17,002 last year to 18,716 in 2016. members and students. But we’re theme was the excitement and governments. operates the LIGO facilities: the Early-career membership, also focusing on better commu- challenges of seeding new inter- We started a very productive twin interferometers that constitute which is offered at a reduced price, nicating to the membership and national science projects around discussion at the invited sessions the gravitational wave observatory increased by 508 members this year, engaging people onsite at APS the world. In addition, I was inter- of the APS Forum on Interna- at Hanford, Washington, and Liv- continuing steady gains in that cat- meetings.” ested in probing existing models tional Physics at the 2015 April ingston, Louisiana. They are funded of international collaboration and Meeting, where we explored big by the U.S. National Science Foun- in discussing the impact of global science partnerships around the dation (NSF), and were conceived, APS Membership Increases 2013-2016 science engagement, both in terms world with a focus on high energy built, and operated by Caltech and of knowledge advancement and in physics, nuclear physics and energy, MIT. 55,000 terms of accelerated development astronomy and cosmology, and last, Advanced LIGO — a major and growth of societies worldwide. but by no means least, gravity. The upgrade to the sensitivity of the But after February 11, I decided to discussion will continue again this instruments compared to the first 53,000 change my focus. I’ll explain why year at the Forum’s sessions in the generation LIGO detectors — began later in the article. 2016 March and April meetings. scientific operations in September The science communities across However, on February 11, 2015. Funded in large part by NSF, 51,000 the globe have already established a monumental discovery was with contributions from the Max Brobdingnagian projects – immense announced: the observation of Planck Society in Germany, the in financial investment, scale, peo- gravitational waves at LIGO. As a Science and Technology Facilities 49,000 ple and countries involved, and in result, I felt compelled to take this Council in the UK, and the Austra- overall complexity. In 2012 we great opportunity to reflect on how lian Research Council, Advanced witnessed an example of an unprec- the unachievable, the impossible, LIGO led to the discovery of 47,000 edented science effort bear fruit the unthinkable, the Mars-shot in gravitational waves. The mission with the fundamental discovery of science, is actually carried out and of LIGO was always to open a new the Higgs boson at the LHC. It is accomplished in the context of field of experimental science: that 45,000 2013 2014 2015 2016 important to investigate and study international collaboration. how such projects are envisioned, When we talk about LIGO we LIGO continued on page 7 6 • March 2016

WEATHER continued from page 5 Predictive Science, a space weather fit the observed storm Dst data to take notice, said Murtagh. “For The need to understand space prepare for and protect against their research company, pegs the proba- a variety of models — includ- someone to suggest we could have weather reaches well beyond the effects, refine predictions of their bility of a Carrington-strength event ing power law, log-normal, and power outage for an extended typical science policy players (like potential impacts on infrastructure, or worse over the next decade at stretched exponential distributions period, as in months, in a large part NASA, the National Science Foun- improve the understanding and fore- around ten percent. But, he said dur- — to calculate the probability of an of this nation, that changed the pic- dation, and the National Oceanic casting of space weather events, and ing the AAAS session, “There are extreme storm. For the power law ture, that changed the landscape and Atmospheric Administration) increase international cooperation. large uncertainties associated with distribution, they found a 10 percent altogether.” to the Department of Homeland The action plan lays out specific that number, and that is at least an probability of a strong storm within As a result, in November Security, the Federal Emergency steps for agencies to take towards equally important message to com- the next decade, but when uncer- 2014, the National Science and Management Agency, and the reaching these goals. municate as the actual value itself.” tainties are considered, this number Technology Council (NSTC) National Security Council, among All this will cost money, of The severity of storms can be could range from 1 to 19 percent established the Space Weather others. “It was clear to everybody course. A recent decadal survey ranked by an index of geomagnetic probability, and the numbers vary Operations, Research, and Miti- that we needed a cohesive all-of- from the National Academies sug- activity known as the disturbance with different distributions. gation (SWORM) Task Force to government strategy to ensure the gests that $100 million per year storm time index (Dst). To make The dire warnings about such develop a space weather prepared- federal government was positioned should be spent on space weather their estimate, Riley and colleagues events convinced Washington to ness strategy. to manage these big space weather over the next ten years. President events,” said Murtagh. Obama’s 2017 budget request In October 2015, NSTC released includes $10 million for NASA’s WITTEN continued from page 1 the National Space Weather Strategy support of the space weather an annual award for APS.” Among Olympic Medical’s rep- ests since his undergraduate days. and National Space Weather Action action plan. Jones became interested in phys- ertoire of medical devices were But he retained his appreciation Plan developed by SWORM. The “Fortunately,” said Murtagh, “in ics in high school, and he studied tools for the treatment of jaundice for the subject. “I think science first document lays out six goals: space weather there’s no real poli- the subject as an undergraduate at in infants. Jaundice is a condition and particularly physics is really understand the magnitude and fre- tics; both sides of the House and Northwestern University. But after caused by a buildup of bilirubin of cumulative, lasting benefit,” he quency of space weather events, both sides of the Senate are keen finishing his degree, he went on to — a normal breakdown prod- said. Jones approached APS about fortify the country’s capability to to work together to do something become an entrepreneur, founding uct of red blood cells. Scientists setting up a program to honor basic recover after geomagnetic storms, about this issue.” Olympic Medical Corporation in discovered that exposure to blue research in physics. The APS Medal 1959. The company manufactured light helps reduce bilirubin levels. was the result. medical equipment, specializing in Now, babies are placed under blue Jones contributed $1 million DISPATCH continued from page 3 devices for neonatal care. Natus lights to treat the condition. “It’s to endow the prize, along with the Medical Incorporated purchased a revolution. Today it’s routinely pledge of an additional $1 million the company in 2006. treated, but before, babies were donation from the Jay and Mary Jayne WASHINGTON OFFICE ACTIVITIES “I’ve always had a great deal of dying from it,” Jones says. “We Jones Charitable Remainder Trust. CONGRESSIONAL VISITS DAY respect for science and I believe were the principal manufacturers Jones notes that his training in On January 28, 2016, 40 physicists from across the country went to that science basically is the driv- of what are called ‘phototherapy physics assisted his work with engi- Capitol Hill on Congressional Visits Day to meet with the staff of 63 offices ing force behind human progress in lights’ in the nurseries.” neers employed by the company. of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. This group of physicists, civilization,” Jones told APS News. Jones says he’s “not a physics “Every product had to be engi- featuring APS unit leaders and APS president-elect Laura Greene, met “I think science is what really leads buff,” as he has been occupied neered, so a background in physics with congressional staff to discuss American science leadership, funding us forward.” with his business and other inter- was very helpful to me.” of scientific research, and STEM education. Comments from participants after the meetings provided evidence of how important conversations with CAVES continued from page 3 policy makers can be in motivating members of Congress to prioritize between geology and physics.” what controls that width. Can we ing in and swimming under water science issues. His research group focuses on piece together the story of a cave’s for 10 – 15 minutes, they were the karst terrains, which are places development by reading the shapes first humans to set up camp on MEDIA UPDATE where dissolution of soluble rock of the cave passages left over time?” the other side of the sump. “I was In the February edition of Capitol Hill Quarterly, U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty plays a major role in the evolution He examines erosion processes, and scared. I was not particularly com- (D-CT) writes about the intersection of scientific research and public of landscapes, the formation of notes that dissolution of rock versus fortable underwater in a cave and I policy. The piece notes, “…as our economy’s growth increasingly relies caves, and, ultimately the routing mechanical erosion of rock com- wondered if I had gone too quickly on innovation, scientific research and discovery must drive our national of groundwater, he notes. When a bined with movement of sediment through my training,” he shares. policy agenda.” Read the entire op-ed: go.aps.org/1QZ3gCY cave system interconnects with an can provide clues to the nature of On the other side of the pool in the aquifer, it presents problems, espe- how a cave was formed. cave, he and his friend camped for cially if contaminants are involved. Mathematical models of caves four to five days. “It’s an incred- Panel on Public Affairs “Contaminants move rapidly with- are one thing, but being able to cave ibly memorable feeling.” Beyond Review of APS Statements: Annually, the APS Panel on Public Affairs out filtration,” he explains, “and is quite another, and it is one of the sump were large chambers big (POPA) looks back (in five-year increments) at previously approved state- how and where they go is dependent Covington’s favorite elements of enough to walk through, more tun- ments. The panel reviews statements for clarity, relevance, context, upon the structure of the caves. So his career choice. Some of his most nels and a second sump. While his endurance, and whether each still provides outreach and advocacy the essential problem is trying to memorable experiences include friend dove through a sump to try opportunities for the Society. In 2016, the following seven APS Statements figure out the structure.” exploring J2, a deep cave at the to find the way onward, Covington are up for review by POPA: 06.3 Career Options for Physicists; 06.2 The cave is made up of pores bottom of a sinkhole in southern sat alone in pitch black darkness for Advocacy for Science Education; 01.2 Assessment and Science; 91.5 in-between and inside rocks, and Mexico that he helped investigate 20 minutes. He felt totally cut off. the way water flows through these in 2004. As he describes it, the area His friend had some of the diving Reaffirmation of Statement on Scientific Review of Research Facilities systems is dependent upon numer- was ripe for caves. “We were walk- equipment that Covington needed to Funding; 06.1 The Use of Nuclear Weapons; 01.1 Security and Science ous factors, including the position ing around in the jungle looking for exit the cave, and the nearest other at the Weapons Laboratories; and 96.2 Energy: The Forgotten Crisis. of the individual cavities, the posi- holes.” Another team had already people were three days travel and tion of the cave itself in the rock, identified some possibilities. “It is an underwater tunnel away. But that Physics & the Public Subcommittee: A survey, conducted by the and how big the holes are, among a slow and painstaking process” is just part of being a cave scientist. American Institute of Physics at POPA's request, focused on overcoming many other elements. As a cave to find a cave. After identifying a Covington could have been a the obstacles of recruiting teachers in the physical sciences. The POPA physicist, Covington has to take possible opening, the mapping and geologist, but if he had the choice to study committee has begun to examine the data and expects to report its a holistic view of the entire cave exploring begin. travel through time and change his findings and recommendations later this year. system in order to map its compo- Over three years, the team care- undergraduate major from physics nents, and has to understand how fully, and as safely as possible, to geosciences, he wouldn’t budge. Energy & Environment Subcommittee: A study committee, comprising water shapes and reshapes the cave traversed J2. At one point, they hit “The skills I have now are incred- members from POPA, the American Chemical Society, and the Materials and interacts with the cave’s miner- an area of the cave that was filled ibly useful, and I wouldn’t have als, sediment, and microorganisms. with water. They couldn’t continue been able to get them if I studied Research Society, has been evaluating the long-term challenges of helium He does this by building numerical because they weren’t prepared for geology,” he says. “Also, because supply and pricing. The committee presented its initial findings at POPA's models of fluid flow and transport, diving, but over the next three years, I wasn’t trained in the field I didn’t first meeting of 2016 and is due to deliver a final report on the issue mid- heat exchange, and chemical varia- the team developed new, lighter- come in with biases about caves. year. The Liquid Helium Purchasing Program has expanded and will tions in the underground lairs. “We weight diving technology and I ask different questions than my support users at a total of 19 institutions in its second year of service. In look at how the attributes of the meticulously trained to be able to colleagues do, which allows me to its pilot year, the program saved users 15% on average and enabled cave influence the signals coming dive safely. When they returned to make a novel contribution.” increased reliability in helium delivery. State-based science policy initia- out of it,” he adds. the cave in 2009, they were ready. He is especially drawn to cave tives have also expanded. An internship centered on advancing e-cycling The challenge is the complexity The cave was very remote and large physics as a profession because cav- legislation is in place at Northern Illinois University, based on last year's of the cave system. “You’re never — in fact, they needed three days ing “is something where an average pilot program at the University of Michigan. going to understand the whole just to travel to the sump (the part person with an average budget can thing,” he admits. “Most of the of the cave that was under water). accomplish original exploration,” The Subcommittee is considering a work we’ve done is to simplify.” “It took an entire month just to he says. “It’s really a curiosity that National Security Subcommittee: So Covington’s other focus area carry the stuff we needed from the makes it addictive. The reason I’m proposal for a study on the issues and obstacles associated with the is related to better comprehending entrance of the cave to the sump a caver is the same reason I am a conversion of high-enrichment uranium research reactors to low-enrichment the processes that form caves. He to get started.” Almost 30 people scientist — it’s like a puzzle. It’s uranium reactors. explores different aspects of mature were involved. only when you have that drive of caves. “We look at the width of a His reward for all the time and curiosity that you can be successful APS members can log in and obtain a template for study proposals, along stream in a cave, and seek to answer hard work was priceless: After div- [doing] either science or caving.” with a suggestion box for future POPA studies: go.aps.org/1QBz8DE March 2016 • 7

ANNOUNCEMENTS Reviews of Modern Physics

TM Cavity-based quantum networks with single atoms and optical photons APS seeks a highly respected member of the physics community to serve as Editor in Andreas Reiserer and Gerhard Rempe Chief for all APS journals. Key responsibilities include: A vision has formed in recent years of the components necessary • ensuring the excellence and integrity of APS journal content for a large-scale quantum network. Single trapped atoms can serve • effectively communicating and representing APS journals to a broad range of as the nodes of this network, with the links established by flying photons that are coupled to the atoms using optical resonators. This constituencies review describes progress towards the goal of multinode networks • partnering with APS senior leaders, particularly the Publisher, to articulate and drive using the current generation of experiments, which have achieved a strategic vision for the APS publishing enterprise unprecedented levels of atomic qubit control and light-matter cou- pling efficiencies. Nominations, together with a brief supporting statement, and applications from potential candidates should be sent to [email protected]. journals.aps.org/rmp See the full position description at storbeckpimentel.com/resources/uploads/ institution/APSEiCPD.pdf

POLICY continued from page 3 with so many conflicting points of treat science with unique distrust. who serves a graduate student rep- view,” she says. “It’s super chal- “They’ll say, I’m not a scientist, resentative on the APS Council and lenging to make incredibly complex I can’t do science, I won’t even has lobbied Congress on behalf of phenomena like climate science think about this aspect of a par- the organization, doesn’t expect PhysTEC recognizes the following institutions for graduating 5 or understandable without losing any ticular issue,” Holt says. “Yet they “everybody to want to fly down more well-prepared physics teachers in the past academic year. of the accuracy.” wouldn’t say that about interna- to DC a couple times a year and They are national leaders in addressing the severe nationwide shortage of secondary physics teachers. Science is embedded in so many tional relations. They wouldn’t say, put in the time that we have.” But political issues — climate change, I’m not an expert on those other she does think that scientists need cybersecurity, and nuclear nonpro- countries, or I’m not going to deal to build better awareness about liferation, to name a few — yet so with the parts that deal with public how their work is funded. That The 5+ Club many members of Congress are opinion because I’m not an expert awareness “permeates your entire Brigham Young University (17) resistant to accepting scientific pollster or whatever it is. But with attitude about outreach,” she says, Illinois State University (10) evidence, says Rush Holt, a Ph.D. science, they will say this.” and provides a personal motivation Stony Brook University (8) physicist who served eight terms Ultimately, Holt says, this dis- for scientists to communicate more Arizona State University (6) as a New Jersey congressman from comfort with science reflects a need effectively with the public. 1999 to 2015 and is now CEO of across the country for better sci- Gonski would actually prefer Boston University (6) AAAS. “None of them will say ence training from an early age. to stay in academia after her Ph.D. University of Central Florida (6) publicly they are anti-science, but “More than the facts, procedures, But her budding policy experience Middle Tennessee State University (5) the fact is most of them have grown and instrumentation of science, we has given her a broader perspective. Rowan (5) up in school being told they are need to teach the essence of science, “It’s easy in physics to get caught Towson University (5) not scientists, and therefore they which is collecting and evaluating up with what you’re doing, and University of Arkansas (5) shouldn’t try this at home,” he says. evidence to answer questions,” he it’s fun. It’s a great part of being West Chester University (5) “They become uncomfortable with says. “Then, we need to win the a career scientist,” she says. But Western Michigan University (5) science; they think they can’t do it, trust of the people so that they are equally important, she says, is to and they shouldn’t try. And [scien- willing to accept us as honest bro- take a step back to think about a PhysTEC is led by the American Physical Society and tists] unfortunately make it harder kers of the evidence.” scientist’s relationship with the rest the American Association of Physics Teachers. by saying, in effect, ‘Oh, the public But in the meantime, not all of the world. is just going to mess this up.’” scientists need to work directly in The author is a freelance writer Some policy makers seem to policy to build this trust. Gonski, based in Tucson, Arizona.

LIGO continued from page 5 of gravitational astronomy. On Sep- detector in Italy, and KAGRA in tions, became involved at a critical tember 14, 2015, LIGO obtained Japan. Following the February 11 moment in the development of the compelling evidence that they have announcement, the Indian Cabinet, project. He proceeded (along with done just that. chaired by Prime Minister Modi, other heroes and talented research- But the experimental facilities has granted in-principle approval ers and engineers across many are only part of the story. LSC to the Laser Interferometer Gravi- science disciplines internationally) is responsible for extracting the tational-wave Observatory in India, to build LIGO as a highly complex, science (data analysis strategies, which will be the sixth node of the big science, international project goals, timelines, results dissemi- international gravitational wave net- — now demonstratively success- nation, education and outreach, work. This global web will not only ful. Gabriela González, the LSC and so on) and identifying priori- produce fundamental knowledge spokeswoman, enthusiastically ties for R&D and improvements about our universe — knowledge presented a talk on the vision and of the observatory. It comprises that would be otherwise difficult success behind LIGO and that of 945 members from 15 countries if not impossible to extract — but the international gravitational wave (United States, United Kingdom, will also add further impetus to sci- observatory network in the Mega- Germany, India, Australia, Rus- entific research across the world. It science Global Projects session at sia, Korea, Italy, Hungary, Brazil, will foster communications among the 2016 AAAS meeting. Spain, China, Taiwan, Canada, and the scientists themselves but also Science and technology are what Belgium). The LSC governance among nations and governments, led to our globally connected world 吀栀攀 䄀挀愀搀洀椀攀 搀攀猀 匀挀椀攀渀挀攀猀 搀甀 䰀椀戀愀渀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀 倀栀礀猀椀挀愀氀 principles include two elements funding agencies, and research — a world far more powerful than 匀漀挀椀攀琀礀 愀爀攀 瀀氀攀愀猀攀搀 琀漀 猀甀瀀瀀漀爀琀 愀 瀀爀漀昀攀猀猀漀爀猀栀椀瀀⼀氀攀挀琀甀爀攀猀栀椀瀀 worth noting: (i) no individual or institutions. a set of disconnected nations. It 瀀爀漀最爀愀洀 昀漀爀 瀀栀礀猀椀挀椀猀琀猀 椀渀 䰀攀戀愀渀漀渀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 唀渀椀琀攀搀 匀琀愀琀攀猀⸀ 吀栀攀 group will be denied membership When I recently discussed the will continue being the case that 瀀爀漀最爀愀洀 瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀猀 猀甀瀀瀀漀爀琀 昀漀爀 猀挀椀攀渀琀椀猀琀猀 眀椀猀栀椀渀最 琀漀 瘀椀猀椀琀 漀瘀攀爀猀攀愀猀 on any basis except scientific merit big discovery with my colleague global science collaboration and 琀漀 搀攀氀椀瘀攀爀 愀 猀栀漀爀琀 挀漀甀爀猀攀 漀爀 愀 瀀栀礀猀椀挀猀 氀攀挀琀甀爀攀 猀攀爀椀攀猀 愀琀 愀 甀渀椀瘀攀爀猀椀琀礀 and the willingness to participate Kip Thorne at Caltech, he swiftly worldwide projects will change our 椀渀 琀栀攀 唀⸀匀⸀ 漀爀 䰀攀戀愀渀漀渀⸀ and contribute, and (ii) member mentioned that without LIGO care- perspective of the world, impact our agreements describe scientific, not fully and deliberately morphing into way of thinking and living, and pro- 䄀瀀瀀氀椀挀愀琀椀漀渀猀 䐀甀攀㨀 financial commitments. a “big science” project, the chances duce knowledge-based cooperative 最漀⸀愀瀀猀⸀漀爀最⼀愀瀀猀ⴀ愀猀氀 The collaboration is poised to that it would have achieved success societies of unprecedented capacity. continue growing, as LIGO is only would be much smaller. It was in Maria Spiropulu is a profes- the first node on a powerful network this spirit that Caltech professor sor of physics at the California of gravitational wave detectors Barry Barish, a master not only Institute of Technology and is worldwide. The network includes of scientific judgment, but also of chair of the APS Forum on Inter- GE0600 in Germany, the Virgo forming international collabora- national Physics.