Careers in Research

Kris HagelCyclotron Institute

Texas A & M University

Outline

• Experiments we have been involved in• A flavor for experimental results• Careers in Research

Heavy Ion Research at the Cyclotron Institute

• Heavy Ion reaction mechanisms (local program)– Experiments with a large multi-detector NIMROD– Search for Super Heavy Elements– Data analysis of various experiments

• Ultra-relativistic Heavy Ions (Brookhaven; BRAHMS)– A “small” experiment at RHIC– Properties of matter μs after the Big Bang.

• Laser Physics– d-d fusion– D-3He fusion

NIMROD

Equilibrium Constants

• System starts hot• As it cools, it

expands

Temperatures and Densities

Density dependent binding energies

Symmetry Energies

The Texas Petawatt Laser

Expected fusion reactions:1. D + D T (1.01 MeV) + p (3.02 MeV)

(50%)2. D + D 3He (0.82 MeV) + n (2.45 MeV)

(50%)3. D + 3He 4He (3.6 MeV) + p (14.69 MeV)

(100%)4. D + T 4He (3.5 MeV) + n (14.1 MeV)

(100%)

TAMU-UT Cluster Fusion Laser Experiment

BRAHMS

Some BRAHMS (and RHIC) results

suppression at high pTsignificant medium effectssuppression at high pTsignificant medium effects

Statistical mechanics arguments:Quark Chemistry; Count Quarks

Very Surprising Result:The new matter discovered appearsto be the most perfect liquid ever created.

Small list of possible careers• Academic Research

– Faculty• Requires “balancing” students and research• In many ways is a managerial position (i.e. most of

the time one is directing research rather than doing things yourself)

• Many responsibilities – Department wide, College wide and University wide.

• Many opportunities for advancement– Research Staff

• Balancing act not required as much• Not as much management responsibilities• Responsibilities are more “local”

More research Careers

• Industrial research– Other people much more qualified to discuss

than me.• Doesn’t have to be nuclear physics

– An education in Nuclear physics requires learning so many different things that in the end one is qualified for many different areas.

Advantages of a “Cyclotron Education”

• Smaller research groups– Can interact with everyone on a “first name”

basis• Smaller experiments

– Not so overwhelming to understand– Have opportunity (requirement!) to put hands

on every aspect of the experiment.– Can (must!) do the complete (at least almost)

analysis.• Can be a Fight’n Texas Aggie