SRC-REU Projects for 2008

Below is a brief description of possible research projects and mentors for the SRC-REU summer 2008 program. Applicants will be asked to rank their interest in the different projects.

  1. REU program Summer 2008 x-ray absorption spectromicroscopy, Dr. Mike Abrecht, Synchrotron Radiation Center.

    The student will participate in X-ray PhotoElectron Emission spectroMicroscopy (XPEEM) experiments with SRC staff scientist Mike Abrecht and perform on-going studies on bio- minerals with him (possibly on nacre, a remarkable material produced by sea shells). The student is then expected to apply the acquired expertise of this combined imaging/ spectroscopy technique to his/her own separate project, and study the structure, chemical composition and/or oxidation states at the sub-micron level of sample(s) of interest.


  2. FTIR Microspectroscopy Studies in Cell Biology, Dr. Carol Hirschmugl, UW-Milwaukee - Physics http://www.phys.uwm.edu/department/faculty/chirschmugl.html

    The student will apply fourier transform infrared (micro) spectroscopy to a central problem in cell biology; the strategies adopted by cells (in this case algal cells) to allocate and partition their resource in response to changes in the environment. The student will learn how to prepare samples, measure spectra, analyze data, and learn how to search for the relevant reference material to understand where their results from the project fit with respect to other work in the field.


  3. A Laboratory Search for the Carrier Molecules of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands, Dr. James Lawler, UW-Madison Physics Department

    This new Visible-UltraViolet absorption experiment will produce some of the first low-temperature gas phase spectra of large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).  A broad survey of many PAHs will test the widely hypothesized connection between PAHs and the Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs), a group of over 300 unidentified absorption features seen throughout the Interstellar Medium in outer space.  Though the DIBs were first observed in 1922, their origins remain unknown.


  4. Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Biomolecules at Surfaces, Dr. Franz Himpsel, UW-Madison Physics Department

    Connecting a patterned silicon substrate with bio-molecules opens many new possibilities for combining nanostructures with biochemistry. For example, it is important for making bio-sensors to know how to make silicon bio-compatible and how to attach proteins to such a surface. The student will work to identify the bonding and orientation of biomolecules at such interfaces with near edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS) at the SRC. This is a collaboration with the MRSEC nano-center in Madison.   
    Web: http://uw.physics.wisc.edu/~himpsel/bio.html      
    An overview of the method: http://uw.physics.wisc.edu/~himpsel/430_cjc.pdf


  5. Applications of VUV Radiation on Silicon Wafers. Dr. Leon Shohet, UW-Madison-Electrical Engineering
    http://www.engr.wisc.edu/ece/faculty/shohet_juda.html

    It is hypothesized that exposure of electronic materials to VUV during processing has the potential to beneficially deplete deposited charge, which may ultimately lead to improvements in integrated circuit manufacture. The student will expose electronic materials to VUV using synchrotron radiation. In addition, the student will use a plasma discharge for simultaneous VUV and plasma exposure, which is part of manufacturing processes and key in proving the hypothesis. The student will also learn how to use Kelvin probes and atomic force microscopy.


  6. Electronic Structure of Organic Thin Film Semiconductors. Dr. Hartmut Höchst, Synchrotron Radiation Center

    Organic semiconductors are promising materials for the development of novel electronic devices such as flexible computer displays, electric wallpaper, paint or spray on solar cells, and other large scale electronics. During the course of this program the student will fabricate thin film, organic semiconductors on a variety of substrates and characterize the electronic properties of the organic semiconductor, and the organic semiconductor-substrate interface by analyzing angle resolved photoemission spectra (ARPES). Additionally, the student will gain valuable experience working with ultra high vacuum components, sophisticated scientific equipment, advanced scientific methods and data analysis software.


  7. Studies of the Physics of Free Electron Lasers and Superconducting Accelerator Drivers. Joseph Bisognano/Robert Bosch, Synchrotron Radiation Center

    Fundamental questions in particle beam and FEL physics will be explored using advanced computer simulation techniques. The student will work to understand numerically the fundamental physics. S/he will be asked to think critically about the computer results, including analytical and experimental benchmarking to ensure that what is being seen is physics and not numerical artifacts.


  8. Beam Physics Diagnostics Improving Storage Ring Performance. Joseph Bisognano/Ken Jacobs, Synchrotron Radiation Center

    To improve the photon beam quality of the SRC storage ring, the student will investigate what factors presently limit performance by measuring electron beam and storage ring properties under varying experimental conditions. Data analysis will be performed by the student to understand what are the underlying phenomena that affect the storage ring and make specific recommendations for accelerator upgrades.