Blog 5b: Science Fair Proposal

Topic: Particle Physics

Driving Problem: The Minimal Supersymmetric Model describes 5 physical Higgs Bosons, the lightest being very nearly Standard-Model like and relatively easily located by particle accelerators. Such a particle has been discovered with a mass of 125 GeV. Unfortunately, this so severely constrains the mass spectrum of superparticles it is likely neutralino-only cold dark matter cannot exist.

"...However, the recent evidence from Atlas and CMS on a light Higgs scalar with mass m_h\simeq 125 GeV highly constrains the superparticle mass spectrum, which in turn constrains the neutralino annihilation mechanisms in the early universe. We find that stau and stop co-annihilation mechanisms -- already highly stressed by the latest Atlas/CMS results on SUSY searches -- are nearly eliminated if indeed the light Higgs scalar has mass m_h\simeq 125 GeV. Furthermore, neutralino annihilation via the A-resonance is essentially ruled out in mSUGRA so that it is exceedingly difficult to generate thermally-produced neutralino-only dark matter at the measured abundance."

-Baer, Howard: Vernon Berger and Azer Mustafayev. "Neutralino Dark Matter in mSUGRA/CMSSM with a 125 GeV Light Higgs Scalar." Cornell University Library, 17 Feb. 2012. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. http://arxiv.org/abs/1202.4038

Hypothesis: A mixed-higgsino state is the best candidate to describe the Cold Dark Matter in the universe. 

This problem is extremely complex and very multilayered-first of all, I will be looking for the best Cold Dark Matter model using this 125 GeV Higgs (this is an actual finding from the Large Hadron Collider.) I am going by the Minimal Supersymmetric Model and the Minimal Supergravity Model, not the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Model (in which case the answers would be very different.) I will be using, obviously, data on the Higgs and the top quark from various particle accelerators to find the rough mass of the lightest supersymmetric particle and I will check my answers with various similar studies from other scientists. Then, once I have built my Cold Dark Matter model, I want to construct a hypothetical device to find the sparticles involved. I will research different existing experiments, compare the data they have on WIMP candidates, decide whether to make a direct/indirect detector etc. and go from there. My experiment will be almost purely mathematical. 

Category: Physics 

Blog 9: Working EQ and Possible Answers

(Well, it's late. Oh joy.)

My working EQ during the presentation was "What is the most important unsolved problem between quantum and relativistic physics?"

This is way, way, way too general. All the answers I've found could have essential questions of their own. Now, my topic is technically particle physics, so I'm narrowing down the scope of my EQ considerably, likely to just the Standard Model and just one problem. For instance, if I were to pick quantum gravity, I would have an EQ such as this-"What experiment could most likely uncover the graviton and how?" Or something. I don't know yet. I think it will likely be something about my science project.

So far, I've found quantum gravity, vacuum energy, and the lack of a GUT (Grand Unified Theory) or  a TOE (Theory of Everything) to be the best possible answers. So currently physics has no toes or guts. (Bad pun is bad.)

Blog 8: Rough Draft of Presentation 1

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ds0nboOl_7Ok4Vbcu4Z-L1lgDhaFVAf7Fdwjw-oNI6U/edit

Google docs formats things strangely...

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

Currently, I am taking Physics 132 at Cal Poly Pomona with Professor Jamshid Armamd, as well as the corresponding activity class, 299A, with Linda Shareghi. This is what I plan on using for my 1st independent component. The 132 class meets every Tuesday/Thursday from 2:30 to 3:45, and the activity class meets every Friday from 1:00 to 2:50, to this will more than satisfy the 30-hour work requirement. 

Since this is a foundational physics class, this will help me make sure I am completely comfortable with the basic physical laws so I can tackle the more complex problems in my working EQ, what is the most important unsolved physics problem? For example, we recently covered basic laws of gravity and orbits in class-one of the possible answers to my EQ is a theory of quantum gravity. I can now use my foundational knowledge of these basic laws of gravity and work them into relativity and try and visualize a way in which they could work at the subatomic level. 

I'm not saying this class will make me discover the answer to life, the universe, and everything (which is 42, of course,) but it will certainly help give me a solid foundation to move ahead in the world of physics. 

Blog 6: Second Interview

I will be asking questions along these lines-

How did you find your "niche" in theoretical physics?
Why did you choose to be a theorist instead of an experimentalist?
How does the theory department at Caltech work? Are you split up by discipline-do you only work with the particle physicists? Do you only take on grads and postdocs?
What is your favorite project you are working on right now? Any ones from the past you are particularly proud of?
What sorts of projects have you worked on with the rest of the Caltech theory department?
Does all your work or the work of the department have to be taken to Switzerland* to be tested? If so, do you find it frustrating that the United States has not developed a similar project?
How is working at Caltech different than working at another research institution?

*Large Hadron Collider in Geneva. Currently there is nothing comparable-the United States shut down its particle accelerator, Tevatron, last year due to budget cuts. I fear that science in America is on a very steep decline.

Blog 5a: Science Fair Problem Statement

Project Topic: Theoretical particle physics (simply an excuse to say the word "quark" as much as possible.)

Problem 1: Are supersymmetric (SUSY) particles solid candidates for WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles?) WIMPs are important to us because they may help us understand what dark matter is. SUSY particles are also very important, as they pose possible solutions to imbalances in the Standard Model, such as the hierarchy problem.
Problem 2: If so, what would be the most effective way to find them? Many physicists dismiss the idea of supersymmetry because they have not been found in the Large Hadron Collider yet. However, I do not believe the Large Hadron Collider is equipped to find such particles, as SUSY particles should not interact in the way normal Standard Model particles do (i.e., a squark, or supersymmetric quark, should not behave the same way a normal quark does. It has its own spin, its own mass, etc.) and we already know the LHC is not equipped to find WIMPs (other experiments are attempting it, but the data they have produced thus far is conflicting.)

(Confession-supersymmetry is an excuse to say the word "squark" as much as possible.)

Blog 4: Project Reflection and Working EQ

1: Two great things have happened thus far: the first is that I have established contacts and mentorship opportunities at one of the best research schools in the world-Caltech. The second is that I will soon have the opportunity to talk to a string theorist, which I am very excited for.

2: The Cosmic Landscape by the illustrious Leonard Susskind has been tremendously helpful-Susskind goes over a variety of interrelated topics and also relates physics concepts to fields outside the realm. The book is very clear and uses a lot of examples for very complex topics, which will be helpful when I give my two hour.

3. So far, what has worked the best for me is using primarily print resources for my research. Books work the best as it is very easy to find the content one is looking for, and they are much, much more detailed than most Web articles, which are typically too simplified to be helpful in is topic. I will be looking into science journals to help me along as well.

4. What hasn't worked is the note taking and the Working Bibliography. I am finding the WB to be very confusing due to the way I have gone about conducting my research. In addition, as I am not generally a note-taker, I can't seem to find a note-taking style that fits the requirements and will actually be helpful for me. So far, I am finding the notes to be a distraction and a waste of time.

5. The first question is a possible EQ question-what is the most important unsolved physics problem? Pursuing that will help me narrow down the field and get to a good place at the end of the year. I hope this project will lead to my writing (and perhaps publishing) my first paper. It's doable-Albert Einstein was also 17 when he published his first paper. Not that I'm comparing myself to Einstein. I can actually comb my hair. Well, I am really looking forward to talking to Professor Vatche Saharkian (the string theorist) from Harvey Mudd. Also there is a Nobel Prize winner (David Politzer) at the theory department at Caltech. I will try to sneak my way into a conversation with him when the school year starts.