We have a few professors taking applications for summer research.

Dr. Hinkel

I’m looking for summer research students interested in analyzing Gaia Space Telescope data for various Galactic structures.  We will be looking at bending waves in the Milky Way as well as clustering on various scales.  Some experience with Python or C++ is required.  

Dr. Gosnell

Modeling photometry of multi-temperature surfaces of sub-subgiant stars:

Sub-subgiant stars are subgiant stars (stars evolving from the main sequence to the giant branch) that are under-luminous due to high amounts of magnetic activity as evidenced by a large portion of the surface of the star being covered in star spots. Currently, observations and models for these stars do not agree. Students on this project will work with pre-calculated stellar evolution models to determine how to transform these models into synthetic observed photometry, and ultimately will compare the synthetic photometry to observations. Some experience with Python is required (all students who have completed PC 253: Computational Physics would meet this requirement, but the requirement can be met through other experience as well). No previous research experience is required but demonstrated work experience is a plus. Presentation of a poster at a national astrophysics meeting is expected.

Dr. Light:

Our lab uses atmospheric pressure plasma jets to investigate the interactions between cold plasma and water, with and without contaminants. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in ground and surface water is difficult and expensive to remove because of the small concentrations deemed dangerous (ppt) and strength of the C-F bond.  Non-thermal plasma is one of very few technologies that has the potential to break apart PFAS molecules and mineralize the fluorine in an energy efficient way.  The projects below are part of the effort to understand and optimize PFAS breakdown using plasma.

• Detection of solvated electrons at the water/plasma interface:
  Students on this project will validate a prototype laser diagnostic to measure the concentration of dissolved electrons produced by a plasma jet impinging on a water surface.  Depending on individual interest and experience, tasks involved may include optical layout, selection of components, computer-aided design (3D CAD), machining, use of benchtop electronics, operation of plasma sources, chemical assays, and more.  No research experience is required to begin work on this project.  Demonstrated work experience in any occupation is a plus.  Presentation of a poster at a national plasma physics meeting is expected.
• Fast interferometry for plasma density measurement:
  Students on this project will use an optical interferometer to measure time-resolved electron density in an atmospheric pressure plasma jet.  Depending on individual interest and experience, tasks involved may include data acquisition, computational processing, use of benchtop electronics, operation of plasma sources, and more.  No research experience is required to begin work on this project, but PC242, equivalent coursework, or other prior exposure to optical interference is necessary.  Demonstrated work experience in any occupation is a plus.  Presentation of a poster at a national plasma physics meeting is expected.

If you are interested in any of these, please fill out this form in addition to submitting your CV to Kate Carlton at kcarlton@coloradocollege.edu. The due date is this Thursday, Feb 24th.

Please use this link: https://coloradocollege.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0l05aeZIsLWHREW

If you have any questions please speak directly with the professor whose project you have a question about.