Applied Physics is a research and academic emphasis offering advanced degrees through the Department of Applied Science. The emphasis incorporates faculty teaching and research programs from the UALR Departments of Applied Science and Physics and Astronomy. Current research areas are listed below with a brief description of each area.
Optics Research
The science of optics and the technology of photonics (generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon) are now recognized as critical enablers for information technology and telecommunications, health care and the life sciences, sensing applications in industry and manufacturing, and developments in several areas of national defense. The Applied Optics Laboratory (AOL) at UALR provides research opportunities in the Applied Physics emphasis area for students interested in developing photonic devices for measurements in industry, the environment, aerospace, medicine, and agriculture. Email Dr. Al Adams or phone him at 501-683-7086.
Relativistic Nuclear Collisions
UALR has official institutional involvement with the STAR Experiment, which collides pairs of gold nuclei at kinetic energies over 100 times their rest masses. This research is being carried out at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), located at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island, NY. The STAR detector has been designed to track and measure the momenta of thousands of charged particles emerging simultaneously from each central collision. In several papers and talks, UALR has presented a novel method for continuously monitoring the acceptance and efficiency of the principal instrument in the STAR detector, the main Time Projection Chamber (TPC). A continuous monitoring of STAR’s main TPC is possible by downloading on-line data collected at Brookhaven National Lab to UALR using UALR’s high-speed research Internet. Email Dr. Wil Braithwaite or phone him at 501-569-8964.
Advanced Image Processing
The scientific objective of this program is an extensive study of galaxies in the nearby Universe using infrared observations made in Arizona in conjunction with data from the Hubble Space Telescope to determine how galaxies evolve over time. The data for infrared imaging of galaxies are acquired at two observatories in Arizona. Observations are obtained with the University of Arizona Steward Observatory 61 inch (1.5m) telescope located on Mt. Bigelow (elevation 8200 ft.) and the Steward Observatory 90 inch (2.2m) telescope located on Kitt Peak (elevation 7000 ft.). Initial results on 45 galaxies are described in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series of May 1998 (Grauer, A. D. and Rieke, M.J., 1998, ApJs, 116, 29-45). This work has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and Research Corporation. In the past five years, 11 students have accompanied Dr. Grauer to Arizona to take data at the telescope and have done further analysis both at UALR and at the University of Arizona. Email Dr. Al Grauer or phone him at 501-569-8970.
Applied Geophysics
Applied Geophysics, which combines knowledge from physics, mathematics, and geology, includes exploration and imaging of the earth’s interior through physical measurement collected at or near the earth’s surface by highly specialized equipment. The research program at UALR is oriented toward the development and application of geophysical technologies for environmental, geotechnical, and engineering applications. Gravity, magnetic, electric, seismic, and ground penetrating radar are the main technologies utilized in the research. Topography and three-dimensional imaging of the shallow subsurface using these technologies is an important research focus. Applied geophysics includes also research in digital signal processing to develop new procedures for infrasonic signal detection and Doppler Radar Wind profiling. Infrasonic detection, used heavily in nuclear monitoring, requires innovative technologies in both software and hardware to improved signal-to-noise ratio and to discriminate between different signals. Doppler Radar Wind profiling is mainly implemented for aviation and space vehicle safety. These projects provide opportunities for students in the Applied Physics and Engineering Science emphasis areas. Email Dr. Haydar Al-Shukri or phone him at 569-8164.
Seismology
The Arkansas Center for Earthquake Education and Technology Transfer is a state funded institution within UALR that has the responsibility for installing and operating the Arkansas Seismic Network. One mission of the center is to conduct scientific research in a wide range of projects in earthquake and nuclear seismology, the New Madrid Seismic Zone, paleoseismology, and earthquake risk assessment and mitigation. This Center provides students and faculty with data, facilities, and the environment to accomplish their research. Email Dr. Haydar Al-Shukri or phone him at 501-569-8164.
High Energy Astrophysics
The Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) Collaboration is the acknowledged world leader in the rapidly growing field of very high energy (VHE) gamma ray astronomy. It has pioneered the imaging technique for rejecting cosmic ray events and has discovered all three of the confirmed Northern Hemisphere sources of VHE gamma rays. The VERITAS Collaboration currently operates the Whipple Observatory 10 m Gamma Ray Telescope in Southern Arizona. An array of seven imaging Cerenkov telescopes is under construction and scheduled for completion in 2005. As an associate member of the VERITAS Collaboration, Dr. Tony A. Hall conducts research in the emission of TEV gamma ray from pulsars, binary systems, supernova remnants, and active galactic nuclei. Additional data on X-ray emission from these sources are obtained from the Rossi x-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and Chandra satellites. Email Dr. Tony A. Hall or phone him at 501-569-8971.
View the Applied Physics Curriculum in PDF Format (you will need Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader).
