Bulletin of the American Physical Society
2008 APS April Meeting and HEDP/HEDLA Meeting
Volume 53, Number 5
Friday–Tuesday, April 11–15, 2008; St. Louis, Missouri
Session M4: Computational Physics Education |
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Sponsoring Units: DCOMP Chair: Amy Bug, Swarthmore College Room: Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront (formerly Adam's Mark Hotel), Promenade B |
Sunday, April 13, 2008 3:30PM - 4:06PM |
M4.00001: CiSE and Computational Physics: Undergraduate Physics Challenge Invited Speaker: The role of \textit{Computing in Science and Engineering} (CiSE) in support of computational physics is discussed with emphasis on CiSE's computational physics challenge. Winners awards are {\$}1500, {\$}1000, and {\$}500. Each winner also receives a copy of Mathematica plus modest travel support. The challenge was for undergraduates at any accredited educational institution. Applicants were to select a physically and computationally interesting problem of their own choosing. Awards are presented at this session. Student winners discuss their work in papers that follow. First prize winner is Yevgeny Binder, of Loyola University in Chicago -``PartonKit: A C Program for Fast Parton Evolution with the Rossi Method.'' Second prize winner is John Barrett, of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst - ``Analysis of Photon Transport in 3 Polarized Scintillating Target Proto-types.'' Third prize winner is Steven Anton, of the University of Delaware - ``Electron Wave Packet Propagation in Graphene Nanoribbons.'' [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 13, 2008 4:06PM - 4:18PM |
M4.00002: CiSE Computational Physics Challenge Winner: Analysis of Photon Transport in Scintillating Target Prototypes John Barrett, Rory Miskimen A proposed experiment to measure the spin polarizabilities of the proton through double polarized Compton scattering requires a polarized proton target. One possible option for the target material that would enable background rejection is the use of a polarized scintillator. However the optimal geometry of this scintillating target is difficult to determine. By developing a Monte Carlo simulation of light transport in several proposed geometries it is possible to characterized which is the most effective design to collect scintillation light. We present our computational algorithm and recommendations for the future scintillating target geometry. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 13, 2008 4:18PM - 4:30PM |
M4.00003: CiSE Computational Physics Challenge Winner: Fast parton evolution and the search for gluon asymmetry in the hadron with PartonKit Yevgeny Binder, Gordon Ramsey In the search for well-defined structure in the hadron, deep inelastic scattering (DIS) provides experimental data for a portion of the $J_z = \frac{1}{2}$ sum rule. For all terms to be fully determined, it is necessary to derive the longitudinally polarized gluon distribution from unpolarized DIS experiments, as well as from theoretical modeling and parton evolution. We have created a new computer program to perform parton evolution using the method devised by G. Rossi, which provides fast, stable results while remaining in x-space. Using this program, we have found a preliminary range of viable gluon asymmetries, which generate polarized gluon distributions. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 13, 2008 4:30PM - 4:42PM |
M4.00004: CiSE Computational Physics Challenge Winner: Electron Wave Packet Propagation in Graphene Nanoribbons Steven M. Anton While graphene has been studied by theoreticians for over half a century, the two dimensional crystal lattice has only recently been realized experimentally. As such, theoretical work in the properties of graphene has exploded. A variety of these properties, which are truly exceptional and unique, have engendered much research into carbon based electronics, of which graphene is generally the most fundamental unit. In this thesis, we seek to characterize basic electronic properties of graphene nanoribbons. We begin with a tight-binding model of graphene and an analysis of the electronic band structure of the infinite sheet and semi-infinite nanoribbons. Also employing the spectral method, we create, inject, and propagate various types of wave packets infinite wires. A key effect that is expected is the so called Zitterbewegung oscillation of the wave packet center. Results are compared to theoretical predictions based on analytical methods rather than numerical simulations. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 13, 2008 4:42PM - 5:18PM |
M4.00005: Computational Physics as a Path for Physics Education Invited Speaker: Evidence and arguments will be presented that modifications in the undergraduate physics curriculum are necessary to maintain the long-term relevance of physics. Suggested will a balance of analytic, experimental, computational, and communication skills, that in many cases will require an increased inclusion of computation and its associated skill set into the undergraduate physics curriculum. The general arguments will be followed by a detailed enumeration of suggested subjects and student learning outcomes, many of which have already been adopted or advocated by the computational science community, and which permit high performance computing and communication. Several alternative models for how these computational topics can be incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum will be discussed. This includes enhanced topics in the standard existing courses, as well as stand-alone courses. Applications and demonstrations will be presented throughout the talk, as well as prototype video-based materials and electronic books. [Preview Abstract] |
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