Session B1: Plenary Session I

BICEP2 and the hunt for the axion

The BICEP2 experiment has recently reported observation of primordial tensor perturbations which are consistent with predictions from inflation models with a high inflation scale. If true, this rules out many proposed particle physics models with scalar fields whose values in the early universe affect physics today, as induced fluctuations in such a field would lead to unacceptably high isocurvature fluctuations today, conflicting with observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). In particular, axions produced above the inflation scale are ruled out, which closes a loophole by which these conjectured particles could escape detection. I give a survey of what we learn about axions, a fascinating story that brings together hadronic physics, inflationary cosmology, the hunt for dark matter, and the anthropic principle.   

Casting Light on Antimatter: Fundamental Physics with the ALPHA Antihydrogen Project at CERN

ALPHA is an international project at CERN, whose ultimate goal is to test symmetry between matter and antimatter at highest possible precision via comparisons of the properties of atomic hydrogen with its antimatter counter-part, antihydrogen. After several years of development, we recently achieved significant milestones, including the first stable confinement of antihydrogen [1] for as long as 1000 seconds [2]. ALPHA has also succeeded in performing a spectroscopic measurement on antihydrogen atoms by driving its hyperfine transitions with microwaves [3]. Moreover, we have recently constructed an entirely new apparatus, ALPHA-2, which will allow laser access to the trapped anti-atoms, and provide improved magnetic field configurations for microwave spectroscopy. For the longer-term, possibilities for a measurement of antimatter-gravity interactions are being explored [4]. This talk will discuss the recent achievements and the future prospects of fundamental physics studies with ALPHA. \\[4pt] [1] G.B. Andresen et al., Nature 468, 673 (2010).\\[0pt] [2] G.B. Andresen et al., Nature Physics 7, 558 (2011).\\[0pt] [3] C. Amole et al., Nature 483, 439 (2012).\\[0pt] [4] C. Amole et al. Nature Comm. 4, 1785 (2013).   

The Many Paths Possible with a Physics Degree

Obtaining a degree in physics appears to be an excellent step in the path to finding a fulfilling career in a variety of professional endeavors. As someone with a Ph.D. in physics, I will present on my own path that has led me to directing a 12-person team in science education with partners around the country. My own career path can be understood as a case study for one possible path towards science education starting with a physics degree. I will share how physics has helped me make connections in unusual places. I will also share lessons I have learned about becoming a science educator, manager, and director. I will share a few stories of finding many fellow physics majors in many different careers: a CEO of an electric company in Michigan, the CEO of the Pixar Animation studios, a Wall Street stock market analyst, an economist, and several educators at science museums. In addition to this personal story, I will include references to results of excellent studies from the American Institute of Physics (AIP) Statistical Research Center, which publishes and analyzes data on education and employment in physics. And finally, I will also share how to find free and peer reviewed NASA education resources coming from the NASA physics education community.   

Nanomechanical Magnetometry

To experimental physicists across the ages, torque has been a fabulous companion in the exploration of nature. Highlights in the history of torque measurements include the discovery of earth's magnetic field and the principle of the compass, and weighing the earth with a Cavendish balance. In the present day, extreme miniaturization of torque experiments has become possible thanks to procedures developed for silicon chip production. A recent application of this approach has enabled the solution of a long-standing problem in magnetism, dating from the discovery of magnetic domains almost a century ago [1,2]. The ``lab-on-a-chip'' concept pioneered in analytical chemistry is now beginning to exert its considerable influence in basic and applied studies of magnetism. \\[4pt] [1] H. Barkhausen, Phys. Z. 20, 401 (1919).\\[0pt] [2] J.A.J. Burgess et al., Science 339, 1051 (2013).   

Launching Balloons in Antarctica to Study Earth's Radiation Belts

Discovered in 1958, Earth's radiation belts are filled with energetic electrons traveling at speeds near the speed of light. This region of near-Earth space is known to be highly variable, and many questions remain about the mechanisms responsible for rapidly energizing particles to relativistic energies there. Observed rapid depletions and subsequent rebuilding of the belts imply an efficient energization process, in some cases accelerating electrons to multiple MeV energies on a timescale as short as minutes. The importance of understanding the radiation belts continues to grow as society becomes increasingly dependent on spacecraft which travel through this region for navigation, weather forecasting, and more. BARREL (Balloon Array for Radiation belt Relativistic Electron Losses) is a multiple-balloon investigation designed to study the loss of electrons from the radiation belts. Two Antarctic balloon campaigns were carried out in 2013 and 2014, collecting measurements in conjunction with NASA's Van Allen Probes, to understand and quantify atmospheric loss of radiation belt electrons. This talk will introduce the current science questions in radiation belt science and will present a summary of the BARREL balloon campaigns.