Contents
University
Evolution
I started studying physics in 2005 at the TU Darmstadt. Since then I have specialized in nuclear physics and taken a great liking towards programming all kinds of hardware and software. I've done a mini research project in the field of photomultiplier tube sensitivity control. I have managed to complete all necesseary courses whilst working on two different jobs and have received my Bachelor's degree in 2008 for working on new approaches towards automated photon/neutron discrimination.
Current affairs
Right now I am working at the ExtreMe Matter Institute (EMMI) within the Nuclear Matter fellow group lead by Dr. Deniz Savran. These are my current projects:
- Photoexcitation of low-lying dipole strength in exotic nuclei
- Experimental setup of the Gamma3 (γ³) project at the HIγS facility at the Duke University
- Detector Simulations using GEANT4
- Data acquisition (both analog and digital) on VMEbus hardware
- EPICS slow-control programming
Not so current affairs
- Photon/Neutron Discrimination with Digital Pulse Shape Analysis
- Photomultiplier Slow Control on CANbus
- Magnet Control via Telnet
- Contribution to the TagTeam, the group working on the NEPTUN photon tagger at the S-DALINAC
Bachelor-Thesis
My Bachelor-Thesis was on the topic of Digital Pulse Shape Analysis used to achieve Photon discrimination against Neutrons. In liquid scintillators these types of particles create differently shaped signals and can be distinguished using several methods. For this task I chose to employ a pattern recognition algorithm based on the Fuzzy C-Means clustering algorithm in order to create a mainly automatic discrimination process. Of course you can have a look at my thesis in the Downloads section.
Master-Thesis
The work on my Master-Thesis will begin during October this year. It will focus on setting up a 0-degree in-beam particle detector acting as an active beam dump for the NEPTUN tagging facility at the IKP. The goal is to gain precise knowledge about photon flux and photon energy during the course of an experiment. So far calibration measurements had to be conducted prior to each experiment to check these important parameters, but could not be monitored during the actual experiment. For this setup simulations for radiation shielding, detector response, and the environment have to be done. From this the geometry of the setup will be derived. The detector characteristics have to be carefully investigated, a data acquisition compatible with the current system has to be put together, and the actual setup has to be done. This looks like a lot of work, but I am really looking forward to be doing this!
Literature
This is a list of books I have read and can recommend to any physics student:
| Course | Book |
|---|---|
| Experimental Physics | P. A. Tipler, Physics |
| Theory in general | W. Nolting, the series |
| Th. Fließbach, the series | |
| General Techniques | Hermann Schulz, Physik mit Bleistift |
| Electrodynamics | John. D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics |
| Nuclear Physics | Fraunfelder/Henley |
| Atomic Physics | Mayer-Kuckuck |
| Particle Detection | Glenn F. Knoll |
| Theoretical Nucl. Phys. | Schwabl |