Computer 3D Visualization of Proton Collisions
In the 2nd half of 2008, the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzerland will begin colliding two opposing beams of protons at unprecedented energies to search for new fundamental physics. We wish to allow students and others to analyze these collision events using computer game-like technology making use of a real-time 3D-visualization engine. These collisions occur inside an apparatus called a detector, and this interactive program will allow 3D access to detector animation and event animation. The challenge for students would be to find actual events that may carry signatures for new discoveries such as dark matter, higgs bosons, mini-black holes, etc.
The program will use the best aspects of technical animation by allowing users to control 3D representations of collision events and to manipulate 3D models of the detector and see how particles are detected as they pass through. It will allow the user to rotate, zoom and select virtual pieces of the ATLAS detector and events (not unlike techniques in some computer games). The characteristics of the events (momentum etc.) can also be read, and one can select tracks for analysis, activate context-oriented media, etc. It is the perfect framework to integrate different types of media into a single product. This way, videos, animations, sound, interactive visualization and data analysis can be bound together in the same package.
Networking is standard in most modern game engines. We can allow users to connect to each other in order to perform together the tasks proposed by the program, have virtual teams and upload the "scores" to a central database.
The summer student will be asked to participate in the design of this program. Knowledge and experience with C++ and preferably with computer game or interface design is desired.
Majors: Computer Science, Science Education, Physics
Mentor's name: Michael Barnett
Mailing address: MS-6608
phone: (510) 486-5650
email: barnett@LBL.gov
Revised: 15 January 2008

Cosmology/Astrophysics
This group is researching in two major areas:
1) Cosmology focused on using cosmic microwave background, gravitational lensing, and supernovae as probes of the early universe. Also related education/outreach effort on Cosmology see the website UniverseAdventure.org
2) Astrophysics - the group has instrumentation under development and a large amount of data concerning astrophysical sources and the CMB. A student in this group would have many choices of research effort:
a) build instrumentation for CMB, galactic emssion, or related observations
b) develop instrument control and data taking software
c) make observations - run the experiment, modify, preliminary look at the results
d) data processing and analysis and development of these techniques e)large scale simulation of the physics that can be done or instrument performance
e) development of presentation and educational material for wall chart and website.
A student in this group could expect to learn how experimental science is conducted, laboratory or advanced computer skills, and new physics. Knowledge of physics and mathematics (or software) is very useful in this group.
Majors: Physics, astronomy/astrophysics, computer science or mathematics
Mentor George Smoot
mailing address: ms50-205
Phone 510/486-5505
email: GFSmoot@lbl.gov
Student Research Abstract; Summer, 2005
Posted 3 February 2004

Monolithic Si Pixel testing with particle beams
The International Linear Collider (ILC) group at LBNL is carrying out advanced R&D on a new generation of Silicon pixel detectors for application at the next large scale facility in accelerator particle physics and in other applications requiring fast, high resolution imagers, such as electron microscopy. The sucessful applicant will be working with the group, composed of several lab staff, a UC Berkeley faculty, two postdocs and two graduate students, to characterize test structure in the lab and using the particle beams available at the ALS and 88" cyclotron. The work will include setup of the experimental apparatus, data taking and data analysis.c Major: Physics
Mentors: Marco Battaglia
Mailing Address: MS 50A2161
Phone: 510.486.7029
email:MBattaglia@lbl.gov
Re-Posted: January 31, 2006

Readout of a TPC with a VLSI chip
The International Linear Collider (ILC) group at LBNL is studying the possibility to readout a 3D gaseous detector using a high density very large scale integrated (VLSI) chip. This would provide an increase of an order of magnitude in the readout segmentation and a comparable decrease in the detector mass. The greatly improved imaging capabilities of such a detector would benefit application in track reconstruction in collider experiments, such as the ILC, and other applications where large area 3D imaging of ionizing radiation is required. A student in this group
will participate to the setup of a gaseous detector test chamber, perform simulation of electron multiplication in gas and help installing the readout chip system
Major: Physics
Mentors: Marco Battaglia and James Siegrist
Mailing Address: MS 50A2161
Phone: 510.486.7029
email:MBattaglia@lbl.gov
Posted: February 27, 2006