Undergraduate Research in Particle Astrophysics

Cosmic Ray Detector

Assistant Professor Armendariz's research is in astro-particle physics, cosmic rays, and electronic detector technology. Students in the group are designing an educational array of cosmic ray detectors consisting of fluorescent plastic scintillator, photomultiplier tubes, and data acquisition electronics; through collaborative efforts select students conduct research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Assistant Professor Armendariz manages the QCC QuarkNet Center's educational outreach program with high school physics teachers.

CUNY Cosmic Ray Detector Array for Undergraduate Research in Engineering and Computational Physics

The Queensborough Community College physics department is building a cosmic ray detector array for undergraduate student research. College students and high school physics teachers are involved in building the array which includes detectors at different college campuses interconnected over the Internet. In building and operating detectors students and teachers gain valuable training in engineering science, electronics, computer programming, data analysis, and project management. A learning community has been established where students are engaged in high impact practices and active learning. Science goals include measuring the rate and directionality of 10 m to 10 km wide cosmic ray muon showers, and correlations with atmospheric variables and solar activity.

Opportunities for Students

If you plan to work with electronics, mechanical equipment, or computers in engineering or science there is nothing better than to design and build things now as hands-on hard work opens up many doors for your future. Students accepted into the program can register for Physics Research Projects PH900 (90 lab hours, 2 credits) and/or Scientific use of Computers PH303 (2 credits):

Design and build scientific equipment
Build beginner or advanced electronic circuits
Write software in Python or C++ for systems control and data acquisition
Build particle physics detectors: design framing, machine parts, water jet applications
Measure cosmic ray particles from outer space
Present research results at conferences
Apply for summer research opportunities at QCC and Brookhaven National Lab
Publish papers

Cosmic ray detectors built by students

Designing circuits

QCC Quarknet Center for Science Outreach

QuarkNet https://quarknet.org/ is an NSF grant funded educational outreach program at the University of Notre Dame and operated by the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Office of Educational Programs. High school physics teachers can apply to participate in the program. In this mutually beneficial arrangement teachers can gain research experience in cosmic ray physics, electronics, and/or software development. A detector is typically loaned to each participating high school for student use. See participating student results.

Undergraduate Research in Particle Astrophysics

Cosmic Ray Detector

CUNY Cosmic Ray Detector Array for Undergraduate Research in Engineering and Computational Physics

Opportunities for Students

Cosmic ray detectors built by students

Designing circuits

QCC Quarknet Center for Science Outreach

Student Work

Posters

Papers

Building Cosmic Ray Detectors

Electronics

DAQ

Arduino

Raspberry Pi

Power Distribution

Low to High Voltage Converters

Building Detectors

Photomultiplier Tubes and Scintillators

PMTS

Power Circuits

Scintillator

Cookies

Analyses

PMT Analysis

Flux Analysis

Dark Box Testing

CUNY Array

Campus Cultural Centers