Anne-Katherine B
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at University of California Irvine (UCI)
Expertise
Early Universe Cosmology, particle physics, dark matter
Bio
Hi there! My name is Anne-Katherine (she/her) and I am a grad student studying theoretical particle physics and cosmology. I am passionate about searching for answers to the biggest open questions about our universe. What is dark matter? Is the universe infinite? Why is there so much more matter than antimatter? And so much more! Work-life balance is very important to me (yes, this is totally possible in grad school!) and I have lots of hobbies and interests outside of physics. I love doing active things out in nature like surfing, climbing, and hiking, playing my violin, hanging out with friends, and reading. I also have a very cute cat named Tauri after the star Alpha Centauri!Project ideas
The Mysterious Lifetime of the Neutron
One of the curious mysteries in particle physics is that different experiments have conflicting results on how long it takes for neutrons, one of the building blocks of the atom, to decay. One way we can probe the so-called "neutron lifetime" is by studying the formation of atoms in the very early universe. At just one second after the Big Bang, the nuclei of elements like hydrogen, helium, and lithium began to form from protons and neutrons. Using our knowledge of both particle and astrophysics, we can calculate exactly how much hydrogen, helium, etc. we expect to be produced in this process. Neutrons, and their lifetime, are an important piece of this calculation. By comparing the results of this calculation with astrophysical data, we can understand what the neutron lifetime should be according to our theory. This project would be done using my recently published simulation code, PRyMordial. The code is written in python so this project would provide you with an opportunity to get some python coding practice. In addition, the project spans the gap between particle and astrophysics and would provide learning opportunities in both areas of the field. The outcome of this project would depend on your interests. It could be anything from producing relevant plots and figures to writing a full blown scientific research paper. Regardless, my top priority will be to teach you some cool physics and help you through any road bumps you encounter along the way! :)