Research Could Explain Unusual Behavior in Superconductors

Since their discovery in 1986, the crystalline ceramic materials known as cuprates have puzzled scientists for their high-temperature superconductivity.

Efforts to understand cuprates have generated a great deal of debate, in part because the materials seem to demonstrate a split personality. In some experiments, their superconducting electrons exhibit d-wave behavior, meaning they appear to orbit each other in a formation resembling a four-leaf clover; other times they exhibit s-wave behavior, in which the electrons appear to follow spherical paths, but in opposite directions.

In Ohio State's Department of Physics, Professor Thomas Lemberger is confronting this controversy head-on. In tests with thin films of cuprates, he and his colleagues may have found a transition in which the material switches from d-wave behavior to s-wave. This work, which was done in collaboration with NTT Basic Research Laboratories in Japan, might explain the varied research results other teams have found in the past.

"It seems that the mechanisms for d-wave and s-wave behavior are always present in the material," Lemberger said, "so if you could suppress the d-wave behavior, a cuprate would automatically switch to s-wave."

S-wave behavior has some technical advantages over d-wave. Buckyballs, Lemberger pointed out, demonstrate high-temperature s-wave-type superconductivity at 40 Kelvin. Scientists have speculated that cuprates could sustain s-wave superconductivity at a temperature as high as 90 Kelvin.

"The question now is how high can we push s-wave superconductivity?" Lemberger said.

Finding the answer will be a very complex task. Along the way, Lemberger and graduate student John Skinta have discovered something else surprising about cuprates.

Working with physicists at Pennsylvania State University, Lemberger and Skinta measured thermal fluctuations in a thin film cuprate. "The fluctuations are not nearly as strong as they should be," Lemberger said. "It's as if the layers of the material are much more strongly coupled than other measurements have led us to expect."

At the moment, the implications of these findings are unclear, but Lemberger and his collaborators have written two articles detailing their work, both of which have been published in recent editions of Physical Review Letters. In addition, further measurements are supporting earlier conclusions.

For the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) group in Ohio State's Department of Physics, this is an exciting time. Not only did Brian Winer and Richard Hughes, both associate professors, lead the effort to design a particle tracker for CDF, but they had the singular joy of seeing the device in action--and reveling in the results.

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Electronics Decipher Fermilab Collisions

Fermilab's Tevatron is the most powerful particle accelerator of the world, and Brian Winer and Richard Hughes worked for five years to design the fastest tracker in the world: a mass of circuits and parallel processors capable of charting the paths of up to 5 trillion particles per second, emanating from 7.5 million proton-antiproton collisions each second.

The device, called the eXtremely Fast Tracker (XFT), kept pace with the accelerator, and it worked perfectly its first time out. Its initial results matched the computer simulations that Winer and Hughes ran during its development. Now the physicists are busy analyzing data from Fermilab's Collider Run II, which started in March of 2001 and is expected to continue through 2007.

The XFT is the first and most powerful in a series of tracking devices that sort the data emerging from the collider. When a collision occurs that may be of interest to physicists--for instance, the creation of the theoretical Higgs boson--the XFT pulls that data from the stream and passes them along to other devices for more analysis.

"We're dealing with a huge amount of data," said Winer. "From the trillions of collisions that will take place over the next five years, we may only generate 50 events that will help us find the Higgs boson. We have to make sure we can find those key events and save them to tape."

"Because the collisions happen so fast, we had to design the XFT to attain a balance between gathering enough information and doing it very quickly," Hughes added.

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Society of Physics Students

Playing with liquid nitrogen…celebrating the second birthday of a half gallon jug of milk…bobbing for apples while watching Halloween episodes of The Simpsons…microwaving stuff that probably shouldn't be microwaved…

Can you think of better ways to relieve stress before finals?

At least once a quarter the Ohio State Society of Physics Students (SPS) hosts a study break where physics students can relieve some of the stress that accumulates just before midterms and finals. These study breaks generally consist of watching a movie and eating pizza, but sometimes things get a little carried away. Like when the "fun with liquid nitrogen" and "bobbing for apples" activities were mixed… You can imagine the outcome.

SPS does much more than just hold stress-relieving study breaks. Every two weeks, SPS holds informal meetings in the Undergraduate Physics Student Lounge (Smith Laboratory, Room 1011). At these meetings, members of the faculty give informative talks on their research. So far this year, some of the highlights have included a discussion by Professor Richard Hughes about the CDF Detector at Fermilab, a presentation on superconductivity using liquid nitrogen by Professor Tom Lemberger, a field trip out to Ohio State's nuclear reactor on West Campus and a joint meeting with Radical π (Ohio State's Mathematics Club) at which Professor Samir Mathur discussed his research in black holes and string theory.

"One of SPS's biggest goals is to encourage social activities among physics students," said SPS president and physics major Becky Weber. "SPS membership allows students to get to know their professors on a more personal basis, meet upper level physics students and get help with their homework, even learn about opportunities for research within the department."

During spring quarter, SPS plans to host discussions with Ohio Eminent Scholar Chris Hammel on the magnetic, electronic and superconducting properties of different materials and Professor Ciriyam Jayaprakash on the philosophical aspects of quantum mechanics. Plus, they're scheduling a field trip to the basement of Dreese Lab--to make lightening bolts!

"Being president of SPS and becoming actively involved with the department has taught me that the physics department is a lot more fun if you take an interest in what is going on around you," Becky said. "The professors are really easy to get to know, if you take the time to talk to them outside of class."

This year, SPS has experienced a big increase in attendance at meetings and activities, which Becky attributes to her fellow SPS officers. "We have great officers--everyone has been actively involved and they all have worked really hard to promote the activities," she said.

The increase in attendance has allowed SPS to reinstate the Ohio State chapter of the Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society (see next page). Sigma Pi Sigma is already off to a great start with 22 members from the sophomore, junior and senior classes.

The SPS meetings are open to anyone, not just physics students, and there are no local dues. Membership in the national chapter is strongly encouraged, but not required, and applications can be picked up in the SPS office or can be downloaded from the national SPS web site at www.spsnational.org.

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Michael Tychonievich Wins Goldwater Scholarship

With a double major in physics and mathematics, plus involvement in research projects in both departments, it's a wonder Mike Tychonievich even managed to find time to apply for the highly competitive Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. But not only did he apply, he won.

Nationally, only 309 scholarships were awarded from a field of 1,155 mathematics, science and engineering students. The one- and two-year scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to $7,500 per year. The academically based scholarship was created in 1986 by Congress to honor Arizona Senator Barry M. Goldwater and is given to students who plan to pursue careers in science, mathematics or engineering. Mike received notification of his award on April 1, 2002. No fooling.

Mike became interested in physics after reading The God Particle by Leon Lederman, a book that recounts the evolution of physics through the quest of some of the greatest physicists of all time to discover the origins of the universe. Mike wanted to learn more about physics and Ohio State offered the best physics program in the state.

By his second quarter at Ohio State, Mike was actively engaged in research in Professor Tom Lemberger's lab. Throughout the past three years, he has continued working with the Lemberger group as his class load permitted. They are investigating the changing properties of high-temperature superconductors. The results of research by the Lemberger group seem to indicate that high temperature s-wave-type superconductivity may be sustainable up to temperatures as high as 90 Kelvin, a result that would have many industrial uses (see page 17 for details). Mike also participated in the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program with Professor Lemberger during the summer of 2001.

Last summer Mike also participated in a research program supported through the NSF-funded Vertical Integration of Research and Education (VIGRE) in the Department of Mathematics. This intensive program seeks to introduce students to higher-level mathematical concepts through special courses and research.

Mike hopes to earn a Ph.D. in physics and someday become a theoretical physicist or mathematician and conduct research that integrates both subjects. "To recognize when I don't understand something and then know how to go about finding the answer is the most important thing I've learned at Ohio State," said Mike.

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Academic Achievement Scholarship

Mike Starr
Undergraduate Physics Major

Mike Starr was at lunch in his Lexington, Ohio, high school when his father called to tell him, "We're going to Hawaii!" That's when Mike knew he had won the Academic Achievement Scholarship in the Department of Physics at Ohio State.

"We had made a deal earlier in the year that if I found a way to pay for school, [my father] would take our family on a trip that summer," said Mike. "I couldn't believe [that I'd won] at first, and it didn't really sink in until later. We ended up going to Cancun, which was a blast!"

The Academic Achievement Scholarship is open to any high school student planning to major in physics or engineering physics at Ohio State. It covers the full cost of in-state tuition for four years as long as the student continues to make good progress toward a degree in physics.

A high school physics teacher sparked Mike's fascination with physics. He is especially intrigued with problems dealing with conservation of momentum and heat capacity. Mike was already considering coming to Ohio State based on its outstanding physics program. Add to that the fact that Mike's entire family (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins) have all come through Ohio State, and it becomes clear that his future as a Buckeye was already more or less predetermined when the Academic Achievement Scholarship sealed the deal.

Since arriving at Ohio State in autumn 2002, Mike has become increasingly involved in student organizations. On move-in day, Mike served as an Ohio State Welcome Leader (OWL), helping fellow freshman move into their dorms. He has also become a member of the Student Alumni Council (SAC), Students Active in Involvement and Leadership (SAIL) and has attended several of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) meetings.

In addition to his Academic Achievement Scholarship, Mike has won an Ohio Academic Scholarship, the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship, a Mayer Scholarship and a University Scholarship through Ohio State. He is also a National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholar.

Mike has not yet decided which direction his physics degree will take him.

"Have you ever seen Van Wilder?" asked Mike. "The main character talks about living life in the present and not over-thinking the future. I'm having a lot of fun, and I'm working really hard. So I'll just roll with the punches and see where I end up in four years."

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Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is pleased to announce that it has reinstated the Ohio State chapter of the Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society. The Ohio State chapter inducted its first new members since 1982 during winter quarter at the annual Department of Physics Winter Party. These students will have the opportunity to significantly influence the direction of Sigma Pi Sigma for years to come.

The brief induction ceremony featured Emeritus Professor and former Department Chair Leonard Jossem, as well as alumnus David Price, who also serves the department and College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences as the college representative to the Alumni Advisory Board of The Ohio State University Alumni Association. SPS advisor Richard Furnstahl, professor of physics, was also inducted.

Sigma Pi Sigma is a nationally recognized and respected organization dedicated to leadership and service and is associated with SPS and the American Physical Society (APS). It is designed to acknowledge upper-class students who have excelled in physics. Those students eligible for membership maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA in at least five upper-level physics classes as well as cumulatively, and they must be involved in research, SPS or other activities related to physics.

Sigma Pi Sigma was originally founded at Ohio State in 1936. If you are a former member of the organization and would like to contribute advice regarding the running of Sigma Pi Sigma, or if you'd like more information, please e-mail the SPS officers at sps@mps.ohio-state.edu.

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Department of Physics Undergraduate Awards Ceremony, May 29, 2002

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Ph.D. Graduates

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Generosity as Big as Texas

Two Texans, both alumni of the Department of Physics, have given generously in support of excellence in physics at Ohio State. David DeMartini, Houston, and Captain Forrest R. Biard, Dallas, have both established special funds in the department. The DeMartini scholarship is designed to be used at the discretion of the chair of the department for either an undergraduate or graduate student. Captain Biard's gift will establish a new lecture series in the department, which will further excellence through timely discussion with experts in cutting-edge research in physics.

"Truly excellent physics students live here in the state of Ohio," said William Saam, chair. "Often, financial constraints may force them to choose an institution besides Ohio State. With the DeMartini scholarship, we can offer support to the students who may need it and who will excel in physics. Moreover, the Biard series will offer students opportunities to meet with visiting scholars and give them the chance to discuss important issues in the field from a variety of perspectives. This is another reason that the Department of Physics is so strong here at Ohio State."

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Search to Fill Endowed Chair Underway

The search to fill the now fully funded Dr. Edward E. and Sylvia Hagenlocker Chair in Physics recently began. The Hagenlocker Chair will provide support for a distinguished senior faculty position in the area of atomic, molecular, and optical physics.

"This is the first endowed chair in the department," said William Saam, chair. "It provides a unique opportunity to enhance our stature in the worldwide research community."

The Department of Physics recently began inviting applications and nominations for the endowed chair. The job description states in part, "The occupant of the chair will have an appointment as Professor of Physics. An extensive, internationally recognized record of research commensurate with a chaired position is expected. Experimental and computational support facilities are exceptional and a new state-of-the-art Physics Research Building is under construction."

A native of Marysville, Ohio, Dr. Hagenlocker is a three-time graduate of Ohio State (B.S. Physics 1962, M.S. Physics, 1962, and Ph.D. Physics, 1964), as well as recipient of an MBA from Michigan State University. He retired as Vice Chairman of the Ford Motor Company in January of 1999 and was awarded the fi rst-ever Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Physics in the spring of that year. He received an honorary doctorate in science in 1997 from OSU and gave the Summer 1997 commencement address. He and his wife Sylvia reside in Detroit.

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Physics Open House

APS/AAPT Ohio Division Fall 2002 Meeting

The biannual American Physical Society (APS) Ohio Division meeting, held at Ohio State on October 18 and 19, 2002, was the busiest it's ever been. For the first time since the conception of the biannual meeting, both the Ohio and Southern Ohio sections of the American Association of Physics Teachers participated in the meeting. Add to that the fact that Ohio State was also running its annual Physics Open House, and you have the makings of a fun-filled physics weekend!

"Having both together gave the meeting a sense of the full scope of physics," said Steve Pinsky, professor in the Department of Physics and meeting coordinator. "Everyone from high school students who are thinking about becoming physicists to world-class research scientists were there. We had it all. We are all involved in education either as students or teachers, and having the strong presence of the AAPT was a real plus. Everyone loved the [open house] demonstrations."

The demonstrations, presented each year by Associate Professor Linn Van Woerkom, feature the irresistible title, "Things you should never, ever put in a microwave." Van Woerkom delights his audience by showing what happens when a variety of objects--from a hammer to CDs to soap--are placed in a microwave. He also showcases things you should never do with liquid nitrogen.

The meeting was also an opportunity to highlight the Department of Physics' string theory group, a group that originated in the autumn of 1999 with professors Arkady Tseytlin and Samir Mathur. Several of the meeting's talks focused on string theory, with sessions given by world-class researchers Igor Klebanov from Princeton University, Michael Duff and Finn Larson from the University of Michigan, and Sumit Das from the University of Kentucky.

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Alumni in the News

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Alumni--Let Us Hear from You!

Are you (or is someone you know) an alumnus of the Ohio State Department of Physics with an interesting story or news to share? We would like to feature these stories in the new Alumni News section of Ohio State Physics magazine. Contact Melissa Weber, editor, at weber.254@osu.edu, (614) 292-2254, or at the following address:

Physics Magazine
Department of Physics
1012 Smith Lab
174 W. 18th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210

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The following article was published in The Other Paper, a weekly alternative paper published in Columbus, Ohio. The story was written by Jenny Young and is used here with permission.

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What Inventors Talk About in Private

Tuesday's meeting of the Inventors Network revealed some astonishing facts.  For example: Inventors actually look like normal people.

Paul Cover, [1955 graduate from the Department of Physics at The Ohio State University] the group's treasurer and secretary, is a kind, grandfatherly gent who, it just so happens, helped to invent photocopying during his 31 years at Battelle.

The physicist and inventor, who lives in Hilliard, also worked on batteries for pacemakers, deep-sea rescue vehicles and satellites, and his name is on a patent for ultra-fine filters used in airbags.

Although he retired in 1986, Cover still putters around with ideas.

"I keep making stupid things around the house that my wife laughs at," he said.

And, of course, he attends the Inventors Network meetings the second Tuesday of every month at Chemical Abstracts. The group gives fledgling inventors a chance to pick the brains of more experienced ones for tips on idea protection, marketing and the ins and outs of getting a patent.

Tuesday's get-together featured speaker Ron Docie, who looked and sounded more like a polished businessman than a mad scientist.

Docie got lucky in 1975 with his first invention: the still-popular Docie Wedge Blindspot Mirror, which he dreamed up while driving a hearse for Schoedinger Funeral Homes.  The DWBM is that little wide-angle mirror you stick to your car's regular rearview mirror.

After that, he founded Docie Development in Athens, Ohio, which handles marketing and contract negotiations for inventor-clients.  Most potential inventors get stuck, he said, when it comes to getting paid.  They either can't find companies such as Battelle to help fund their projects, or they can't find manufacturers who will license their ideas and pay royalties.

"Usually inventors can't market themselves out of a brown paper bag," he told The Other Paper before the meeting.

Such issues are covered in Docie's new book, The Inventor's Bible, as is his No. 1 tip: Don't fret about people stealing your invention.

"That is probably the most worried-about thing by inventors, and the least important thing to worry about," he said.

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful, but I think it also means you shouldn't be so anal about the doggone idea."

Despite talk of market research and selling price, there were still signs at the meeting that inventors' minds work in strange and mysterious ways.  For instance, an audience member offered advice on doing patent searches at the U.S. Patent and Trade Office's website.

"You might type in ‘finger-activated aerial toy,'" he tossed out as an example.

"Or ‘Frisbee,'" an audience member muttered.

At another point, Docie began a story about his friend who invented the modem, then paused to make sure the 15 or so people in the audience were keeping up.

"You know what a modem is, right?  An acoustic coupler?" he asked.

Ah, yes, an acoustic coupler.

Cover talked about the "joyful, creative skills" of inventing in almost spiritual terms, and he mostly steered clear of "patent-ese." His latest creation is a three-legged stool with an insulated pocket under the seat for holding a beverage--an idea that came to him one day when he was working outside.

"I always had my drink over here," he said, extending his arm to illustrate, "and I was forever knocking it over.  But I've never kicked over the bottle when I've been sitting on top of it."

But even though Cover jokes that his creation will "cure your thirst and bad back," he has no plans to capitalize on it.

"I don't have the time or money to market it," he said. "I'm to the point that I'm glad if someone steals my idea."

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