Project-Based Laboratory Training for LSU/SU Students in High Energy Astrophysics

PI: Michael L. Cherry, LSUBR

Co-PI: A.R. Fazely, SUBR

New Hires: J. Gregory Stacy, James M. Matthews

Abstract

This proposal to the Board of Regents/NSF EPSCoR 1996 Joint Faculty Appointments Program requests funding to hire two tenure-track faculty at Southern and Louisiana State University in the area of high energy astrophysics.

We will build on the pre-existing NASA EPSCoR program, which in turn is based on the NSF, DoD and NASA-funded balloon and space astrophysics research effort of the LSU Space Science/Particle Astrophysics group. NASA EPSCoR has already enabled us to involve Southern in the AMS (Space Station) and ATIC (balloon) cosmic ray experiments, and Louisiana Tech University in the MARGIE balloon-borne X-ray/gamma ray experiment. Several joint papers, a pending patent application, and several joint proposals have already resulted from this 2-year old collaborative effort.

In non-research areas as well, Prof. Fazely has recently submitted a proposal for a joint LSU-Southern Physics laboratory course for our undergraduates; Prof. Cherry will be teaching an undergraduate course at Southern in the Fall; and Prof. Bagayoko is Co-Director with one of our LSU faculty of the Louisiana Space Consortium outreach program. Based on this very successful cooperation, we are looking for ways to expand our joint efforts.

The present time is appropriate to strengthen our ties. First, Southern has just received approval to begin a Master's program in Physics. Second, the LSU Space Science/Particle Astrophysics program is expanding, and will provide opportunities for research for new students and new faculty. NASA has recently approved funding for ATIC and most of the balloon payload development over the next five years will take place at LSU and Southern. MARGIE involves innovative new technology with applications to medical and commercial imaging, reconnaissance, and spectroscopy; it promises to provide very interesting new results in X-ray and gamma ray astronomy; and it could readily involve new faculty at Southern and LSU. We will build on this base by bringing in two new faculty in the area of high energy astrophysics to help strengthen and expand the current program, and to use this existing research base to help tie the two departments closer together.

Astronomy is an area that excites the imagination and attracts students; it provides students with practical training in areas such as electronics, radiation detection, laboratory techniques, data processing and computer techniques, image processing, mechanical engineering, drafting, and machine shop work; and our external funding base is strong with good prospects for growth. A joint Southern-LSU astrophysics program will provide research experience for Southern's undergraduates and its new Master's students, and assist LSU in recruiting new students (in particular, African-American students) into its program. Two new faculty in astrophysics will significantly strengthen the existing program, and could potentially put the joint LSU-Southern group in the front rank nationally of high energy astrophysics research efforts.