Robert Bradley '04 traveled to Philadelphia yesterday to present the findings of his junior independent work at the American Physical Society's annual convention.
Bradley's research in high-energy physics sought to determine the accuracy of the Standard Model, a theory about the fundamental interactions between the tiniest particles.
"Atoms and molecules are pretty small, but it turns out that even atoms and molecules are made of even smaller things," Bradley said. "High-energy physics seeks to understand what those smaller things are and how they interact."
Bradley's preliminary findings indicate that a Standard Model violation, previously detected by physicists in a rival experiment and cited as evidence that the model is flawed, in fact does not occur. If his result is verified, it will provide support for the validity of the Standard Model.
"Robert's JP work has been remarkable," Physics Professor Chris Tully, who served as Bradley's adviser, said in an email Monday.
Tully submitted the research to the APS for consideration in January. After it received preliminary approval, Bradley was invited to explain his work via videoconference to an international group of high-energy physicists Tuesday.
"He had to convince [them that] he had performed the analysis correctly and understood the results," Tully said. "They were impressed with the quality of his research and approved the talk for presentation at the APS meeting in Philly."
Bradley, who traveled to the conference with fellow presenter Wade Fisher GS yesterday, said the talk went well.
He was asked a couple of difficult questions, indicating that people had "understood the heart of the analysis," Tully said. "One of the most gratifying aspects of presenting your work is to find someone in the audience who is thinking about your work exactly the way you are even though they never met or heard about you before."
Bradley analyzed data from the Df experiment, a collaboration of over 600 physicists from 72 countries. Df was conducted at Fermilab's TeVatron, the world's highest-energy particle accelerator, which collides particles so that physicists can compare the resulting interactions with theoretical predictions.
The results of Bradley's research were published in Df Notes, a publication internal to the experiment.
Bradley was introduced to high-energy physics this summer while working at the University under Tully's supervision.
"High-energy is one of the big areas in physics today, and I wanted to see what experiments today are like," Bradley said.
This semester, his independent work focuses on quantum mechanics.
"The JPs have been my favorite academic experience in Princeton so far," he said. "It's really satisfying to be able to make a contribution while still an undergraduate."
Read More
U. to cut employee benefits following raise reductions, eliciting mixed reactions
Leela HenslerIn a series of February memos, the University informed faculty and non-union staff of raise cuts and benefit reductions for the coming fiscal year, with a decrease in personnel also on the horizon.
In a series of February memos, the University informed faculty and non-union staff of raise cuts and benefit reductions for the coming fiscal year, with a decrease in personnel also on the horizon.
Peer Academic Advisor hours cut, resulting in lower compensation
Ambre Van de Velde and Ryan BuschmanPeer Academic Advisors, upperclassmen who support first-year students through the residential college system, will see more than $500 cut from their total compensation for the coming academic year.
Peer Academic Advisors, upperclassmen who support first-year students through the residential college system, will see more than $500 cut from their total compensation for the coming academic year.
Morrison, Graziosi named Behrman Professors in the Humanities, will begin term next fall
Leela HenslerThe Humanities Council named Professor Barbara Graziosi and Professor Simon Morrison as the newest Behrman Professors in the Humanities, a three-year appointment during which the two will, among other duties, co-teach the year-long Western Humanities Sequence.
The Humanities Council named Professor Barbara Graziosi and Professor Simon Morrison as the newest Behrman Professors in the Humanities, a three-year appointment during which the two will, among other duties, co-teach the year-long Western Humanities Sequence.