Prospective Graduate Students

KIPAC members are involved in answering a wide range of exciting and fundamental questions in astrophysics and cosmology (see our current research). The department pursues its research goals through every avenue -- from developing the theoretical framework with both analytical and numerical methods, to strengthening those frameworks through the design and construction of innovative instruments with the power to unlock the mysteries of the Universe, and through careful observations and data analysis of a wide range of topics with a broad range of wavelengths, from radio to gamma rays! As a new graduate student at KIPAC you can take full advantage of this diversity and wealth of knowledge, experience and opportunities.

The aim of KIPAC and the Stanford Physics Department is to provide graduate students with research experiences early in their career. Students have the option of doing a research rotation with a different faculty member each quarter.  KIPAC graduate students are typically immersed in research projects straight away allowing them to gain valuable breadth in knowledge and research practices.

This page lists many of the rotation opportunities available in KIPAC. However, this is not a complete list so feel free to contact anyone in KIPAC about research opportunities. A list of  research positions at KIPAC and information about how to apply to be a graduate student with the Stanford Physics Department is here.

If you have already been admitted to the graduate program in Physics, please take a look our information for new KIPAC members and we look forward to welcoming you to KIPAC soon!

Tom's current research focuses on studying the formation and evolution of galaxies with new numerical techniques, however, he enjoys all areas of non-linear physics which can be addressed using supercomputer calculations! His research interests span dark matter dynamics, the physics of collisionless shocks, investigating the role that cosmic rays and magnetic fields play in the formation and evolution of galaxies, modelling the formation of stars and black holes as well as turbulence, and applications of numerical general relativity.

Visualizations of Dark Matter / Large Scale Structure by R. Kähler and T. Abel. Simulation credit to O. Hahn and T. Abel.

Together with Tom Shutt, Dan works on the LUX and LZ dark matter experiments to search for dark matter in the form of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, or WIMPs. The detectors use liquid xenon as a target medium in a time projection chamber, or TPC. The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment is currently operating a 250-kg target in the former Homestake gold mine in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Preparations are underway at SLAC to design and build the 7-ton successor, known as LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ). The group is involved in many aspects of data analysis, detector design, xenon purification, control andreadout systems, and detector performance studies.

The LUX detector situated in its water shield at the 4850' level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility.

 
  • Steve Allen - X-ray Astronomy and Observational Cosmology (XOC)

Steve is interested in the physics of the most massive objects in the Universe and how we can use them to probe how the Universe evolved. Steve and his group are currently focused on understanding the astrophysics of galaxies and of galaxy clusters using multi-wavelength observations, and on using large, statistical samples of these objects to probe the natures of dark matter, dark energy and fundamental physics. More information regarding ongoing research and a list of Steve's current group members can be found here.

MACSJ0025: When monsters collide. Credit M. Bradac and S. Allen.

 

Roger has broad interests in particle astrophysics and cosmology. Roger and his group are currently working on studies of gravitational lensing, compact objects (black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs) and cosmic rays, tackling difficult questions such as the unknown nature of the gamma-ray flares of the Crab Nebula. He is interested in topics which range from pure theory through phenomenological studies to analysis of observational data. Some of his groups research is strongly computational but plenty is not.

NASAChandra, Spitzer and HST image of the Crab Nebulae.

 

Elliott spends most of his research time working on the analysis of Fermi-LAT data, the Large Area Telescope on the Fermi Gamma-ray space observatory which was constructed right here at SLAC! He is primarily interested in high energy searches for dark matter and new physics, and in understanding the diffuse gamma-ray background. 

The Gamma-ray sky from one year of Fermi LAT data. Credit NASA/DOE/Fermi LAT collaboration.

 
  • Pat Burchat - Observational Cosmology, LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration, Gravitational Lensing

Pat and her research group are currently working hard as part of the exciting Large Synoptic Survey Telescope Dark Energy Science Collaboration in the general area of gravitational lensing. Her group is using analytic calculations, simulations and existing astronomical images to thoroughly understand potential systematic biases and challenges in extracting accurate and precise measurements of cosmic shear from gravitational lensing with current and future surveys. Current projects include the study of chromatic effects and blended objects.

NASA/ESA image of strong lensing due to the galaxy cluster Abell 2218.

  • David Burke - Observational Cosmology with Large Surveys: DES and LSST

David's current projects are focusing on the development of scientific analyses for the Dark Energy Survey (DES). The DES is an exciting, broad ground-based optical survey. It will measure cosmological parameters through the use of gravitational lensing, studies of clusters and large scale structure of galaxy populations. Presently David's work is aimed at optimizing the performance of instrument operations and data reduction, and development of scientific analysis techniques using​simulations, science verification data, and the full survey data set. 

The Blanco 4-meter Dark Energy Survey telescope which holds the Dark Energy Camera at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. This exciting survey started taking data on Aug 31st 2013.

  • Bob Byer - Lasers and Nonlinear Optics

Bob's current research is directed towards precision laser measurements which are used in support of the detection of gravitational waves and in laser particle acceleration. Bob's group and others are involved in developing nanostructured chips, smaller than a grain of rice, in which electrons can be accelerated at a rate 10 times higher than conventional technology.

A particle accelerator on a chip: the nanoscale patterns of SLAC and Stanford's accelerator on a chip. Photo: Matt Beardsley/SLAC

 

Blas's main research efforts are directed towards the search for dark matter in the form of WIMPs or Weakly Interacting Massive Particles. Blas is Spokesperson for SuperCDMS Collaboration. The SuperCDMS Soudan experiment is now operating in northern Minnesota and the SuperCDMS SNOLAB experiment has just been approved by NSF & DOE as one of two second generation WIMP search experiments.

 One of SuperCDMS's state-of-the-art detectors. 
 

Sarah's group build instrumentation to observe the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation (CMB) at millimetre wavelengths. The CMB is a virtually pristine relic of conditions in the universe approximately 400,000 years after the Big Bang and by studying it we can test our understanding of the laws of physics in the extreme conditions that occurred in the first few moments after the Big Bang. Sarah's group use telescopes located at the best sites in the world for millimetre wavelength astronomy, including the South Pole, the Chilean Andes, and Mauna Kea in Hawaii. 

   The QUaD CMB experiment at the South Pole. 
 

Peter is broadly interested in theoretical physics beyond the Standard Model, including cosmology, astrophysics, general relativity, and even atomic physics. The Standard Model leaves many questions unanswered including the nature of dark matter and the origins of the fundamental fermion masses, the weak scale, and the cosmological constant. These and other clues such as the unification of the forces are a guide to building new theories beyond the Standard Model. Peter's group are interested in inventing novel experiments to uncover this new physics.

Courtesy Fermilab Visual Media Services.

 

Giorgio's research is centred on the understanding of fundamental particles and interactions using tools borrowed from AMO, nuclear and particle physics. Giorgio's group are operating the largest double-beta decay experiment in the world (EXO-200) that is producing high sensitivity results on the mass and nature of neutrinos. His group are also investigating the nature of gravity at a scale near 1 micron using submicron size quartz beads trapped in laser fields in vacuum, and have a program to develop imaging detectors for gamma-ray astronomy as well as novel radiation detectors for application in homeland security and medical physics.

The Enriched Xenon Observatory 200 (EXO-200) neutrino experiment housed 2,150 feet below ground. Credit: EXO/WIPP/SLAC

 
  • Kent Irwin - Sensor Development for Astrophysics, Cosmology and Beyond

Kent's main science interests are in experiments that probe the nature of dark matter and dark energy, gravity at large scales, the mass and number of neutrino species, the characteristics of inflation and the cosmic gravity wave background, and the evolution of structure and disposition of baryonic matter in the universe. Kent and his team are involved in building sensors and detectors for the next generation of instruments which will shed light on these exciting questions.

One of the BICEP2 detectors which converts the light from the cosmic microwave background into heat. Credit: A Turner, JPL

 

Steve is the Director of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), a
major new facility currently under construction, that will enable a wide
array of scientific investigations ranging from studies of moving objects
in the solar system to the structure and evolution of the universe as a
whole.  His research group is primarily working on the design and
development of that facility, and its application to research in
fundamental cosmology. They are building and testing laboratory prototypes
of components of the LSST camera, and developing and utilizing detailed
simulations to investigate systematics that may arise in studies of cosmic
shear.  Prior to his engagement with LSST, Steve was an X-ray
astrophysicist, concentrating on the design of instrumentation and
analysis of data associated with high resolution X-ray spectroscopy of
cosmic sources.  He maintains an interest in that field, although at a low
level, given his commitments to LSST.

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST).
 
  • Chao-Lin Kuo - Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation: Instrumentation and Cosmology

Chao-Lin’s group use the most ancient light, the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation, emitted when the universe was in its infancy to shed light on the question of how the universe began. Currently Chao-Lin's group are involved in a number of experiments such as BICEP/BICEP2/Keck Array and have been working hard on detecting primordial B-mode polarization. His group are involved in both he design and construction of instruments as well as the data analysis and theoretical interpretation.

BICEP2 first detection of primordial B-modes. Credit the BICEP and Keck Array Team.

 

Andrei is interested in the question: What is the origin and the global structure of the universe? Andrei is an author of inflationary theory and of the theory of an eternal inflationary multiverse and he and his group are working hard on developing a testable theoretical framework for the early universe.

The Planck tensor-to-scalar ratio versus ns plot.

Bruce's main focus is the direct detection and characterization of extrasolar planets and the use of adaptive optics technology to control light. Bruce is Principal Investigator for the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) instrument which was commissioned and saw first light in late 2013. Bruce will lead a 600-star survey to discover and spectroscopically characterize young giant extrasolar planets around nearby stars. A new laboratory will be used for  developing exoplanet instrumentation for future ground and space-based telescopes, and applying adaptive optics to other applications such as microscopy. Bruce is also involved in preparations for the proposed exoplanet coronagraph on the WFIRST-AFTA telescope and other approaches to studying extrasolar planets.

First light for the Gemini Planetary Imager: a disk of dust orbiting a young star. Credit Processing by M. Perrin, Space Telescope Science Institute.

 
  • Greg Madejski - X-ray and Gamma-ray Astronomy and Astrophysics

Greg's research interests are mainly in extragalactic high-energy astrophysics. This includes (1) studies of active galactic nuclei, and an associated formation and evolution of relativistic jets; and (2) studies of clusters of galaxies, and in particular the processes responsible for the heating of the X-ray emitting intra-cluster gas. Besides taking advantage of data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Observatory, Greg is involved in analysing and interpreting observations performed with NuSTAR, a recently-launched NASA satellite, sensitive in the hard X-ray band.

Numerical simulation of a relativistic jet, emanating from the vicinity of an accreting black hole, performed by a former KIPAC post-doc J. McKinney, and R. Blandford.

 

Peter's group has interests in relativistic astrophysics ranging from gravitational wave detection to the study of neutron stars and black holes using multi-wavelength observations from radio to high-energy gamma-rays. The current focus of the group is on use of data from the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope for which Stanford University is the lead institution.

Image: NASA/A. Simonnet, Sonoma State University. Photo-illustration: Sandbox Studio

 

Vahe and his group have broad research interests covering many topics in the area of theoretical astrophysics and cosmology, with a strong focus on high-energy astrophysical processes. High-energy astrophysics research involves interpretation of non-thermal astronomical sources where particles are accelerated to very high energies and emit various kinds of radiation. These processes occur on many scales and in all sorts of objects for example in the magnetosphere of planets, in the interplanetary space, during solar and stellar flares, in the accretion disks and jets around stellar-size and super-massive black holes, at centres of galaxies, in gamma-ray bursts, in supernovae, and in the intra-cluster medium of clusters of galaxies.

Tycho's Supernova Remnant. Credit: Spitzer, Chandra and Calar Alto Telescopes.

 
  • Roger Romani - Neutron Stars and Black Holes: Observations, Modelling and Theory

Roger is interested in a variety of topics in high energy astrophysics and cosmology. Much of Roger's group are currently focused on understanding the cosmic gamma-ray sources discovered by the Fermi Space telescope, principally pulsars and blazars. This inherently multi-wavelength question requires them to use telescopes all over the world and in space in order to assemble data on these objects and then to develop and test theoretical models to explain what we see. 

Schematic of the radio (green) and gamma-ray (pink) emission from a pulsar. Credit: R. Romani.

 

Aaron's current research focus is the study of dark energy using images from the ongoing Dark Energy Survey (DES) and the  future Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). He is interested in studying dark energy using both galaxy clusters and weak gravitational lensing. His research group connects instrumental work, in particular active optics and wavefront measurements at DES and a program of camera-wide testing at LSST,  with cosmology measurements. For example, they are developing a new method to characterize the telescope+camera point spread function using optical data, to be part of the weak lensing data analysis at both DES and LSST.

The Dark Energy Camera. Credit: 

 

Phil's main research interests are in the structure and dynamics of the interior of the sun, how this affect solar activity and through this its effects on terrestrial systems. Phil's group’s primary emphasis is on the structure and dynamics of the solar interior using techniques of helioseismology. His group are interested in both developing instrumentation for solar observatories and in the data analysis of solar magnetic fields from space and from the ground.

Double-cell meridional circulation structure inside the Sun.

 

Rafe and his group are working hard on the development and commissioning of the upcoming Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) a next generation ground based optical survey telescope. The LSST group at KIPAC are working both in the lab, developing the state-of-the-art technologies necessary to preserve the LSST camera’s image quality during operation and building computer simulations of the camera and telescope performance -- a  novel area being pioneered by LSST.

The layout of the next generation LSST camera. Credit: LSSTC.

 

Leonardo is interested in understanding how the universe began and evolved to its present form. Cosmological observations are providing us with a huge amount of data, which allows us to test our theories about inflation, eternal inflation and its alternatives, and about the growth of structures in our universe, to an unprecedented level. Leonardo and his group are involved in both developing the theory and analysis of cosmological data and are working to bridge the gap between theories of the early universe and current and future data.

Evolution of the earliest time of the Universe.
 

Together with Dan Akerib, Tom works on the LUX and LZ dark matter experiments to search for dark matter in the form of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, or WIMPs. The detectors use liquid xenon as a target medium in a time projection chamber, or TPC. The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment is currently operating a 250-kg target in the former Homestake gold mine in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Preparations are underway atSLAC to design and build the 7-ton successor, known as LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ). The group is involved in many aspects of data analysis, detector design, xenon purification, control andreadout systems, and detector performance studies.

The LUX detector situated in its water shield at the 4850' level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility.

 

Bob has wide research interests in the field of gravitational astrophysics. Bob is interested in oscillations of accretion disks around black holes, and other signatures of very strong gravitational fields, sources of gravitational radiation, and their detection by LIGO and other facilities, scalar-tensor theories of gravitation and physics of the early universe.

A black hole accretion disk. Credit C. Perez.

 

Risa and her group work on a range of topics in cosmology and astrophysics, with a focus on the formation of cosmological structure in the Universe, its impact on galaxy formation, and its use in determining the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Risa's group builds and analyzes numerical simulations and develops models of galaxy formation for comparison with large observational datasets, and develops new techniques to learn about the dark side of the Universe from these data.  Her group is actively involved in the ongoing Dark Energy Survey (DES), as well as the largest future planned surveys including the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST).

Galaxy cluster formation. Visualization: R. Kaehler. Simulation: H. Wu, O. Hahn, R. Wechsler.