Research Rotation Project

Deuteron formation in low density matter

Kevin Schmidt
Home Department - Physics
Areas of Study - Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
Office - PSF 334
Phone - 4809658240
E-mail - kevin.schmidt@asu.edu
Designation - Theoretical

In the outer crust of neutron stars, protons and neutrons cluster to form nuclei in the neutron matter, while at higher densities, the protons are dissolved in the neutron matter. Exactly how these clusters form and whether there is a phase transition with phase separation or cross over behavior is unknown. In order to make progress on understanding the structure of the neutron star outer crust, you will study the formation of the simplest compound nucleus, a deuteron (a bound state of a proton and neutron), by using quantum Monte Carlo techniques to simulate the properties of 1 protron in a sea of neutrons. The formation of a deuteron will be signaled by a change in the proton neutron correlations. Some knowledge of computer programming will be helpful.