The Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP) is an organized research unit within the University of California system focused on theoretical and experimental
high-energy physics
Particle physics or high energy physics is the study of fundamental particles and forces that constitute matter and radiation. The fundamental particles in the universe are classified in the Standard Model as fermions (matter particles) a ...
and
astrophysics.
Research
SCIPP's scientific and technical staff are and have been involved in several cutting edge research projects for more than 25 years, in both theory and experiment. The primary focus is particle physics and particle astrophysics, including the development of technologies needed to advance that research. SCIPP is also pursuing the application of those technologies to other scientific fields such as neuroscience and biomedicine. The Institute is recognized as a leader in the development of custom readout electronics and silicon micro-strip sensors for state-of-the-art particle detection systems. This department has several faculty associated with the
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) or the ATLAS project at
CERN.
There are many experiments being performed at any time within SCIPP but many center on Silicone Strip Particle Detectors and their properties before and after radioactive exposure. Also many of the faculty work on monte carlo simulations and tracking particles within particle colliders. Their most prominent project in recent history has been the development of the
Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope
The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (FGST, also FGRST), formerly called the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST), is a space observatory being used to perform gamma-ray astronomy observations from low Earth orbit. Its main instrument is ...
(GLAST) which searches the sky for Gamma Ray Bursts.
Members
Notable faculty include:
*
Anthony Aguirre
Anthony Aguirre is a theoretical cosmologist. Aguirre is a professor and holds the Faggin Presidential Chair for the Physics of Information at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is the co-founder and associate scientific director of the ...
, theoretical cosmologist
*
Tom Banks, c-discoverer of
M(atrix) theory in
string theory
*
George Blumenthal, astronomer, chancellor of
UCSC
*
Michael Dine, high-energy theorist, recipient of
Sakurai prize
The J. J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Particle Physics, is presented by the American Physical Society at its annual April Meeting, and honors outstanding achievement in particle physics theory. The prize consists of a monetary award ($10,000 U ...
, physics department chair
*
Howard Haber, theoretical particle physicist, recipient of Sakurai prize
*
Piero Madau, recipient of
Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics
The Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics is jointly awarded each year by the American Astronomical Society and American Institute of Physics for outstanding work in astrophysics. It is funded by the Heineman Foundation in honour of Dannie Heine ...
*
Joel Primack
Joel R. Primack (born July 14, 1945) is a professor of physics and astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz and is a member of the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics.
Primack received his A.B. from Princeton University in ...
, quantum field theorist and cosmologist, director of AstroComputing Center
*
Constance Rockosi, chair of astronomy department
*
Terry Schalk
Terry Schalk is an American physicist currently professor emeritus at University of California, Santa Cruz and an Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Education
Schalk earned his PhD at Iowa State University ...
References
External links
SCIPP @ UCSC
{{DEFAULTSORT:SCIPP
University of California, Santa Cruz
Theoretical physics institutes
Physics research institutes
Institutes associated with CERN