Auburn researchers play role in antimatter breakthrough featured in journal Nature

A recent scientific breakthrough could lead to changes in the world of antimatter physics, according to Francis Robicheaux, an Auburn University physics professor and member of ALPHA, the international team of scientists conducting the antimatter research. Last year the ALPHA (Anti-Hydrogen Laser Physics Apparatus) team was able to trap and hold the antimatter version of the hydrogen atom. They have now accomplished the goal they set at that time of being able to measure the fundamental properties of antihydrogen. An article in this week’s edition of the journal Nature, titled “Resonant quantum transitions in trapped antihydrogen atoms,” describes the progress made in that research. The article reports that ALPHA has made yet another monumental step toward being able to make defendable and precise comparisons between atoms of matter and those of antimatter. Recently, Robicheaux and collaborators were able to measure the frequency needed to alter the magnetic properties of the antihydrogen atom by sending microwaves through the atom trap. “This is the first baby step into doing great experiments with antihydrogen atoms,” Robicheaux said. “This is the first time any properties of antihydrogen have been measured with any type of precision.”

Auburn University Space Program to launch state's first student-built satellite into space

Auburn's famous battle cry, "War Eagle," will be heard from space Oct. 27 when it is transmitted to earth from a student-built satellite known as "AubieSat-1." The construction of the satellite is part of the Auburn University Student Space Program, and AubieSat-1 is the first student-built satellite in the state to be accepted by NASA for launch. The satellite will launch aboard a NASA-sponsored Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Once in space, the satellite will communicate with Auburn students in Morse Code, and the phrase "War Eagle" is the signal that the launch was successful and the satellite is in orbit and operating correctly.

COSAM to host international workshop featuring nuclear fusion

From Oct. 6 through 8, the College of Sciences and Mathematics, or COSAM, will host the 2011 Atomic Data and Analysis Structure, or ADAS, workshop at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center. This year marks the first time the ADAS workshop has been held outside of Europe.

Auburn University and Auburn City Schools educators fly in NASA's "Weightless Wonder"

Educators from Auburn University and Auburn City Schools floated like astronauts during a once-in-a-lifetime flight on NASA's "Weightless Wonder" aircraft. The team of six educators call themselves the "Flying Tigers," and as they floated, they conducted experiments that were set up in a clear plastic box to see how various objects and scientific concepts would alter under a reduced gravity environment. According to the team, words cannot accurately describe the feeling of being weightless.

AU Student Space Program featured on Alabama Public Television

Alabama Public Television did a feature on COSAM's Auburn University Student Space Program as they prepare for the launch of the first student-built satellite in the state, AubieSat-1.

Physics Professor given the John Dawson Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research

Last year, an international team of scientists, including Auburn University Physics Professor Francis Robicheaux, made a scientific breakthrough by trapping and holding the anti-matter version of the hydrogen atom. The international team, known as ALPHA, was recently awarded the John Dawson Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research for the introduction and use of innovative plasma techniques which produced the first demonstration of trapping antihydrogren.

Physics professor receives $2.1 million grant

Physics Professor and Director of the Plasma Sciences Laboratory, Edward Thomas, received an NSF award through the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program. This competitive program research training in our nation's institutions of higher education, museums, science centers and not-for-profit organizations. The total amount awarded to Thomas is $2.1 million, which includes a 30 percent cost-sharing by Auburn University. This project represents one of the largest MRI projects ever awarded to Auburn University.

Auburn University's Student Space Program was featured on NBC 38

Auburn University's Student Space Program, which is directed by Physics Professor J-M Wersigner, was featured on NBC 38. The program's student-built satellite, Aubie-Sat, is scheduled to launched into space on Oct. 25, 2011. When the satellite is launched, Aubie-Sat will be the first student-built satellite in the state to go into space.

Physics professor involved in anti-matter breakthrough

Last year, an international team of scientists including Auburn University physics professor Francis Robicheaux made a scientific breakthrough by trapping and holding the anti-matter version of the hydrogen atom. When the discovery was initially announced, the team, known as ALPHA, had captured 38 atoms of antihydrogen, storing each for a mere sixth of a second. Since then, ALPHA has made significant progress by trapping 309 antihydrogen atoms, with some held for as long as 15 minutes.