James A. Musser
Professor
High Energy Astrophysics & Neutrino Physics
B.A., University of Arizona, 1979.
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1984.
Postdoctoral Position: University of Michigan.
Phone: Swain West 303 (812)855-9933 | Swain West 117 (812)855-1247
Email: jmusser@indiana.edu
MINOS is an experiment based at Fermilab which is designed to search for oscillations between neutrino species. Recent results from a number of recent experiments have suggested that muon neutrinos are mixing (oscillating) with a second neutrinos species, most probably with the tau neutrino. Mixing between neutrino species is possible only if neutrinos are massive, contrary to present assumptions. MINOS promises to provide an exceptionally important result in one of the most exciting and active areas of particle physics research at this time.
SNAP (SuperNova/ Acceleration Probe) is a satellite experiment designed to verify the remarkable cosmological discovery that the Universal expansion is accelerating, and to determine the nature and evolution of the "dark energy" driving this acceleration. Recent measurements carried out by the Supernova Cosmology Project (SCP) and the High-Z Supernova team have made the startling discovery that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. This result is based on the Hubble diagram for type Ia supernovae, and has been corroborated by results from several experiments, both similar and complementary. Einstein's General Theory of Relativity requires that some mechanism must drive this expansion rate either through a new form of energy, such as a new vacuum energy density (cosmological constant), or a yet unknown kind of particle or field fundamental to the creation and formation of the universe. The SNAP mission is expected to provide an understanding of the mechanism driving the acceleration of the universe. The satellite observatory will be capable of measuring up to 2,000 distant supernovae each year of the three-year mission lifetime. SNAP is presently in a 'pre-CD0' R&D phase. The current schedule for SNAP development calls for a launch in 2010.
Selected Publications
- A Combined Analysis Technique for the Search for Magnetic Monopoles (MACRO Collaboration)Astroparticle Phy, 18, 27 (2002)
- Discovery of a bright Plutino (QUEST Collaboration) Astrophysics J. 548, L243 (2001).*
- Cosmic Ray Electrons and Positrons from 1 to 100 GeV: Measurements with HEAT and their Interpretation, Astrophysical Journal 559, 296 (2001).*
- Neutrino Astronomy with the MACRO Detector, (MACRO Collaboration), Astrophysical J 546 (2) 1038 (2001).*
- The Low-Redshift Quasar-Quasar Correlation Function from an Extragalactic H Alpha Emission-Line Survey to z=0.4 (QUEST Collaboration) Astrophysical J. 548, 585 (2001).*
