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Loretta Johnson Assistant Professor of Physics
B.A. Grinnell College, Physics 1992 |
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Research
I study neutrino oscillations and interactions to understand and predict the complex accumulation of data from a wide variety of neutrino experiments. To date, these experiments have confirmed that there are three types of neutrinos, at least two of these have small but nonzero masses, and pairs of neutrino types mix (probably maximally) in atmospheric showers and the sun. Near future (by 2005) experiments will further confirm this and more precisely determine the degree of mixing. Within the next 20 years, the variety and precision of experiments should allow determination of whether unusual neutrino interactions or CP violation are present.
My research delves into how one would recognize unusual neutrino interactions or CP violation and whether it will be possible to observe either at near future experiments. This is work I have been pursuing for some time with Doug McKay at University of Kansas. During the summer of 2000, two juniors at Grinnell College, Sarah Campbell and Sarah Nuss-Warren, worked with me to look particularly at the issues of CP violation from unusual neutrino interactions at a Neutrino Factory and the possibility of tau neutrino detection in the near detector at MINOS, respectively.
My research involves using math (algebra, trigonometry, calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations) and computer simulations to understand neutrino flavor in various experiments.
Lately I have also been working with Maury Goodman of Argonne National Lab (MINOS Collaboration) on "wrong-sign" neutrinos in accelerator experiments. These "wrong-sign" neutrinos can arise from beam impurities or software misidentification of muon sign.
Teaching
I am especially concerned with collaborative, active learning, particularly discovery-based learning. While teaching at Grinnell College, I taught a section of Mark Schneider's workshop physics class, and I am adapting some of that material for classes at Kalamazoo College.
I find teaching introductory physics to be highly challenging and rewarding. In addition, I enjoy teaching modern physics and electrodynamics. On occasion I have been fortunate enough to teach courses in my sub-field and on women and science.
Course links: Relativity and Quantum Physics
(Fall), Quantum Mechanics
(Fall), Advanced Electricity and
Magnetism (Winter), Women and Science (Spring),
Introductory Physics I (Winter), Introductory Physics II
(Spring).
Some SIP ideas.
More information about me: abbreviated
CV.
In addition to my physics interests, I also play violin in the Kalamazoo College
and Community Orchestra and enjoy gardening, reading, crocheting, and cross-stitch.