A New Chapter of my PhD Has Begun

Andrew Dotson
28 Oct 202213:24
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, Andrew Dotson shares his journey as a PhD student in theoretical nuclear physics, focusing on proton structure and effective field theories. He describes his research on particle interactions, scattering experiments, and the use of theories like soft collinear effective theory (SCET) to simplify complex quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculations. Andrew also recounts his experience attending a TMD winter school and receiving a summer job offer at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and teaching in advancing his understanding of quantum field theory, while acknowledging his primary focus on his academic pursuits.

Takeaways
  • 🔬 The video is sponsored by NordVPN.
  • 📚 The creator is currently doing a PhD in theoretical Nuclear Physics at New Mexico State University.
  • ⚛️ Their research focuses on the proton's structure, which is a composite particle made of quarks and gluons.
  • 🔍 The research involves scattering experiments at particle accelerators to probe the internal structure of matter.
  • 🌐 They have been studying properties of the proton, like the D term and transverse distributions of quarks and gluons.
  • 📖 They attended a TMD winter school program to learn more about transverse momentum-dependent Parton distribution functions.
  • 🏆 They received an award for asking insightful questions at the TMD winter school and were offered a job at Los Alamos National Lab.
  • 🔧 They are learning to work with Soft Collinear Effective Theory (SCET) to make predictions about particle jets in high-energy scattering experiments.
  • 🛠️ Effective field theory simplifies calculations by integrating out less relevant degrees of freedom.
  • 👨‍🏫 The creator aspires to teach Quantum Field Theory (QFT) to deepen their own understanding and help others learn.
Q & A

  • What was the speaker's dream job during their undergraduate studies?

    -The speaker's dream job was to be paid by a National Lab to stand in front of a whiteboard and play with equations all day.

  • What is the speaker currently doing in terms of education?

    -The speaker is currently pursuing their PhD in theoretical Nuclear Physics at New Mexico State University.

  • What is a proton and why is it significant in the speaker's research?

    -A proton is a composite particle made of other constituents, and it is significant in the speaker's research because they are studying its internal structure, which is part of their broader interest in proton structure.

  • Why are particle accelerators necessary for probing the internal structure of matter?

    -Particle accelerators are necessary because they allow for large scattering experiments that help in predicting the results of interactions at a particle level, which is crucial for understanding the internal structure of matter.

  • What is a generalized parton distribution and how does it relate to the speaker's research?

    -A generalized parton distribution is a concept that helps in developing a three-dimensional picture of the proton, offering insights into how quarks are distributed in transverse positions, which is directly related to the speaker's research on proton structure.

  • What are transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) and why are they important?

    -TMDs are functions that provide information about the transverse momentum distribution of quarks and gluons within a proton, which is important for understanding the distribution of orbital angular momentum and other properties of these particles.

  • What is the significance of the speaker receiving the 'most insightful questions' award and a job offer?

    -The award and job offer signify that the speaker's approach to asking questions and engaging with the material was recognized as valuable, leading to an opportunity to work at Los Alamos National Lab.

  • What is the historical significance of Los Alamos National Lab mentioned in the script?

    -Los Alamos National Lab was created during World War II and played a crucial role in the development and testing of the world's first nuclear weapons, marking a significant chapter in the history of nuclear physics.

  • What is an effective field theory and how does it differ from a more complete theory like QCD?

    -An effective field theory is a simplified version of a more complete theory, like QCD, that is used for specific calculations. It makes calculations easier by integrating out less relevant degrees of freedom, but it cannot predict certain fundamental constants that the complete theory can.

  • What is SCET (Soft Collinear Effective Theory) and how is it used in the speaker's research?

    -SCET is an effective field theory used for describing physics where jets of particles are produced in the final state. The speaker is working with SCET to make predictions regarding high-energy scattering experiments involving particle jets.

  • What challenges did the speaker face while working on their project at Los Alamos National Lab?

    -The speaker faced challenges such as making mistakes with the optical theorem and Wix theorem, and discovering gaps in their understanding of quantum field theory, which they had to address in order to make progress in their research.

Outlines
00:00
🔬 From Undergrad Dreams to Proton Research

The video starts with the narrator discussing his undergraduate dream of working at a National Lab to explore physics equations. Now pursuing a PhD in theoretical nuclear physics at New Mexico State University, he focuses on proton structure, exploring how particles interact and the properties of protons. This involves large-scale scattering experiments to probe internal structures and predict outcomes based on charge and spin distributions. His research on the proton's properties, including the D term related to pressure distribution and quark transverse positions, aims to develop a 3D picture of the proton. This section emphasizes the complexity and importance of these calculations in understanding fundamental physics.

05:02
📚 Learning TMDs at Winter School

The narrator shares his experience attending a TMD (Transverse Momentum Dependent Parton Distributions) winter school in Santa Fe. The school offered lectures on nuclear physics, a topic not well-covered in textbooks. He set a goal to ask thoughtful questions during each lecture, which led to him receiving an award for most insightful questions and a job offer from Los Alamos National Lab. This part highlights the value of interactive learning experiences and networking in advancing one's academic career.

10:03
🔧 Working on Effective Field Theory at Los Alamos

Now at Los Alamos National Lab, the narrator describes his current work on effective field theory, specifically SCET (Soft Collinear Effective Theory), to make predictions about particle jets in high-energy scattering experiments. He explains the analogy of effective field theories being like specialized tools (screwdrivers) compared to the more complex full theories (Swiss Army knives). This section delves into the intricacies of theoretical physics calculations and the process of simplifying complex theories to make specific predictions.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡NordVPN
NordVPN is a virtual private network service provider mentioned as the sponsor of the video. It offers security and privacy solutions for online browsing, including preventing data collection and blocking malware. In the script, NordVPN is highlighted as a one-stop shop for cybersecurity, emphasizing its importance in a world where privacy is increasingly at risk.
💡Theoretical Nuclear Physics
Theoretical Nuclear Physics is the field the speaker is pursuing a PhD in, which involves the study of the nucleus of atoms and the forces that govern it. The script discusses how this field is deeply connected to understanding the structure of protons and the scattering experiments that help reveal this structure.
💡Proton Structure
Proton Structure refers to the internal composition and arrangement of particles within a proton. The script mentions that the proton is a composite particle made of 'stuff', indicating that it is not elementary but composed of smaller constituents like quarks and gluons.
💡Scattering Experiments
Scattering Experiments are a method used in physics to probe the internal structure of particles by firing beams of particles at targets and observing how they scatter. The script discusses how these experiments are crucial for understanding the properties of protons and their interactions.
💡Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs)
Generalized Parton Distributions are a concept in the script that relates to the distribution of quarks within a proton in three dimensions. The speaker mentions GPDs as promising for developing a detailed picture of the proton's structure.
💡Transverse Momentum Distribution
Transverse Momentum Distribution refers to the distribution of the momentum of particles in a direction perpendicular to the beam's motion. The script discusses how probing this distribution can provide insights into the orbital angular momentum of quarks and gluons within a proton.
💡Transverse Momentum Dependent Parton Distribution Functions (TMDs)
TMDs are a specialized set of parton distribution functions that give information about the momentum of partons (quarks and gluons) in a transverse direction. The script describes the complexity and importance of TMDs in understanding the behavior of particles in scattering experiments.
💡Los Alamos National Lab
Los Alamos National Lab is mentioned as a prestigious research institution where the speaker was offered a summer research position. It is historically known for its role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II and continues to be a leading center for scientific research.
💡Effective Field Theory
Effective Field Theory is a simplified model used to describe physical phenomena at certain energy scales, integrating out less relevant degrees of freedom. The script explains how this theory is used to make specific calculations in particle physics more manageable, such as predicting particle jet production.
💡Soft Collinear Effective Theory (SCET)
SCET is a specific type of effective field theory mentioned in the script that is useful for describing processes involving jets of particles. It focuses on the relevant degrees of freedom for high-energy particles moving along light-like trajectories, simplifying calculations in certain scenarios.
💡Jets
In the context of the script, jets refer to streams of collimated particles produced when a quark inside a proton is struck. The properties of these jets can provide information about the original quark and the nuclear force, making them a key area of study in particle physics.
Highlights

Sponsored by NordVPN, emphasizing the importance of online security and privacy.

The speaker's dream job is to be paid by a National Lab to work with equations all day.

Currently pursuing a PhD in theoretical Nuclear Physics at New Mexico State University, focusing on proton structure.

Explaining the complexity of the proton as a composite particle and the necessity of scattering experiments to probe internal structure.

Research interests include properties of the proton like the D term and generalized parton distributions to develop a 3D picture of the proton.

Attended a TMD winter school program in Santa Fe, learning about transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions.

Received a job offer from Los Alamos National Lab after impressing with insightful questions at the TMD winter school.

Los Alamos National Lab's historical significance, particularly its role in the development of nuclear weapons during WWII.

Currently working on effective field theory to make predictions in high-energy scattering experiments, focusing on producing jets of particles.

Describing the use of effective field theory as a specialized tool for specific calculations, simplifying complex theories like Quantum Chromodynamics.

Using the example of beta decay to illustrate how effective field theory simplifies calculations by integrating out less relevant degrees of freedom.

Research project involves Soft Collinear Effective Theory (SCET), useful for describing physics where jets of particles are produced.

Struggles with learning and applying effective field theory, including overcoming gaps in knowledge and making mistakes.

Highlighting the value of teaching complex subjects like QFT to deepen personal understanding.

Expressing the challenges of balancing PhD research projects with making educational videos.

Future plans to create a QFT series to enhance both personal knowledge and provide educational content.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
PhysicsProton StructureNuclear PhysicsPhD JourneyResearchEffective Field TheoryParticle ScatteringQuarksLos AlamosTheoretical Physics