Embry-Riddle Students Earn Recognition for Complex Space Physics Research

Three Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University undergraduates have earned awards for their space physics research exploring gravitational waves, the nature of spacetime and particle physics.

The students — Miriam Biehle, Dario Walter-Cardona and Logan Caudle — each earned top honors for their presentations at the American Physical Society (APS) Four Corners Meeting, which drew participants from universities, industry and government laboratories across Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. 

At the meeting, held in October 2024, each student received a Four Corners Undergraduate Presentation Award. The awards recognize contributions to space physics research that could shape the future of scientific discovery.

“To have our students win three out of the eight possible awards at this year’s APS Four Corners Meeting is a testament to their dedication and the support from our university’s faculty,” said Dr. Brennan Hughey, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy on the Prescott Campus. “This achievement is especially notable given the diversity of students and institutions competing across four states.”

Making Waves in Physics

Miriam Biehle, a sophomore majoring in Space Physics, addressed questions about Standing Accretion Shock Instability (SASI), a turbulent process in the core collapse of supermassive stars that produce gravitational waves, which are described as ripples in spacetime. Detecting these waves can provide critical insights into star death and the formation of black holes or neutron stars.

Current technology struggles to detect SASI signals at all amplitudes and distances within our galaxy. To address this, Biehle proposes using advanced computing models and machine learning tools to improve the detection and analysis of gravitational wave signals.

Future applications of her work could enable astronomers to detect SASI-generated gravitational waves more reliably. 

There were a lot of amazing presentations, and some of the other students had more practice presenting than I did,” said Biehle. “It was inspiring to see the number of different pathways available through space physics.”

Dr. Michele Zanolin, a professor of physics and Biehle’s faculty mentor, said he was thrilled to see Miriam and her fellow students recognized for their hard work and dedication. 

Unlocking Unseen Potentials

Sophomore Space Physics student Dario Walter-Cardona presented his research on Lorentz Symmetry Breaking Potentials, a theory exploring deviations from the fundamental principle of Lorentz Symmetry.

“Lorentz Symmetry means the laws of physics remain the same in any frame,” said Walter-Cardona. “If I performed an experiment and rotated an entire laboratory, the results would be the same. By breaking Lorentz Symmetry, a background field in spacetime is introduced that doesn’t rotate with the laboratory.”

His studies modeled this theoretical background field in flat spacetime, revealing that space might harbor hidden forces, particularly in extreme environments like black holes. While the equation lacks an analytical solution, his methods suggest spacetime may not be empty. 

Dr. Quentin Bailey, professor of physics, praised the research. “The existence of such a field could reshape our understanding of space, time and gravity. This research opens pathways to explore new theories and experimental methods, potentially leading to future discoveries,” he said. 

For Walter-Cardona, presenting alongside graduate students at the summit was daunting but rewarding. “I wasn’t confident I should’ve presented alongside them,” he said. “But thanks to Dr. Bailey and my professors for helping me understand the context necessary to my research, I have strengthened my understanding of physics.” 

Cosmic Ray Calibration

Logan Caudle, who will earn his bachelor’s degree in Space Physics in May, explored using particles from Earth’s upper atmosphere to calibrate neutrino detectors for the Coherent CAPTAIN-Mills (CCM) experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory. By using “Michel Electrons”— particles produced when cosmic ray muons decay — Caudle aims to fine-tune the lab’s 10-ton liquid argon chamber to detect elusive neutrinos.

Caudle’s research showcases an innovative method of refining experimental physics tools using naturally occurring cosmic rays while contributing to the broader understanding of particle physics.

Participation in the APS conference allowed Caudle and others to practice relaying complex research effectively. “It felt good,” Caudle said. “It helped me understand how to communicate what I was working on to people who may not know the specifics but still have a good understanding of physics.”

Posted In: Applied Science | Space