Searching for Dark Matter with Precison Pulsar Timing

The goal is to use gravity induced relativistic time delays to search for mass concentrations along the path of radio pulses coming from precision millisecond pulsars.  There are many problems to be solved.  How to distinguish a gravitational induced signal from other sources of delay such as electromagnetic interaction with matter along the way.  How to deal with overlapping signals.  How to stabilize nonlinear fits.  How to estimate errors on the fit parameters.  The goal is to map out dark matter using a new method and to apply it in regions that can not be studied with other methods, such as outside the galactic plane.

The student is expected to spend from 3 to 5 hours a week on the research project and to stay in touch with the project manager at least once a week and whenever they get stuck.  The student is expected to think for themselves and to contribute unique ideas to the project.

Name of research group, project, or lab
Dark Matter
Website
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=%20losecco%20pulsars%20%22…
Why join this research group or lab?

This project is for the curious student who would like to go beyond the classroom and get hands on experience in extracting knowledge from precision data.  Curiosity and independent thinking are important.

Representative publication
U3APulsarDelayNAM24+hints.pdf
Logistics Information:
Project categories
Physics & Astronomy
Student ranks applicable
Junior
Senior
Graduate Student
Student qualifications

Students must be comfortable programming computers for data analysis.  Students with an understanding of dark matter and its role in the galaxy will be given preference.  An understanding of the intricacies of nonlinear fitting would also be an asset.

Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours
Compensation
Research for Credit
Unpaid - Volunteer
Number of openings
3
Techniques learned

Programming in python and C,  Nonlinear fitting,  Data analysis,  Applied general relativity,  Electromagnetic wave propagation,  creativity,  thinking "outside the box"

Project start
When available or start of the spring semester.
This project will use an Expectations and Structure agreement.
Expectations and Structure

Students are expected to spend 3 to 5 hours a week engaged on the project.  Students are required to keep in touch with the principal investigator with weekly contact and when progress slows.  The PI can usually get the student back on track once contact is made.

Contact Information:
Mentor
John LoSecco
losecco@nd.edu
Professor
Name of project director or principal investigator
John LoSecco
Email address of project director or principal investigator
losecco@nd.edu
3 sp. | 0 appl.
Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours
Project categories
Physics & Astronomy