What research fields in physics are you working in?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the various research fields in physics that participants are currently engaged in, encompassing academia, industry, and research organizations. Participants share their experiences and areas of focus within their respective fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in gathering information about research fields from those working in physics, suggesting an open-ended response format due to previous feedback on polls.
  • Another participant humorously notes a lack of responses, implying a possible disengagement from the topic.
  • A participant identifies themselves as a nuclear engineer in Ontario, Canada, indicating a focus on applied nuclear and condensed matter physics, specifically radiation effects in materials and computational physics related to neutron, photon, and electron transport.
  • Another participant shares a diverse background in academia, detailing work on computational dynamics of dislocations, scattering theory, photoacoustic spectroscopy, and surface plasmons, along with industry experience in electronic and optical design, statistical process control, and manufacturing process redesign.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on whether to limit the discussion to those in academia or to include industry and research organizations. There is also a lack of responses from others, leaving the discussion somewhat unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a variety of research experiences and fields, but lacks clarity on the intended scope of participants' contributions, particularly regarding the inclusion of non-academic research roles.

StatGuy2000
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Hi everyone. I thought I would pose the question in the title to those on Physics Forums that are currently working in physics research (either as faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students).

I was thinking of setting up a poll, but the last time I had asked a similar question I received so much flak for missing research fields that an open-ended response would be better.

Anyways, I am looking forward to the responses!
 
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Not in academia. I'm a nuke in Ontario, Canada.
 
StatGuy2000 said:
(either as faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students).
Does one want to limit the responses to those in academia either faculty or students? What about research organizations and industry outside of academia.

In my case, it's applied nuclear and condensed matter physics - looking at radiation effects in materials, and computational physics related to neutron, photon and electron transport in materials and their consequential effects on the materials, not to mention the other aspects of heat transport and mechanical response to stress.
 
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In academia long ago on a planet far far away I did
  1. computational dynamics of dislocations in solids,
  2. theory of scattering low energy things from surfaces smooth,rough, and periodic
  3. resonant scattering processes
  4. photoacoustic spectroscopy
  5. surface plasmons for medical detectors
In industry and academic collaboration I have done electronic, optical, thermal, imaging, ranging and precision calibration design as well as statistical process control thereof and manufacturing process redesign when badly needed. I also got very good at making optically correct skin "phantoms" both on the bench and in the computer. I got paid for this ! How lucky can a person be....
 
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