Professor Ashraf Alam

Physics

Properties of electrons in a material define most of its characteristics. One unique way to study properties of electrons in technologically relevant systems is to use the anti-particle of the electron (a positron) as a probe. When a positron injected into the material under investigation meets an electron of the host material, both annihilate producing two gamma rays, each carrying an energy equivalent to the rest mass of the particles. Observations of the properties of these gamma photons lead to conclusions of structural and/or dynamic nature of these materials. Using this technique as a tool, my research encompasses diverse materials: from superconducting/magnetic metallic systems to food and pharmaceutical polymers.

Image Credit: Chrystal Cherniwchan