Brian E. Fick

Brian E. Fick

Contact

  • Professor Emeritus, Physics
  • PhD, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Research Description

Where do the highest energy cosmic rays come from? Why do nanoscopic particles have such macroscopic energies? What kind of astrophysical or cosmological process can accelerate or create such particles? The phenomenon of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays is the single largest departure from thermal equilibrium of anything anyone has ever seen in the universe.

Researchers at Michigan Tech are finding answers to these questions using the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory. The group at Tech is responsible for the Auger surface detector trigger electronics, atmospheric monitoring equipment, and hybrid reconstruction software. We are also heavily involved in analyzing the incoming data.

Specialties

  • Experimental Astroparticle Physics