Astrophysics and Cosmology
In the theoretical astrophysics group we study phenomena in the universe that occur in extreme physical conditions, beyond the reach of terrestrial experiments. We investigate high-energy processes in the warped spacetimes around black holes and neutron stars, in the presence of ultra-strong magnetic fields, as well as at the very early stages of the evolution of the universe.
Members of our group are leading the theoretical modeling of quantum-electrodynamical phenomena in the atmospheres of neutron stars with magnetic fields that are trillions of times stronger than that of the earth. We have produced the first detailed models of radiation processes around the supermassive black hole in the center of the Milky Way. We have designed new quantitative tests of Einstein's theory of General Relativity. We routinely solve problems that involve magneto-hydrodynamic processes around compact objects using our group's Beowulf cluster. We are also among the first groups to study the turbulence-like behavior of the baryons and of dark matter in the early and present universe.
Our research benefits from close association with other campus-wide programs in theoretical and observational astrophysics, and our theoretical studies are closely related to observations made with nasa's space telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Faculty
Li-Zhi Fang
Professor of Physics
Diploma, 1956, Peking University
fanglz@physics.arizona.edu
Office: PAS 420D
Phone: 520-621-6809
Personal Website
Ke Chiang Hsieh
Professor of Physics
Ph.D., 1969, University of Chicago
hsieh@physics.arizona.edu
Office: PAS 565
Phone: 520-621-6772
Fulvio Melia
Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Ph.D., 1985, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
melia@physics.arizona.edu
Office: PAS 447
Phone: 520-621-9651
Personal Website
Drew Milsom
Senior Lecturer and Interim Director of Undergraduate Studies
Ph.D., 1996, Northwestern University
milsom@physics.arizona.edu
Office: PAS 557
Phone: 520-621-2678
Personal Website
Feryal Ozel
Assistant Professor of Physics
Ph.D., 2002, Harvard University
fozel@physics.arizona.edu
Office: PAS 451
Phone: 520-626-1622
Personal Website
Dimitrios Psaltis
Assistant Professor of Physics
Ph.D., 1998, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
dpsaltis@physics.arizona.edu
Office: PAS 441
Phone: 520-626-8846
Personal Website
Johann Rafelski
Professor of Physics
Dr. Phil. Nat, 1973, University of Frankfurt
rafelski@physics.arizona.edu
Office: PAS 386D
Phone: 520-990-4213
Personal Website
Ina Sarcevic
Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Ph.D., 1986, University of Minnesota
ina@physics.arizona.edu
Office: PAS 420B
Phone: 520-621-4392
Personal Website
Trevor Weekes
Office: Steward Obs.N208
Phone: 670-5726
