Thomas D.
GutierrezDepartment of Physics
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA 95616
tgutierr@altair.ucdavis.edu
I just finished my Ph.D. in physics at the University of California, Davis, Department of Physics. My dissertation [.pdf,.ps] studies the leading particle effect for charm quarks and light gluinos in the context of the intrinsic charm model. I'm currently interested in becoming involved in the RHIC physics program at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island. I have done some of my work at Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Nuclear Theory Program, but spend most of my time with the Nuclear Group in Davis.
This year, Ramona Vogt, Jack Gunion, and I submitted a paper to Nuclear Physics B entitled Higher Twist Contributions to R-Hadron Phenomenology [.pdf,.ps]. This paper studies the possibility of leading R-hadrons by applying the intrinsic charm model to light gluinos.
Last year, Ramona Vogt and I published our first paper together entitled Leading Charm in Hadron-Nucleus Interactions in the Intrinsic Charm Model (Nucl. Phys. B539:189-214, 1999)[.pdf,.ps]. In the paper, we calculate the predicted final state forward momentum fraction multiplicities and asymmetries of hyperon, proton, and pion beams on various nuclear targets, making predictions for strange-charm hadron leading effects.
My friend Scott Johnson and I are also working on a project which will hopefully become our book: "Quantum Field Theory For Dummies" (working title). Don't expect it at Barnes and Noble any time soon.
During the regular school year, I have been a discussion TA for our 'Physics 9' series at UCD (physics for engineers and scientists).
Other physics interests include quark gluon plasma (QGP) physics, disorientated chiral condensates, intrinsic models, quantum computing, the quantum measurement problem, and pedagogical methods in physics.
Previous studies have been at San Jose State University (Department of Physics) where I received my Master's degree (1994). Research for my Master's thesis was carried out with the SILS Lab in the Exobiology Group at NASA Ames Research Center. While I was involved with the group, the project was concerned with precision measurements of C12/C13 isotope ratios in CO2 gas using infrared tunable diode laser spectroscopy. In addition to exobiology, the instrument had promising applications in geology, biology, and medical diagnostics. As an undergraduate, while working with the same research group at NASA, I received a BS in physics in as well as minors in mathematics and music (1991).
For a more complete rundown on my professional history, feel free to glance at my CV.
My interest in music exists both as a listener, a composer, and a performer (though not so much of the latter these days). Starting from an early age, I had formal lessons in the accordian (1st grade), clarinet (4th grade), organ (6th-7th grade), tuba (high school), and bass (high school onward). In high school, I played the bass in the jazz band and the tuba in the concert/marching band. I also played bass in a "hard rock" band called Osiris. Great fun! As an undergraduate, I received a minor in music and performed in several ensembles (jazz improv, pop, rock, pit orchestra, experimental etc.). The band names changed nearly daily (as is typical) but a few to remember: AAARVK, Nimoy, Fred, Dark's Ensemble, World Music Ensemble (where the director would walk in and say something like "play on the color yellow" then walk away), and The Strangers. During those years, I learned how to play guitar, bought a 4-track of my own, and did lots of personal recording. This was great! I also did quite a bit of fun stuff with Paul Lesinski (formerly of The Strangers, now in Isor Wallobee in Eugene, OR) and Kevin Brown (now an MBA and making loads of money -- still the best drummer I've ever known). Later, I became involved with some other physics blokes at SJSU (Wayne Dawson, Mark Fallis, and Mike Masuda) in a project called The Weasles. The core of it was highly improvisational, but there were certainly highly structured elements too. It served as a short but sweet creative dumping ground. Recently, I bought a new guitar, drum machine, and some neat toys to go along (effects, etc.). This has served to jump start my musical engine again, giving me just the right amount of distraction...
I couple years ago I treated myself to a Pentax K-1000 SLR camera, and haven't been able to put it down. I'm still in a learning phase, burning film continuously so as to learn how to get what I want when I want it. I've just begun developing my own film and have begun work on some minor projects with my friend David Muzzall. I primarily work in black and white, but have been very impressed with Kodak's Royal Gold (ASA 25) color film. Having borrowed an old Super 8 film camera from robot maniac Shannon Gomes, I found yet another distraction: film. Like most people trying to avoid responsiblity, I have always enjoyed film exposition -- but it only recently occured to me that I might actually be able to make films with the resources available to me. Combined video/film/music/photo projects are now in the works. I've made a few fun music videos with my brother Leo as well as some video material with Jennifer, as Darla Peterson, for the DavisHell Call of Cthulhu game.
I enjoy writing fiction, poetry, and non-fiction but I've still never had any of my personal work officially published. Feel free to stop by the E-zine The Orotund Cryptohedonologist to see some of my work (as well as the work of others) as soon as I get my act together.
Jennifer and I will be getting married October 7, 2000. We will be having our non-denominational ceremony at the Ledson Mansion off of Highway 12 in Kenwood with a 1920's/Autumn theme (however, I'm still lobbying for the midget hunchback waitors in the spirit of the gothic Ledson Mansion). Afterwards, we're going to Vermont for our honeymoon to watch the leaves change color. I agree, it is a bit non-standard, but oddly enough, we thought of the idea independently! She's currently at Brookhaven National Lab working on a number of interesting projects at RHIC in a effort to find the elusive quark gluon plasma. Since early April, her work has taken her to the Max Plank Institute in Munich where she is making great progress on some interesting programing projects associated with the pad monitor for the forward TPC at STAR.
My newest nephew Alexander Gunther Knorr-Klay was born Saturday July 17, 1999 at 11:06pm in Germany! Kristen and Ortwin are now proud parents! Good job!
My other new nephew Andrew Ray Roessler was born Wednesday June 16,1999 at about 11:47pm! Steph and Arnold went to dinner with me at the Farmers Market earlier that evening while Arnold was timing contractions (they were about 10 minutes apart at that point). Steph seemed unfazed and a couple hours later, they were parents! Real Pros!
Also, Scott and Karen Johnson have just had their first baby! Benjamin E. Johnson was born at about 5:40am Feburary 12,1999. Welcome to the world Ben!
My advisor Ramona Vogt and her husband Jorgen Randrup just had their first baby Kristina Vogt Randrup last year. Check out some of Kristina's baby pictures.
Department of Physics
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA 95616
tgutierr@altair.ucdavis.edu