Nicholas B. Conklin

• Concepts in Physics (PHYS 101)
• College Physics 1 (PHYS 105)
• College Physics 1 Lab (PHYS 106)
• College Physics 2 (PHYS 108)
• College Physics 2 Lab (PHYS 109)
• Fundamentals of Physics 2 (PHYS 212)

• Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 2009
• B.S., Grove City College, 2001

• Y. S. Yoon et al. (2017), “Proton and Helium Spectra from the CREAM-III Flight,” The Astrophysical Journal, 839, pp. 5-13
• N. B. Conklin, W. Lee, E. A. Nieman (2015), “Demonstration of Silicon Photomultiplier’s Suitability for Use on Balloon-Borne Cosmic-Ray Detectors,” Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, 781, pp. 71-77
• Y. S. Yoon et al. (2011), “Cosmic-Ray Proton and Helium Spectra From the First CREAM Flight,” The Astrophysical Journal, 728, pp. 122-130
• H. S. Ahn et al. (2010), "Measurements of the Relative Abundances of High-Energy Cosmic-Ray Nuclei in the TeV/Nucleon Region," The Astrophysical Journal, 715, pp. 1400-1407
• H. S. Ahn et al. (2010), "Discrepant Hardening Observed in Cosmic-Ray Elemental Spectra," The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 714, pp. L89-L93
• H. S. Ahn et al. (2009), "Energy Spectra of Cosmic-Ray Nuclei at High Energies," The Astrophysical Journal, 707, pp. 593-603
• H. S. Ahn et al. (2009), "The Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass (CREAM) Timing Charge Detector," Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, 602, pp. 525-536
• H. S. Ahn et al. (2008), "Measurements of Cosmic-ray Secondary Nuclei at High Energies with the First Flight of the CREAM Balloon-borne Experiment," Astroparticle Physics, 30, pp. 133-141
• E. S. Seo et al. (2008), "CREAM: 70 Days of Flight from 2 Launches in Antarctica," Advances in Space Research, 42, pp. 1656-1663
• S. Wakely et al. (2008), "First Measurements of Cosmic-ray Nuclei at High Energy with CREAM," Advances in Space Research, 42, pp. 403–408
• P.S. Marrocchesi et al. (2008),"Preliminary Results from the Second Flight of CREAM," Advances in Space Research, 41, pp. 2002-2009
• N. H. Park et al. (2007), "Beam Test of a Dual Layer Silicon Charge Detector (SCD) for the CREAM Experiment," Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, 581, pp. 133-135
• H. S. Ahn et al. (2007), "The Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass (CREAM) Instrument," Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, 579, pp. 1034-1053
• M. Mangin-Brinet et al. (2007), "CHERCAM: A Cherenkov Imager for the CREAM Experiment," Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, 572(1), pp. 410-412
• S. Coutu et al. (2007), "Design and Performance in the First Flight of the Transition Radiation Detector and Charge Detector of the CREAM Balloon Instrument," Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, 572, pp. 485-487
• I.H. Park et al. (2007), "Silicon Charge Detector for the CREAM Experiment," Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, 570, pp. 286-291
• I.H. Park et al. (2004), "Heavy Ion Beam Test Results of the Silicon Charge Detector for the CREAM Cosmic Ray Balloon Mission," Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, 535, pp. 158-161
• P.S. Marrocchesi et al. (2004), "Construction and Test of a Tungsten/Sci-Fi Imaging Calorimeter for the CREAM Experiment," Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, 535, pp. 143
• E. S. Seo et al. (2004), "Cosmic-ray energetics and mass (CREAM) balloon project," Advances in Space Research, 33, pp. 1777-1785

My area of expertise is high-energy particle astrophysics, particularly cosmic rays.  Primary cosmic rays are largely composed of bare atomic nuclei (although there are a few electrons and photons in the mix) traveling near the speed of light.  When these particles encounter Earth’s atmosphere, they interact, causing cascades of secondary particles.  Over the past few years, I have worked with a faculty member in the ECE department and numerous undergrad students from across engineering and the sciences on small balloon payloads aimed at directly detecting primary cosmic rays.  Please let me know if you are interested; we are always happy to welcome another student to the project!