Tarek Saab
Associate Professor
Education
PhD Stanford University (2002)Research Group
Astrophysics ExperimentMain Research Topics
-Experimental Astrophysics-Low temperature detectors
Research Interests
Most broadly, my research interests fall into the category of cosmology or particle astrophysics. Measurements made so far using various astronomical techniques (i.e. infra-red, optical, x-ray) have led to the construction of a specific cosmological model which describes the evolution of structures such as the galaxies we see over time. This model requires the existence of a subatomic particle (referred to as Dark Matter or WIMPs) that has yet to be observed in the laboratory. I am involved in the design and construction of experiments (in collaboration with groups at UF and across the US) with sufficient sensitivity that will allow us to observe such particles, or even possibly rule them out. Moreover, the same technology used for detecting these particles can be modified and developed for use as a high sensitivity x-ray detector which allows us to refine the cosmological model by providing more precise observations. In collaboration with colleagues at NASA GSFC I hope to be able push the performance limits of such devices.Selected Publications
D. S. Akerib, et. al First Results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search in the Soudan Underground Laboratory. Physical Review Letters, 93, 211301 id. 211301.T. Saab, et. al Characterization and modeling of transition-edge sensors for xray calorimeter arrays. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 520:281–284, 2004.
D. S. Akerib, et. al New Results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search Experiment. Physical Review D, 68:082002–+, 2003.
D. Abrams, et. al Exclusion limits on the WIMP-nucleon cross section from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search. Physical Review D, 66:122003– +, 2002.
B. A. Young, T. Saab, B. Cabrera, A. J. Miller, P. L. Brink, and J. P. Castle. Effect of implanted metal impurities on superconducting tungsten films. Journal of Applied Physics, 91:6516–6519, 2002.