Associate Professor

PhD Stanford University (2002)

Research Group

Astrophysics Experiment

Main 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.

Dark Matter Plotter

Interactive Dark matter limit database and plotter

Selected Publications

Agnese, R. et al. First Dark Matter Constraints from SuperCDMS Single-Charge Sensitive Detectors. Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 051301 (2018).

Agnese, R. et al. Projected sensitivity of the SuperCDMS SNOLAB experiment. 95, 082002 (2017).

Saab, T. & Figueroa-Feliciano, E. Experimental Concept for a Precision Measurement of Nuclear Recoil Ionization Yields for Low Mass WIMP Searches. J. Low Temp Phys 184, 1–7 (2016).

Saab, T. An Introduction to Dark Matter Direct Detection Searches & Techniques. in 711–738 (WORLD SCIENTIFIC, 2013). doi:10.1142/9789814390163_0011