Spacetime Symmetries
Ohio Wesleyan Student Completes Research in Physics, Astronomy
Name: Parthey Vasani '27
Hometown: Rajkot, India
High School: SNK School
Majors: Physics and Mathematics
Minor: Computer Science
OWU Connection Experience: Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Vasani spent 10 weeks completing a research project titled "Testing Lorentz and CPT Symmetries using Neutrons." He was mentored by Yunhua Ding, Ph.D., assistant professor of Physics and Astronomy.
My Research
"This project focuses on testing foundational spacetime symmetries. These symmetries in our universe, state that the laws of physics stay the same upon flipping charge, inverting space, and reversing time, or upon changing the velocity and orientation of a system.
"We searched for symmetry-violating signals and studied their features by studying how a neutron's spin motion would change if such symmetries were allowed to be broken in nature. Using existing experimental data on the spin motion of neutrons, we constrained the sizes of those symmetry-violating signals. This way, experimentalists can know what could be expected if these symmetry violations exist."
Significant Science
"I chose this experience because it might, in the future, be the key to explaining the Baryon Asymmetry of the Universe (BAU). BAU is a question that cannot be answered by our modern understanding of physics: why there's a lot of matter, but almost no antimatter in our universe? I am intrigued by this problem and want to contribute to the research that may lead to solving it."
I have had many 'aha!' moments, which were my favorite parts of this experience.
My Favorite Moment
"I have had many 'aha!' moments, which were my favorite parts of this experience. Whenever I got stuck somewhere within my calculations, or came to an answer that did not make sense, I had to spend days, sometimes weeks, trying to figure out what I got wrong. The happiness I got when I solved a problem that I had been stuck at for weeks is what drove me forward."
Lessons Learned
"I have learned a lot of things from this research. I learned how to code in Mathematica to solve complex mathematical equations that would take hours to solve by hand. Apart from that, I have also learned the basics of Quantum Field Theory, which is an advanced version of Quantum Mechanics that explains how particles behave at small scales.
"However, the most important thing that I learned from this experience was the process of research in theoretical physics. I learned how sometimes, I will stumble upon a problem that will not be solved for a long time, which might be frustrating and demotivating, but coming up with new ideas and new methodologies to solve that problem, and looking at it from different angles, is what will eventually help me through the process."
My Faculty Mentor
"Dr. Ding is a great professor, and I have enjoyed working with him. I had always taken a keen interest in his research and was excited to work with him over the summer. I also got a great understanding of the basics of Quantum Mechanics from him in fall '23 in my Contemporary Physics class. He guided me whenever I was stuck with a problem throughout the experience and showed me what research in theoretical physics is truly about. I believe that the insights I gained from him about how to approach a problem would be really helpful to me in my career in Physics."
Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan?
"When I saw the research opportunities that students at OWU get, I knew that OWU was the college for me. I also chose OWU because of the small and closely knit environment, where I could personally work with my professors to improve myself and grow as a student and an aspiring physicist."
My Plans After Graduation
"I wish to pursue a Master's in Physics after graduating from OWU. OWU has provided me with a lot of opportunities to deepen my knowledge of Physics. The amazing faculty and opportunities here will help me a lot to fulfill my goals and gain profound knowledge and experience in my field."