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CORNELL LABORATORY FOR ACCELERATOR-BASED SCIENCES AND EDUCATION

Eva Guevara

  • Home Institution: University of Texas
  • Program: REU at CBB
  • Semester: Summer 2021
  • Expected Graduation Year: 2022
  • Mentor(s): Mark Transtrum

Q&A

What is the research you are engaged in and what have you accomplished this summer?

This summer I am simulating dissipation resulting from rough surface geometries in superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities as predicted by time dependent Ginzburg Landau (TDGL) theory. This summer I have predicted the maximum dissipation level reached in a cycle as well as the total dissipation over the geometry for a cycle for a number of geometries as motivated by experimental results.

What are the impacts of your research for the general public?

This work aims to deliver information about which rough geometries are most problematic in terms of dissipation in order to motivate future materials research to minimize these effects.

What did you enjoy most about this research/summer experience?

I have most enjoyed being a part of a larger research community and having such clarity about what the larger picture of my research is and where my project fits in. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my smaller research group and participating in the larger CBB meetings.

What did you find the most challenging about this research?

The most challenging part of this research has been the learning curve and the short length of the program. In some ways I feel like after 10 weeks I’m ready to really get started now. I’m certainly excited at this point about the prospect of longer-term research projects.

How has this experience changed your view about being a researcher?

This experience has certainly made research seem more realistic and attainable. I am still unsure as to whether graduate school is the right decision for me, but I certainly feel better equipped to make that decision after this REU experience.