About me
I am currently an associate professor in the physics department at the University of Texas Arlington. Before this I was a postdoctoral researcher with Syracuse University from 2012 - 2015 working with Prof. Mitch Soderberg. I received my PhD in 2012 from Texas A&M University under Prof. David Toback. I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2004 with a B.S in physics.
My current research interests focus on understanding the most abundant massive particle in the universe, the neutrino. These neutral particles interact very weakly with ordinary matter, making their detection and study an excitingly challenging research project. The driving questions in my research which the neutrino could hold the answer to are:
Do we understand the fundamental symmetries of the universe
What is the origin of the matter/antimatter asymmetry in the universe
Is the three-flavor paradigm description of neutrino oscillations the accurate description for neutrino interactions
A great overview of all the physics associated with neutrinos can be found at http://neutrinos.fnal.gov/
To answer these and associated questions the I focus on using the neutrino detector technology known as a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC). This detector technology offers precision tracking and energy reconstruction capabilities to provide unparalleled insight into neutrino interactions and the associated neutrino properties.
You can find out some more information about LArTPC’s and how they work in the video below:
In addition to my physics research, I continue to pursue a number of my passions including rock climbing, cycling, and generally getting to be outside with my family which includes my wife Heather, my oldest daughter Eleanor, my youngest daughter Margaret, and my dog Marnie
Me and the family
Heather (wife), Eleanor (oldest daughter), and Margaret (youngest daughter)
Climbing in Joshua Tree
If you are interested in learning more about my research and the group of students and postdocs I work with at UTA, follow the button below
Contact
➤ Office LOCATION
700 Planetarium Pl
Chemistry and Physics Building
Office: SH 108
Lab: CPB 119 / 120
Arlington, TX 76010
☎ CONTACT
jonathan.asaadi@uta.edu
(817) 272-7439
Current Experiments and Research
Q-Pix Readout
This experiment endevours to realize a pixel-based, 3D readout technology based on the novel readout scheme (known as Q-Pix) with low detection thresholds enabling discovery of new physics at the very limit of detection.
ICARUS
The ICARUS neutrino detector measures 65 feet long and weighs 760 tons. It began its life in Gran Sasso Laboratory in Italy, seeking out elusive particles using pioneering technology. It later spent two years undergoing upgrades at CERN, the European particle physics laboratory and home of the Large Hadron Collider. It moved to Fermilab in 2017 and was installed in its detector hall in 2018.
Deep underground neutrino Experiment (DUNE)
The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a leading-edge, international experiment for neutrino science and proton decay studies. Discoveries over the past half-century have put neutrinos, the most abundant matter particles in the universe, in the spotlight for further research into several fundamental questions about the nature of matter and the evolution of the universe — questions that DUNE will seek to answer.
Short baseline near detector (SBND)
The Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND) will be one of three liquid argon neutrino detectors sitting in the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) at Fermilab as part of the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program. MicroBooNE and the ICARUS-T600 are the intermediate and far detectors in the program, respectively.
SBND is a 112 ton active volume liquid argon time projection chamber(LArTPC) to be located only 110 m from the BNB neutrino source. The detector is currently in the design phase and is anticipated to begin operation in 2020.
MicroBooNE
The Micro-Booster Neutrino Experiment (MicroBooNE) is a large 170-ton liquid-argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) neutrino experiment located on the Booster neutrino beamline at Fermilab. The experiment first started collecting neutrino data in October 2015.
MicroBooNE will investigate the low energy excess events observed by the MiniBooNE experiment, measure a suite of low energy neutrino cross sections, and investigate astro-particle physics.
ArgonCUBE
The ArgonCube collaboration proposes an advanced approach for bulding Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPCs). Two principal novelties of ArgonCube are a modular design and a fully pixelated charge readout. Splitting a large detector into independent modules allows for reduced requirements to drift potentials and argon purity which drastically reduces operation risks related to electric breakdown and purity losses, respectively. The pixelated charge readout provides an unambiguous event topology reconstruction, vital to prevent pile up in high multiplicity environments. The scintillation light contained within each module is used to provide precise timing information for neutrino events.
Previous Experiments
liquid Argon in a test beam (LARIAT)
LArIAT is a small volume Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) dedicated to the calibration and precise characterization of output response of these detectors. LArIAT uses a charged particle test beam to provide a controlled environment in which to tune simulations and to develop tools for particle identification, calorimetry, and event reconstruction without relying solely on simulation. I currently serve as the co-spokesperson of this experiment along with Dr. Jen Raaf from Fermilab
“This, too, shall pass”