Paul Gueye

Associate Professor of Physics

About

  • Joined the laboratory in September 2018
  • Experimental nuclear physics
  • Contact information

Education and training

  • MS, Physics, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal, 1990
  • PhD, Physics, Université Clermont-Ferrand II, France, 1994

Research

The nucleus of the simplest atom (hydrogen) is composed
of a single proton. With the addition of one neutron, a
heavier hydrogen (deuteron) atom can be formed but
this is also when nucleon-nucleon interactions start to
occur inside nuclei. How does nature went from hydrogen
to heavier elements? What happens when many more
nucleons are packed into a small pace? Are any of these
exotic nuclei better for imaging or therapy applications?
These and many more questions are vital to our
understanding of the universe and contribution to society.
My research is in experimental nuclear physics with a
focus on neutron-rich isotopes along the neutron dripline.
I am a member of the MoNA Collaboration that studies
these unique systems using the MoNA-LISA modular
neutron detector and a 4 Tm large gap superconducting
sweeper magnet. The Collaboration recently built a Si-
CsI telescope to enable a complementary sweeperless
experimental scientific program.

Biography

Prof. Paul Guèye received his BS and MS in Physics
and Chemistry from the University Cheikh Anta Diop
(Senegal). He obtained his Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics
from the University of Clermont-Ferrand II (France)
on electron/positron scattering off carbon and lead.
He was then a postdoc with the nuclear physics group
of Hampton University on the first the strange quark
experiment at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator
Facility (Virginia). He joined the MoNA Collaboration in
2013 to study rare isotopes at the Facility for Rare Isotope
Beams/National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory
(Michigan). He chaired the HU Physics Department in
2015-2018 and joined MSU in the Fall 2018. Scientific
discoveries require a diverse pool of students, each with
their unique talents and abilities. My group is reflective of
my passion to provide exciting opportunities for students
from multi-disciplinary background interested in gaining
some knowledge and contributing to basic and applied
nuclear physics fields.

How students can contribute as part of my research team

I am utilizing my expertise from high energy electron
scattering to enhance our existing research thrusts through
the development of a highly segmented gas electron
multiplier-based active target that will house several
thin (250-500 mm) targets, a next generation neutron
detector to provide unprecedented position (100s mm)
and timing (tens of ps) resolution, a GEANT4 Monte Carlo
simulation general framework for FRIB, and a polarized
target to enable spin dependent observables for rare
isotope research. I am also developing a compact polarized
electron/positron linac for lepton scattering experiments
off rare isotopes.

Scientific publications