Research Summary
My current research is the study of the origin and nature of ultra high energy cosmic rays with the Telescope Array. The central Utah observatory measures particle showers induced by cosmic rays arriving at the Earth over an area of 750 square miles. The observatory includes 60 telescopes and nearly 800 scintillator detectors spread over ~1800 square km in central Utah.
Education
- Ph.D., Department of Physics and Astronomy - Elementary Particle Physics, Rutgers University . Project: Measurement of the CP Violation Parameter η+−γ in a neutral kaon experiment, E773, at Fermilab (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory). The parameter η+−γ characterizes CP violation in the interference between the decays of K_L and K_S → π+π−γ.
- S.B. Physics and Math, A.B. Economics, Physics, Math, Economics, University of Chicago
- M.S. , Particle Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Biography
John Matthews is a Research Professor working with the University of Utah’s Cosmic Ray Physics group which he joined in 1995. His current research is the study of the origin and nature of ultra high energy cosmic rays with the Telescope Array. The central Utah observatory measures particle showers induced by cosmic rays arriving at the Earth over an area of 1800 square kilometers. Matthews also serves as Co-Spokesperson of the Telescope Array Collaboration. Before the Telescope Array, some of his previous experiments included The High Resolution Fly’s Eye (HiRes) which also studied ultra high energy cosmic rays and FLASH measuring the fluorescence light yield from cosmic ray air showers. Matthews also works with Prof. Nyawelo’s INSPIRE project, helping to bring science, computing, and technology to young under-represented students through cosmic ray detectors and experiments.
John earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago in physics, math, and economics. As an undergraduate he worked on a search for cosmic ray magnetic monopoles. He then moved to the University of Wisconsin where he earned his M.S. while he worked on low mass detectors to measure particles near the collision region at Fermilab and electronics for plasma physics experiments. John earned his Ph.D. from Rutgers University for his studies into CP Violation at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.