FAQ
Research and PhD
Q: What is Applied Physics anyway?
A: I would say Applied Physics is using physics to solve a problem that isn't obviously a physics problem. This can look like a lot of things, and be used in a plethora of disciplines (just about any science or engineering could have parts that are applied physics). The Applied Physics(AP) PhD, is a degree granting program seperate from the Physics PhD. As such it has different course requirments and progression milestones, but they do overlap a lot.
Q: What's the difference between an applied physics PhD and a physics PhD?
A: It will vary between schools. At Michigan AP students have less strict course requirments , and can specialize courses sooner and easily take graduate classes in the engineering school. In terms of research there isn't a clear answer. If you picked out some research project and asked is a physics student, an engineering student or an AP student working on it, I wouldn't be able to tell you. AP students have the flexibility to work with more faculty and for whatever reason we have more funding our first year.
Q: What research do you do?
A: Wakefield acceleration, and laser plasma interaction studies. For more info see "My Research" tab.
Q: Is a laser an accelerator?
A: No, not technically. Laser is an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation"- so it's something that directs a lot of light in one direction. But the bundles of light emitted by lasers behave in really cool ways, especially for example, when they hit plasma.
Q: It's a lot of school, why are you doing a PhD?
A: The main reason is because I find it incredibly exciting. In undergrad I was doing essentially what I was doing now (with less time spent on research), and I loved it, while paying thousands to my school. Now they pay me! Are you kidding? I genuinely enjoy what I'm doing and they give me enough money to get by. I won't make a fortune here, but boy I'm having a good time. Of course I have to recognize my experience is not everyone's. But I am greatful that I really like what I do.
Q: Did you study anywhere else in undergrad besides at MSU?
A: Yes! I for the Fall (Michaelmas ) term of my junior year (2021) I studied at Lancaster University. I took courses in (Graduate) particle physics, Advanced (graduate) general relativity, Fluid dynamics, and a Semiconductor phyiscs lab.
Q:What do you want to do with your degree?
Plan A: Research- I want to one day be a professor! I recognize that the path to professorship is arduous, and have several "back-up" career paths if my interests change. Plan B: Accelerator scientist at national lab. Plan C: Acceleratoresque scientist for company (fusion, medical accelerators, or laser company). Plan D: Scientist (non accelerator) for a company (Quantum researcher, energy production, microchip/silicon tech ). Plan E: Data Scientist, lots of large tech companies hire PhDs to do data analytics. Plan F: Consultant, Who knows what they do, but I understand the insight of a PhD could be useful to consulting companies. Plan G: Computer Scientist, similar to E, but doing more coding than analytics. Plan H: Science Advisor, I could help some level of government make informed decisions regarding science policy. Plan I: Highschool Physics teacher, I think a PhD is a bit overkill for this job, and I'd rather actually be doing science, but still, I could enjoy this. Plan J: Start my own company doing something science related, I don't really have any plans for this but I see it as possible. Plan K: National Park Ranger, I love nature. Plan L: Climbing instructor, I love climbing.
Q:Why no banking or defense job in the plan?
A: For me, I need to do something exciting to stimulate my curiosity, so I don't think banking will fit the bill. And I don't want to do work that is meant to hurt people, maybe maybe there is a role I could do that fits that, but I have plenty of backup plans before doing something like that.
Q: Can you break light?
A: You can break detectors. Light is made up of photons, little bits of energy vibrating at a certain frequency, you can transfer the energy of the photons into particles. So in that sense yes, you kind of can break light.
Q: What motivates you?
A: I can think of two things. The first is curiosity, there's so many interesting things, I want to learn why things are the way they are. The second is improving my surroundings, in particular I want to positively impact those that have positively impacted me.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for the stepping stone puzzle?
A: Really the main force behind the stepping stone puzzle was Tom Ladouceur. We began playing with the principles of the game while bored in our high school statistics class. In college, our mathematical reasoning grew and I came up with the name "Stepping Stone Puzzle" and advocated for the creation of a sequence as well as refined the rules. We came up with the sequence and some other frameworks for the puzzle and sent them to Neil Sloane who took an interest in the game and shared it with his audience!
Q: What's the coolest thing about your research?
A: That it exists. If you look around, well golly, you're seeing light, of many wavelengths bouncing off of things like tables, chairs, carpets, and walls. The fact that we can see is already incredible. But we see in color! That's wild! Now if we grab a laser, it can shoot off a blast of light, all in about the same wavelength a crazily compact trajectory! Then we aim it at some funky hot gas and boom nonlinear( typically tricky to understand) interactions. And so on! And we (humans) figured this stuff out. It's incredible to think of the advances of science. And it's spectacular to be able to realize the world around us.
Q: I want to tell you something, how can I reach you?
A: Email me at jrebenst@umich.edu
Miscellaneous
Q: Do you like Michigan or Michigan State more?
A: I thoroughly enjoyed my time at MSU, and I'm very thankful to be able to be at Michigan. In sports I'll root for both. If they play eachother I root for the underdog, but at the end of the day I'm not on the team, so it doesn't make a big difference to me.
Q: What's your favorite book?
A: I'll give more than one. For nonfiction I'd probably choose Carl Sagan's Pale blue dot. For fiction I'd choose To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. My favorite book of creative writing is The Best of Robert Service by Robert Service.
Q: Do you have a motto?
A: No, but if I did it would be "There is no bad question or person."
Q: Really? You don't think there are any bad people?
A: Okay fine, throughout history there are a small handful of bad people, but the very very large majority are not bad. I don't think a 'bad' decision does not make a person 'bad', and I think labeling someone as 'bad' is counterproducitve.
Q:Is Michigan cold?
A: Depends on how much you're wearing.
Q: What does the poster by your desk say?
A: "Climb high. Climb far. Your goal the sky. Your aim the star." - the inscription on Hopkins Memorial Steps, Williams College, Williamstown MA.
Q: I could never do that.
A: Not with that attitude!
Q:Do you want to go rock climbing?
A:Yes