Tim Gay.

Willa Cather Professor of Physics
Physics and Astronomy

073 Jorgensen Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588
(402) 472-2773

tgay1@unl.edu
Education
  • University of Chicago — Ph.D., 1980 (Physics)
  • University of Chicago — S.M., 1976 (Physics)
  • California Institute of Technology – B.S., 1975 (Physics)

Research Interests
  • Polarized electron scattering from atoms and molecules and the understanding of chiral and dichroic effects in such targets
  • Development of novel sources of polarized electrons and electron polarimeters
  • Investigations of the fundamental nature of the electron

Patents
  • H. Batelaan, B.A. Hitt, B.G. Birdsey, and T.J. Gay. U.S. Patent 6590923, “A Rubidium Spin Filter” (1998)
  • T.J.Gay, H. Batelaan, E.R.Jones, and E. Brunkow (pending) “A Femtosecond Source of Spin-Polarized Electrons” (2018)

Honors and Awards
  • Willa Cather Professorship, University of Nebraska (2017 - )
  • Outstanding Referee Award, American Physical Society (2009)
  • Fellow, American Physical Society (elected 1994)
  • Outstanding Postdoctoral Mentor Award, University of Nebraska - Lincoln (2018)
  • Graduate Laboratory Fellowship, Argonne National Laboratory (1978 – 1980)
  • Outstanding Teacher Award, University of Missouri–Rolla, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991
  • Faculty Excellence Award, University of Missouri-Rolla, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
  • Certificate of Recognition for Contributions to Students, University of Nebraska Parents Association, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012
  • American Physical Society Centennial Speaker
  • Louis Begeman Memorial Lecturer, University of Northern Iowa
  • Gaseous Electronics Conference Foundations Plenary Lecture
  • Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
  • Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer (2019 – 2021)

Select Publications
  • N.B.Clayburn and T.J.Gay, "Alignment of the (3d104s5s)53S1State of Zn Excited by Polarized Electron Impact," Phys.Rev.Lett. 119, 093401 (2017). [PDF]
  • C.M. Pfeiffer, T.J.Gay, J.A.Hawks, S.M.Farritor, and J.M.Burnfield, "Investigation of Toppling Ball Flight in American Football with a Mechanical Field-Goal Kicker," Sports Eng. 2017; DOI 10.1007/s12283-017-0254-x [PDF]
  • N. B. Clayburn, K.W. Trantham, M.Dunn, and T.J.Gay, "Method for Monitoring GaAs Photocathode Heat-Cleaning Temperature," Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 124903 (2016). [PDF]
  • N.B. Clayburn, E.Brunkow, G. H. Rutherford, S.J.Burtwistle, and T.J.Gay, "A Cylindrically Symmetric 'Micro-Mott' Electron Polarimeter," Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 053307 (2016).[PDF]
  • J.M.Dreiling, F.W.Lewis, J.D.Mills, and T.J.Gay, "Anomalously Large Chiral Sensitivity in the Dissociative Electron Attachment of 10-Iodocamphor," Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 093201 (2016).[PDF]
  • J.M.Dreiling, S.J.Burtwistle, and T.J.Gay, "A New Technique for the Reduction of Helicity-Correlated Instrumental Asymmetries in Photoemitted Beams of Spin-Polarized Electrons," Appl. Opt. 54, 763 (2015).[PDF]
  • J.M.Dreiling and T. J. Gay, "Chirally-Sensitive Molecular Breakup in Bromocamphor and the Vester-Ulbricht Hypothesis," Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 118103 (2014).[PDF]
  • J.W.Maseberg, K. Bartschat, and T. J. Gay, "Threshold Alignment Reversal and Circularly-Polarized Fluorescence in Rotationally-Resolved H2," Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 253201 (2013).[PDF]
  • M. Pirbhai, J. Knepper, E.T.Litaker, D. Tupa, and T. J. Gay, "Optically-Pumped Spin-Exchange Polarized Electron Source," Phys. Rev. A. 88, 060701 (Rapid Communication) (2013).[PDF]
  • M. Pirbhai, D. M. Ryan, G. Richards, and T. J. Gay, "A Compact Inline Optical Electron Polarimeter," Rev.Sci.Instrum. 84, 053113 (2013). [PDF]
  • J.M. Dreiling, E.B. Norrgard, D. Tupa, and T.J. Gay, "Transverse Measurements of Polarization in Optically-Pumped Rb Vapor Cells," Phys. Rev. A 86, 053416 (2012).[PDF]
  • N. B. Clayburn, J. L. McCarter, J. M. Dreiling, M. Poelker, D. M. Ryan, T. J. Gay, "A Search For Spin-Polarized Photoemission from GaAs Using Light With Orbital Angular Momentum," Phys. Rev. B 87, 035204 (2013).[PDF]
  • J.E.Furst, T.J.Gay, J.R.Machacek, A.L.D.Kilcoyne, K.W.McLaughlin, "Orientation of Doubly-Excited States in N2," Phys. Rev. A 86, 041401(Rapid Communication) (2012).[PDF]