The beginning of black holes is a new research topic for some ISU faculty.

A research team from the physics and astronomy department is conducting a search for the mysterious phenomena, which may have formed in the early universe.

The team, led by Frank Krennrich, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, is preparing an experiment called SGARFACE, which stands for Short Gamma Ray Front Air Cherenkov Experiment. It will consist of a digital trigger electronic, which will be attached to the Whipple Observatory 10 meter gamma ray telescope near Tucson, Ariz.

“The detection technique,” Krennrich said, “is based on sensing the arrival of short bursts of gamma rays by faint and short light flashes that are produced by gamma rays when they hit the Earth’s atmosphere.”

Krennrich’s search is based upon a prediction from theoretical astrophysics that black holes should evaporate, he said. The evaporation should continue by an emission of particles of increasing energy, which would give rise to a final tremendous explosion resulting in a short burst of gamma rays.

“This scenario was predicted by Stephen Hawking in 1974 to occur to primordial black holes that might have formed in the early universe, shortly after the `Big Bang,'” Krennrich said. “These black holes are not to be confused with the massive black holes that are produced during some supernova explosions. Primordial black holes observable today are of the size of one hydrogen nucleus and have a mass that is comparable to the water mass of Saylorville Lake [in Des Moines].”

Dirk Petry, post doctoral research associate in physics and astronomy, said Krennrich is not just searching for primordial black holes at this time, but also “looking for bursts of gamma radiation of any kind.”

Construction of SGARFACE is underway with the help of Gary Sleege, engineer for physics and astronomy, Krennrich and Stephane Le Bohec, post doctoral resident associate in physics and astronomy.

Data gathering will tentatively start this summer, but it will take at least two years before results are expected.