• Diplom 1989, Universität Heidelberg
• Ph.D. 1994, Universität Heidelberg

Research Interests:

As a member of the HiRes group and the Utah High Energy Astrophysics Institute together with colleagues Wayne Springer, Charlie Jui, and Pierre Sokolsky, Dr. Martens works in the exciting field of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays. Using the HiRes detector for data taking, the existing data set already is the largest in the world. Over the next few years they will continue to expand this data set and its statistical power. What makes this field of research so interesting is the fact that no physicist has been able to yet fathom where in the cosmos particles with such observed energies could come from. Known physics leads to curious contradictions when employed to explain these observations. However, the statistical power of existing data sets is not enough to indicate where to specifically look for a solution to this problem. Working on the most significant data set available for the next few years they are in the pool position when it comes to addressing the fundamental physics questions raised by past observations.

Given the importance of this work in the context of fundamental physics, detector maintenance and quality control for data has to be of primary concern by employing the newest and most effective data analysis techniques in the quest to extract reliable information from that data. Students in this group can expect a well rounded experience including hardware and computer skills. The physics being worked is as fundamental as it is exciting.

Selected Recent Publications

• "A Helium Molecular Gas Mixtures for High Resolution Drift Chambers" (with B. Schmist), NIM A317, 148 (1992).
• "Aging Effects Observed in the CERN Omega RICH" (K. Martens et al.), NIM A343, 258 (1994).
• "Measurement of the W_x⁰ Lifetime" (WA 89 collaboration) Phys. Lett B 358, 151 (1995).
• "Calibration of Super-Kamiokande Using an Electron LINAC" (Super-Kamiokande collaboration) NIM A421, 113 (1999).
• "Measurement of the Solar Neutrino Energy Spectrum Using Neutrino Electron Scattering" (Super-Kamiokande collaboration) Phys. Rev. Lett 82 2430 (1999).