Benjamin Chandran

Benjamin Chandran
PROFESSOR
Space Science Center
Phone: (603) 862-2255
Office: Physics, Morse Hall Rm 242, Durham, NH 03824
Website: Full profile: FindScholars@UNH
A headshot of Benjamin Chandran, a professor in the Space Science Center.

Professor Chandran received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1997. His research is in the areas of theoretical plasma physics and theoretical astrophysics, particularly problems at the interface between these two fields. His main interests are plasma turbulence, the role of turbulence in the solar corona and other astrophysical settings, and the evolution of baryonic matter in clusters of galaxies. He has also worked on cosmic-ray propagation, particle acceleration at shocks, and the origin of astrophysical magnetic fields. His research program is supported by grants from NASA, NSF, and DOE, and offers research opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.

Education

  • Ph.D., Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University
  • M.A., Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University
  • B.A., Physics, Yale University
  • B.A., History, Yale University

Courses Taught

  • PHYS 407: General Physics I
  • PHYS 407J: General Physics Review I
  • PHYS 408: General Physics II
  • PHYS 615: Mechanics/Mathematical Phys I
  • PHYS 701: Quantum Mechanics I
  • PHYS 702: Quantum Mechanics II
  • PHYS 710/810: Modern Astrophysics
  • PHYS 944: Quantum Mechanics II
  • PHYS 999: Doctoral Research

Selected Publications

Chandran, B. D. G. (2021). An approximate analytic solution to the coupled problems of coronal heating and solar-wind acceleration. Journal of Plasma Physics, 87(3). doi:10.1017/s0022377821000052

Martinović, M. M., Klein, K. G., Huang, J., Chandran, B. D. G., Kasper, J. C., Lichko, E., . . . Bale, S. D. (2021). Multiscale Solar Wind Turbulence Properties inside and near Switchbacks Measured by the Parker Solar Probe. The Astrophysical Journal, 912(1), 28. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/abebe5

Perez, J. C., Chandran, B. D. G., Klein, K. G., & Martinović, M. M. (2021). How Alfvén waves energize the solar wind: heat versus work. Journal of Plasma Physics, 87(2). doi:10.1017/s0022377821000167

Bowen, T. A., Mallet, A., Bale, S. D., Bonnell, J. W., Case, A. W., Chandran, B. D. G., . . . Whittlesey, P. (2020). Constraining Ion-Scale Heating and Spectral Energy Transfer in Observations of Plasma Turbulence.. Phys Rev Lett, 125(2), 025102. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.025102

Squire, J., Chandran, B. D. G., & Meyrand, R. (2020). In-situ Switchback Formation in the Expanding Solar Wind. ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS, 891(1). doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ab74e1

Bale, S. D., Goetz, K., Harvey, P. R., Turin, P., Bonnell, J. W., Dudok de Wit, T., . . . Wygant, J. R. (2016). The FIELDS Instrument Suite for Solar Probe Plus. SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS, 204(1-4), 49-82. doi:10.1007/s11214-016-0244-5

Kasper, J. C., Abiad, R., Austin, G., Balat-Pichelin, M., Bale, S. D., Belcher, J. W., . . . Zank, G. (2016). Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons (SWEAP) Investigation: Design of the Solar Wind and Coronal Plasma Instrument Suite for Solar Probe Plus. SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS, 204(1-4), 131-186. doi:10.1007/s11214-015-0206-3

Chandran, B. D. G., Dennis, T. J., Quataert, E., & Bale, S. D. (2011). INCORPORATING KINETIC PHYSICS INTO A TWO-FLUID SOLAR-WIND MODEL WITH TEMPERATURE ANISOTROPY AND LOW-FREQUENCY ALFVÉN-WAVE TURBULENCE. The Astrophysical Journal, 743(2), 197. doi:10.1088/0004-637x/743/2/197

Chandran, B. D. G., Li, B., Rogers, B. N., Quataert, E., & Germaschewski, K. (2010). PERPENDICULAR ION HEATING BY LOW-FREQUENCY ALFVEN-WAVE TURBULENCE IN THE SOLAR WIND. ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, 720(1), 503-515. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/720/1/503

Chandran, B. D. G., & Cowley, S. C. (1998). Thermal Conduction in a Tangled Magnetic Field. Physical Review Letters, 80(14), 3077-3080. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.80.3077

View All

Most Cited Publications