Dr. Scott Kravitz

Biography

Scott Kravitz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Texas, specializing in experimental particle physics. His research focuses on detecting dark matter, particularly utilizing large, low-background particle detectors known as xenon time projection chambers to observe rare interactions with dark matter. He is involved in the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) dark matter experiment, an international collaboration aimed at setting world-leading limits in the search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). The LZ detector operates a mile underground in Lead, South Dakota, significantly reducing cosmic background noise while collecting data since late 2021. Kravitz's contributions to the LZ project include developing fast simulation software and applying machine learning techniques to enhance sensitivity to dark matter models. He is also interested in developing novel particle detector methods for future dark matter experiments. His ongoing work includes concepts for upgrading the LZ experiment and participating in the XLZD dark matter collaboration, focusing on building a large xenon detector to achieve enhanced sensitivity for examining rare processes related to neutrino interactions and neutrinoless double beta decay.

Research Interests

Experience