Bennett Link

Professor Bennett Link is a faculty member in the Department of Physics at Montana State University's College of Letters & Science, holding the rank of Professor. His research focuses on astrophysical compact objects and nuclear physics, with active teaching responsibilities including Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics courses for 2024-2025. Contact information includes office Barnard Hall 245 and email link@physics.montana.edu.

His educational background features:

• Ph.D. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1991)
• M.S. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1987)
• B.S. from University of Missouri-Rolla (1984)

Research centers on neutron star astrophysics, particularly superfluid dynamics in compact objects, vortex pinning mechanisms, magnetar flares, and spin glitch phenomena. His work bridges theoretical astrophysics and nuclear physics to model extreme stellar environments, with emphasis on hydrodynamic stability and magnetic field interactions in neutron star interiors.

Publication trends (2012-2023) reveal consistent focus on neutron star rotational dynamics, superfluid turbulence, and magnetar oscillations. Recent works analyze spin-down mechanisms, vortex pinning, and quasi-periodic oscillations using advanced hydrodynamic modeling, connecting theoretical frameworks to observational astrophysics data.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Outstanding Graduate Instructor (2017)
• Nominated for Wiley Award for Outstanding Research (2016)
• Outstanding Undergraduate Level Instructor Award (2015)
• Nominated for Wiley Award for Outstanding Research (2015)
• Nominated for Kevin Westfold Scholarship (2014)

Professor Link actively mentors graduate students in physics research and serves the academic community through extensive peer review activities for Astrophysical Journal, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, and NSF grant panels. His outreach includes public lectures at Astronomy on Tap and Museum of the Rockies events.