Details
Speaker Name/Affiliation
Prof. Taylor Hughes /University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
When
-
Seminar Type
Location (Room)
Duane Physics Room G126
Event Details & Abstracts
Abstract: Over forty years ago, Nielsen and Ninomiya proved that chiral modes cannot exist in discrete systems without a matching anti-chiral partner. While this theorem was proved in the context of simulating the weak interactions of the standard model on a lattice, it is far more general and has implications across a broad spectrum of physics sub-fields. In this talk I will discuss three ways to violate the theorem by avoiding the assumptions. I will illustrate that each type of violation is responsible for a new class of topological phenomena. If time permits I will also discuss a new type of chirality that can appear in only non-relativistic systems in two spatial dimensions and its realization in topo-electric circuits.
The Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program supports university-based centers and institutes where the collective efforts of a larger group of individuals can enable transformational advances in the most promising research areas. The program is designed to foster major breakthroughs at the intellectual frontiers of physics by providing needed resources such as combinations of talents, skills, disciplines, and/or specialized infrastructure, not usually available to individual investigators or small groups, in an environment in which the collective efforts of the larger group can be shown to be seminal to promoting significant progress in the science and the education of students. PFCs also include creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented groups, and outreach to the scientific community and general public.