Physics Department Colloquium
Effects of the Sun’s trajectory through the galaxy on Earth’s climate over the past 10 million years
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Abstract: With the advent of the Gaia space mission, there has been a revolution in astronomers’ ability to precisely locate the interstellar structures the Sun may have encountered on its voyage around the galaxy. We now have the spatial resolution to trace the Sun’s trajectory back through its interstellar environment up to 60 million years in the past (4000 light-years in distance). This timescale is commensurate with the timescale over which we can reconstruct the paleoclimate of Earth from deep ocean foraminiferas.
Quantum computational sensing
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Abstract: Modern metrology involves a tight integration of sensors with computation. Suppose that a quantum computer were inserted into this pipeline as the first step in receiving and transforming sensor signals, before classical processing. What could be accomplished? I illustrate the possibilities with three scenarios for which quantum computation may enhance sensing: demodulation of phase shift keyed signals, trajectory discrimination, and RF signal detection.
Historical trends in atmospheric humidity over arid and semi-arid regions
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Abstract: An expected consequence of a warming atmosphere is that atmospheric humidity would rise as a result of the dependency of the atmospheric water vapor holding capacity on temperature (the Clausius-Clapeyron relationship). But this is only true if there is sufficient availability of water to satisfy the rising atmospheric demand.
Listening to the Universe above the quantum din
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Abstract: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detected gravitational waves for the first time in 2015. Since then, hundreds more astrophysical observations have been confirmed. To detect these spacetime ripples requires measurement with sub-attometer precision. I will describe the quantum technologies that make such a measurement possible, enabling present and future discoveries.
Host: Ana Maria Rey
Machine Protection for the Large Hadron Collider and Beyond
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The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN is the most powerful particle accelerator ever constructed. It enables the study of the fundamental structure of matter by providing proton-proton collisions at the unprecedented energy of 6.8 TeV per beam. It delivers an instantaneous luminosity exceeding 2×1034 cm−2s−1 at its two general-purpose detectors, ATLAS and CMS. During high-intensity operation, the LHC now routinely stores energies of 430 MJ per beam—well beyond its original design specifications.
Quantum Simulation and Sensing with Atoms Interacting via Photons
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Host: Ana Maria Rey
Quantum Signal Processing: Making Schrödinger Cats and Other Exotic States of Microwave PhotonsGauge Theories
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Abstract: The Schrödinger Cat idea was an early thought experiment intended to point out the weirdness of quantum mechanics. It is a paradigmatic example of the quantum principles of superposition and entanglement. With the vast experimental progress in the last two decades, we can now routinely carry out this experiment in the laboratory.
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.