Upcoming Events

Kapitza pendulums for many-body physics and precision measurement

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The Kapitza pendulum, an inverted pendulum that is inherently unstable yet dynamically stabilized by high-frequency modulation of its pivot, is perhaps the most iconic example of dynamical stabilization of a single-particle system. Dynamical stabilization in the quantum many-body regime, however, remains largely unexplored, especially from an experimental perspective. In the first part of this talk, I will discuss experiments on ultracold atoms confined using time-periodic attractive and repulsive Gaussian potentials, the time average of which is zero [1] or positive.

Improving Two-Qubit Gate Fidelity in Arrays of 171Yb

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Neutral-atom arrays have emerged as a leading platform for scalable quantum computing, combining excellent coherence, optical control of large qubit ensembles, and flexible all-to-all connectivity. Achieving fault tolerance, however, requires efficient error detection and correction. Ytterbium offers unique advantages through its metastable-state qubits: leakage to the ground state can be independently detected, converting physical errors into erasures with known locations, while single-photon excitation to Rydberg states enables scalable, high-fidelity two qubit gates.

Developing ultralow-loss diamond nanomechanics for force and gravitational sensing

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Many anticipated discoveries in fundamental science demand better measurement sensitivity. For acoustic sensors, mechanical dissipation sets this limit via the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. Yet, even in high-purity crystals, its microscopic origin remains poorly understood, and external enhancement, such as tension-induced dissipation dilution, is difficult to realize. Here, we realize a strain-engineered diamond nanomechanical platform using van der Waals self-assembly that harnesses surface forces to apply tensile stress exceeding 1 GPa.

Optimal control of mechanical systems in the quantum regime

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Continuous-variable quantum systems enable encoding complex states in fewer modes through large-scale non-Gaussian states. Motion, as a continuous degree of freedom, underlies phenomena from Cooper pair dynamics to levitated macroscopic objects. Hence, realizing high-energy, spatially extended motional states remains key for advancing quantum sensing, simulation, and foundational tests.
In the talk, I will present the following control tasks for various nonlinear mechanical systems, including trapped atoms, levitated particles, and clamped oscillators with spin-motion coupling.

Bridging Observations and Hindcasts: Coordinated Approaches to Understanding and Predicting the Radiation Belts

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The dynamics of Earth’s radiation belts remain one of the central challenges in space weather research. Despite decades of satellite observations, predicting when and how the belts will intensify or decay remains difficult. This seminar will discuss recent work combining multi-mission datasets from 36 multi-agency satellites to produce the highest-resolution phase space density (PSD) observations of the outer belt to date, and how these have been used to identify dominant acceleration and loss mechanisms.

CUbit Seminar Series

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Since 2019, the CUbit Quantum Seminar Series at the University of Colorado Boulder has been a cornerstone of Colorado’s rapidly expanding quantum innovation ecosystem. Each seminar brings leading quantum scientists, entrepreneurs, and technologists from around the world to campus, creating a rare forum where students, researchers, and industry partners engage directly with the people and ideas shaping the future of quantum technology.

Biochemistry Speaker Series

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The Department of Biochemistry invites professors and scientists from other universities and institutes to present seminars at the University of Colorado Boulder throughout the academic year. These seminars provide an opportunity for faculty and students to learn about exciting current research.

Building Tools to Assess Changes in Physics Education: Inclusively Supporting Student Learning and Retention

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As educators, we would like to prepare our students for 21st century physics careers. Overall, to ensure all students will become successful scientists, physics departments need to be able to provide evidence to make sure that we are reaching these goals. The field of Physics Education Research has made major contributions to various educational practices and materials to reform instruction in order to recruit and retain more students.

CUbit Seminar Series

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The Will Lab studies quantum systems of ultracold atoms and molecules. The lab cools atoms and molecules to temperatures less than a millionth of a degree above absolute zero, where atomic behavior is fully governed by quantum mechanics. Under these conditions, the lab controls individual quantum particles and their interactions with high precision using atomic physics tools, enabling novel platforms for many-body quantum physics, quantum simulation, quantum computing, and quantum optics.