Past Events
National Croissant Day
We will be celebrating National Croissant Day on Monday, 1/30. Beginning at 10 am, there will be croissants in the h-bar for all JILAns to enjoy. Come chow down on some fluffy, flaky pastries with us to celebrate this obscure holiday!
Investigating quantum speed limits with superconducting qubits
Abstract - The speed at which quantum entanglement between qubits with short range interactions can be generated is limited by the Lieb-Robinson bound. Introducing longer range interactions relaxes this bound and entanglement can be generated at a faster rate. The speed limit for this has been explicitly found theoretically only for a two-qubit system and under the assumption of negligible single qubit gate time. We seek to demonstrate such a speed limit for entanglement experimentally using two superconducting transmon qubits.
A Theory of Spin Squeezing
Abstract: Quantum metrology makes use of structured entanglement to perform measurements with greater precision than would be possible with only classically correlated particles. A paradigmatic example of such entanglement is spin squeezing, which is known to be dynamically generated by the celebrated one-axis-twisting model, corresponding to an all-to-all coupled Ising Hamiltonian.
Quantum Simulation for High-Energy Physics
Abstract: Simulating strongly interacting quantum systems is a difficult task: as a prominent example, solving the fundamental equations of the quantum chromodynamics theory of quarks and gluons requires non-perturbative approaches based on computationally-expensive Monte Carlo simulations. The need for alternative solutions that do not rely on Monte Carlo methods has recently motivated an increasing interest in the possible applications of quantum simulation and computation.
The Absurd and Useful Physics of Atomtronics
Abstract: Atomtronics, an ultracold atom analog of electronics, provides a practical pathway for utilizing the quantum character of ultracold atoms in a variety of compelling applications involving sensing and signal processing.
Improving prenatal care through cell-free RNA liquid biopsies
Abstract: Pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and preterm birth pose huge risks to fetal and maternal long-term health and a large financial burden. Here, I will describe the development 3 liquid biopsy tests that measure cell-free RNA (cfRNA) to monitor prenatal health and predict risk of pregnancy complications long before symptoms manifest. This work paves the way for affordable, simple, and reliable tests for preeclampsia and preterm delivery – risks that no other test can presently diagnose early enough to allow for meaningful clinical intervention.
From Quantum Information to the Black Hole Interior
Abstract: Black holes have not just become laboratories for astronomers, but also present some of the deepest unsolved problems in theoretical physics. During the past decade surprising connections have been made between ideas from quantum information and gravitational physics. In this talk I will explain several aspects of these connections. In particular, we will see that by treating a black hole as a quantum computer, we can understand various properties of the black hole interior.
Massive Star Clusters: the First 2 Million Years

Abstract:
Young massive clusters of & 105.5Mo show the extreme mode of star formation. They are common in the Early Universe and in starburst galaxies today. They are tremendously bright and powerful and can dominate the luminosity and energetics of the host galaxy. These clusters are born embedded in the obscuring gas and dust of giant molecular clouds.
The Tumultuous Life of Cumulus Clouds
Schedule and information: https://www.colorado.edu/cuwizards/
Towards a trapped electron quantum computer
Abstract: We explore the feasibility of processing quantum information encoded in the spin of electrons trapped ion a Paul trap. The main idea is to replace the ions in a QCCD (quantum charge-coupled device) ion trap quantum computer with electrons.
Prethermalization and the local robustness of gapped systems
Abstract: For a many-body local Hamiltonian H_0 perturbed by local V [H=H_0+V], one hopes in many scenarios that certain local properties of H_0 persist despite the fact that the extensive V strongly mixes the global eigenstates.
Ultraviolet Occultations: An Essential Technique for Bridging the Thermospheric Gap
Seminar Abstract:
So you found a theory of everything. Now what?
The fun and games of finding a theory of everything, and persuading referees and colleagues it might actually be something.
JILA colloquia are recorded and will be available on the JILA YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLupSU3PE5is1Te1Ua94NMh3NLA55DCNCO
CANCELLED: The Fascinating History of Numbers in Ancient Mesopotamia
Abstract: For tens of thousands of years, humans got along perfectly well without numbers as we understand them.
Leveraging Dynamic Properties to Understand Protein (Dys)function in Disease
Abstract: The dynamical properties of proteins are critical for their function and are often perturbed in disease. Despite this knowledge, developing chemical probes that explicitly target protein dynamics is challenging, and therapeutic molecules that alter protein dynamics are often discovered serendipitously. However, all living organisms contain a dedicated class of proteins, termed molecular chaperones, that specifically regulate protein folding and dynamics to prevent pathological outcomes.