Past Events

Abstract: Can a classical system of interacting particles evolving under local rules have multiple steady states that are stable to

Abstract: The planetary boundary layer (PBL), the lowest part of the atmosphere, plays a key role in regulating interactions between the land surface, clouds, and atmospheric turbulence. These interactions drive the exchange of energy, moisture, and aerosols, shaping both weather and climate. However, turbulence within the PBL adds complexity to these processes, making them challenging to understand and predict.

Abstract: Inflationary cosmology has been widely accepted for decades. Yet there are persistent debates about inflation which raise central questions in philosophy of science. Skeptics have often expressed doubt regarding whether inflation is "testable" or "falsifiable," due to the flexibility of inflationary models. This is an instance of a general question in philosophy of science: to what extent does phenomenological success support the claim that a theory gets the physics right?

Abstract: How much will Earth warm in response to increasing carbon dioxide emissions?  Climate projections are highly uncertain yet have important societal implications.  Climate models are the most effective tools for making climate projections, however, their ability to reliably project climate has been hindered primarily by challenges in representing clouds in Earth’s atmosphere.  Cold clouds composed of supercooled liquid droplets and ice crystals are particularly challenging to represent in climate models due to the large number of complex micro-s

Abstract:

Abstract: Critical phenomena in the presence of interfaces provide a
much richer arena than their more studied cousin of boundary critical
phenomena. In this talk, I'll review certain observables that are new
and unique in interface conformal field theory and then demonstrate some
novel bounds we can derive on these quantities using techniques from
holography and quantum information.

Abstract:  Most of the observable matter in the universe is plasma, and therefore understanding its behavior is important for a variety of space, astrophysical and laboratory applications. An active topic of research in recent years has been magnetic reconnection, a process by which magnetic fields diffuse in plasma, leading to a change in magnetic field topology, an explosive release of stored magnetic energy, and the formation of jets.

Experiments with fermionic atoms in optical lattices have led to breakthroughs in understanding fundamental condensed-matter phenomena. However, elevating such experiments from a tool of scientific exploration to a computational tool capable of quantitatively predicting molecule and material properties requires overcoming decoherence with fault-tolerance techniques. Existing approaches encode qubits into atoms, losing one of the fundamental advantages of cold-atoms: their fermionic nature.

Optics and coatings are often considered as commodity in the laser systems
across different applications. And yet, these are the main factors limiting
the efficiency, power, and lifetime of lasers and optical layouts. Moreover,
coating engineers, just like masters of dark magic, have their own language.
I will cover a variety of topics and questions, which will help to grow
awareness about the critical characteristics of optics. Answers to those
questions will also help to learn some of the language coating engineers

Abstract: Tremendous progress is being made at silicon photonic foundries around the world to improve the performance, yield and capability of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and that is opening up new markets, including quantum computing. These results will be described with an emphasis on integrating lasers to PICs and the improvements in laser and system performance that are possible.
 

Abstract: NASA's latest great flagship observatory, JWST, was built in part to reveal the earliest moments of cosmic history. In the ~2 years since it began releasing data to the public, JWST has enthralled scientists and the public alike with the incredible images and spectroscopic information from astronomical objects as nearby as our solar system and beyond to the most distant reaches of the Universe.

CU Boulder Geology Professor Brian Hynek has traveled the globe in search of rocks from outer space. These rocks tell fascinating stories...the geologic, hydrologic, and climatic histories of our neighboring planets. Meet at CU Planetarium for a memorable Saturday morning CU Wizards show presented by a real rock star who is seeking to answer one of the greatest questions: Are we alone?!

Abstract

Abstract: Exotic states of matter are among many physical systems that are candidates for realizing quantum computing.