Past Events

Lunch will be provided.

• Abstract: Spin-orbit coupled Bose-Einstein condensates, where the internal state of the atoms is linked to their momentum through optical coupling, are a flexible experimental platform to engineer synthetic quantum many-body systems. In my talk, I will present recent work where we have exploited the interplay of spin-orbit coupling and tunable interactions in potassium BECs to realize two unconventional superfluid phases.

Abstract: I last came to CU in 2015, and talked almost entirely about molecules in galaxies.  Now I'm 8 years older, and 8 years more esoteric: 2023 Desika is going to talk all about dust!  But seriously, dust is awesome.  It impacts almost every astrophysical observation that you make, is a critical ingredient to thermal balance in the ISM, and is used to trace obscured star formation at all redshifts.   I'll present the results from a new model for dust in galaxy simula

Abstract: Ultracold polar molecules are promising candidate qubits for quantum computing and quantum simulations. Their long-lived molecular rotational states form robust qubits, and the long-range dipolar interaction between molecules provides quantum entanglement. We demonstrate dipolar spin-exchange interactions between single CaF molecules trapped in an optical tweezer array.

Abstract: Genetic engineering of plants is at the core of sustainability efforts, natural product synthesis, and agricultural crop engineering. The plant cell wall is a barrier that limits the ease and throughput with which exogenous biomolecules can be delivered to plants. Current delivery methods either suffer from host range limitations, low transformation efficiencies, tissue regenerability, tissue damage, or unavoidable DNA integration into the host genome.

Laser cooled trapped ions offer unprecedented control over both internal and external degrees of freedom at the single-particle level. They are considered among the foremost candidates for realizing quantum simulation and computation platforms that can outperform classical computers in specific tasks.

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Abstract:  In-vivo imaging through multimode fibers has been recently accomplished. Multimode fibers are attractive for endoscopic applications due to their thin cross-section, a large number of degrees of freedom, and flexibility. However modal dispersion and intermodal coupling preclude direct image transmission. The development of fast spatial phase control enables focus scanning and structured illumination for different novel imaging modalities. We discuss the implications of these techniques for ultrathin optical endoscopy. 

Abstract: Heavy-ion collision experiments have provided overwhelming evidence that quarks and gluons, the elementary particles within protons and neutrons, can flow as a nearly frictionless, strongly interacting relativistic liquid over distance scales not much larger than the size of a proton. On the other hand, with the dawn of the multi-messenger astronomy era marked by the detection of a binary neutron star merger, it became imperative to understand how extremely dense fluids behave under very strong gravitational fields.

Abstract: For the past decade we have begun to explore the origin of planetary compositions which are set in the natal protoplanetary disk.  

Abstract: Imagine a world where communication doesn't depend on words, but on flashes of light, scents, and movement. In the extraordinary world of insects, this is a daily reality. This talk will take you on a journey into the secret lives of fireflies and bees, exploring how they convey information through visual and chemical signals. Drawing on concepts from physics, mathematics, and computer science, we will uncover the universal rules that insects obey to make their communication efficient and effective.

Butcher Auditorium, A115, JSCBB 3415 Colorado Ave, Boulder, CO 80303

I’ll discuss two experimental results that utilize the collective emission of strontium atoms within a cavity, aimed at advancing atomic clock technology. In our first investigation, we employ superradiant pulses from the cavity mode as a fast and directed atomic population readout, mapping out a unique Ramsey spectroscopic lineshape and demonstrating the potential for multiple readouts within a single experimental cycle. In our second investigation, we extend these pulses using an incoherent repumping scheme, achieving steady-state lasing for over a millisecond on the kHz tr

Abstract: Planetary atmospheres are not static in time, and the many changes they experience can contribute to making the planet’s surface a more (or less) hospitable place. Interactions between the planet and its host star are especially important, and not only control the temperature of an atmosphere but can drive atmospheric escape and atmospheric chemistry.