Past Events

Programmable Molecular Tweezer Arrays for Quantum Science

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Abstract: Polar molecules trapped in programmable optical tweezer arrays are an emerging platform for quantum science. In this talk, I will report our group’s work on advancing quantum control of molecular tweezer arrays and our first experiments on using these arrays for quantum information processing and simulation of quantum many-body Hamiltonians.I will first briefly present our work that establishes the essential building blocks for quantum science in this platform.

Rare earth and other critical elements - their physics, resources, and geopolitics

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Abstract: The rare earth elements, hidden at the bottom of the periodic table and long neglected, have risen to prominence at the end of the 20th century. Their unique electronic configuration form the basis for a variety of lasers, photonic applications, strong and exotic magnetism, defining many modern technologies. I will tell a story connecting from the basic science of the geology of Colorado and rare earth and other rare element mineralogy, to our technological and societal dependence and questions of strategic element security. 

CANCELLED

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Abstract: 

New tools of light for increasingly refined observation and control of molecules are providing new opportunities to study complex structure and emergent quantum properties, to set new bounds for fundamental symmetry, to probe real-time reaction kinetics, and to apply molecular sensing for medical diagnosis. Meanwhile, quantum gases of molecules constitutes an outstanding experimental platform for precise quantum state engineering and control of inter-molecular interactions, enabling exploration of novel chemical reactions and quantum magnetism

Voltage-controlled magnetism mediated by the electrical triggering of a metal-insulator transition

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Resistive switching and spintronics emerged among the leading approaches for the development of scalable and energy-efficient memories and information processing devices. In resistive switching systems, an electrical stimulus, voltage or current, programs the material’s resistivity. In spintronics, electrical signals are used to manipulate and probe the material’s magnetic configuration.

Quantum Computing for the Prediction of Molecular Electronic Structure - insights into using quantum computers for electronic structure problems

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The scale of electronic structure calculations feasible on current or near-term quantum hardware is constrained by several inherent limitations, including coherence time, qubit count and connectivity, and device noise. All these limitations taken together severely impact the number of qubits that may be put to work constructively for chemical applications. While we have routine access to quantum computing devices exceeding 100 qubits, only a handful of these can be utilized effectively.

The Physics of Vision and Perception

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Abstract: Ever wondered how we perceive the world around us? How do our eyes detect light and how does our brain interpret what our eyes see? In this discussion, we will investigate how human vision and perception works, as well as how it can be manipulated through visual illusions. We will also explore how human vision differs from the vision of other animals such as dogs, birds, and insects.

Improving the Performance of Superconducting Qubits

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Abstract: Superconducting quantum computers, once scaled up, could solve problems intractable to even the largest classical supercomputers, but better superconducting qubits are needed before this can occur. Superconducting qubit coherence is currently limited both by cryogenic low-power dielectric loss and by large temporal fluctuations due to strongly-coupled defects.