Physics Department Colloquium

Abstract: With the advent of the Gaia space mission, there has been a revolution in astronomers’ ability to precisely locate the interstellar structures the Sun may have encountered on its voyage around the galaxy. We now have the spatial resolution to trace the Sun’s trajectory back through its interstellar environment up to 60 million years in the past (4000 light-years in distance). This timescale is commensurate with the timescale over which we can reconstruct the paleoclimate of Earth from deep ocean foraminiferas.

Abstract: Modern metrology involves a tight integration of sensors with computation. Suppose that a quantum computer were inserted into this pipeline as the first step in receiving and transforming sensor signals, before classical processing. What could be accomplished?  I illustrate the possibilities with three scenarios for which quantum computation may enhance sensing: demodulation of phase shift keyed signals, trajectory discrimination, and RF signal detection.

Abstract: An expected consequence of a warming atmosphere is that atmospheric humidity would rise as a result of the dependency of the atmospheric water vapor holding capacity on temperature (the Clausius-Clapeyron relationship).  But this is only true if there is sufficient availability of water to satisfy the rising atmospheric demand.

Abstract: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detected gravitational waves for the first time in 2015. Since then, hundreds more astrophysical observations have been confirmed. To detect these spacetime ripples requires measurement with sub-attometer precision. I will describe the quantum technologies that make such a measurement possible, enabling present and future discoveries.

Host: Ana Maria Rey

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN is the most powerful particle accelerator ever constructed. It enables the study of the fundamental structure of matter by providing proton-proton collisions at the unprecedented energy of 6.8 TeV per beam. It delivers an instantaneous luminosity exceeding 2×1034 cm−2s−1 at its two general-purpose detectors, ATLAS and CMS. During high-intensity operation, the LHC now routinely stores energies of 430 MJ per beam—well beyond its original design specifications.

Host: Mihaly Horanyi

Abstract: TBA

Host: Ana Maria Rey

Abstract: The Schrödinger Cat idea was an early thought experiment intended to point out the weirdness of quantum mechanics. It is a paradigmatic example of the quantum principles of superposition and entanglement. With the vast experimental progress in the last two decades, we can now routinely carry out this experiment in the laboratory.

Abstract: Electrochemistry involves chemical reactions that are driven by the movement of electrons and ions, typically occurring at surfaces or interfaces. A key example is rechargeable batteries, where ions migrate through the liquid electrolyte and electrons flow through the external circuit. The electrochemical reactions take place at the electrode–electrolyte interface where electrode materials receive both ions (Li+, Na+, etc) and electrons during discharging, and release them during charging, enabling the reversible storage of electricity.

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