Events at Physics |
Events on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
- Atomic Physics Seminar
- Long Range, Cold Rydberg Atom Molecules and Interactions
- Time: 11:00 am
- Place: 5280 Chamberlin
- Speaker: James Shaffer, University of Oklahoma
- Abstract: Ultraold Rydberg gases are a promising system for exploring many ideas in the area of quantum computation, quantum optics, novel states of matter, and many-body physics. A key to understanding ultracold Rydberg gases and making progress in these exciting directions is to understand how Rydberg atoms interact with other atoms. We will review our understanding of Rydberg interactions including the effect of external fields. We will focus on describing interactions that lead to 2 types of novel molecule formation, so called 'trilobite' molecules and macrodimers. We have recently observed 'trilobite' molecules in an ultracold Cs gas and found that these molecules possess dipole moments in excess of 30D. In prior work, we detected electric field tunable Cs macrodimer molecules, molecules with bond lengths of ~5 microns. In this talk, we will compare and contrast these exotic forms of matter as well as try to place their study in the context of understanding Rydberg atom interactions quantitatively.
- Host: Saffman
- Chaos & Complex Systems Seminar
- Food waste, hunger and the environment: the solution is a pile of garbage
- Time: 12:05 pm
- Place: 4274 Chamberlin (refreshments will be served)
- Speaker: Jed Colquhoun, UW Department of Horticulture
- Abstract: Agricultural production and processing represent diverse, independently managed and complex systems overlaid with equally if not more complex biological and climactic variables. As such, waste happens, but not necessarily where one might expect. According to Jonathan Bloom in American Wasteland, per capita food waste has increased by 50% since 1974, with the majority of this waste in the trash bin at home. Food currently accounts for 19% of landfill waste. Additionally, food production represents almost one fifth of total U.S. energy use and the vast majority of consumptive water use. Meanwhile, over 20% of children are in food insecure households aEuro" meaning that they are unsure of where their next meal will come from. Hunger in the U.S. is at the highest level since recording of such data began and continues to rise. In this seminar, we will discuss the complexities of the food system that lead to waste and potential solutions that address hunger while protecting the environment.
- Host: Sprott
- High Energy Seminar
- W Mass From CDF
- Time: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Place: 4274 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Ashutosh Kotwal, Duke University
- Host: Matthew Herndon
- Theory Seminar (High Energy/Cosmology)
- Recent MiniBooNE Results and the Status of Sterile Neutrinos
- Time: 4:00 pm
- Place: 5280 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Christina Ignarra, MIT