Graduate Program Events |
Events on Thursday, April 30th, 2026
- Preliminary Exam
- Modelling Nonequilibrium Superconducting Dynamics for MKID Applications
- Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Place: 4272 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Soren Ormseth, Physics PhD Graduate Student
- Abstract: Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) are a leading-edge technology for the high-precision detection of single photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, from the far-infrared to X-rays. While their macroscopic operating principle, photon-induced shifts in kinetic inductance, is well understood, current models often rely on equilibrium approximations that fail to capture the complex, non-thermal dynamics of quasiparticles and phonons. This gap limits our ability to optimize MKID sensitivity and resolving power. Here, we present a modeling framework for nonequilibrium superconducting physics that accounts for quasiparticle and phonon spatial transport and scattering. By resolving these dynamics, this model provides a pathway to understanding operational behaviors in MKIDs such as pulse-shape variations or readout-induced noise. Furthermore, the universality of this approach is applicable to the problem of quasiparticle poisoning in superconducting qubits, and we aim to provide a unified tool for advancing the performance of next-generation superconducting quantum devices."
- Host: Peter Timbie
- Preliminary Exam
- Measurement of the Neutrino Flux from the Milky Way using the IceCube Multi-Flavor Astrophysical Neutrino Sample
- Time: 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
- Place: 5280 CH
- Speaker: Matthias Thiesmeyer, Physics PhD Graduate Student
- Abstract: The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has provided new insights into the high-energy universe, unveiling neutrinos from the galactic plane to extragalactic supermassive black holes. In this talk, we present a 12.3-year, full-sky, all-flavor dataset, the IceCube Multi-Flavor Astrophysics Neutrino sample (ICEMAN). ICEMAN is the combination of three largely independent neutrino samples of different event morphologies. It builds upon the previous work of the DNN-based cascade sample, Enhanced Starting Track Event Selection, and the Northern Track sample. Recent improvements in ice modeling and detector calibration are also incorporated into the cascade simulation and reconstruction. This dataset was used in an unbinned maximum likelihood to carry out a template-based measurement of the diffuse galactic neutrino flux across four distinct model hypotheses. Preliminary measurement results will be presented, addressing the different model assumptions. Furthermore, prospects of a follow-up analysis targeting the galactic center using enhancements in background simulation will be discussed.
- Host: Lu Lu