Events at Physics |
Events on Thursday, October 1st, 2026
- R. G. Herb Condensed Matter Seminar
- Interface Engineering Across Bulk and Mesoscale Quantum Matter
- Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Place: 5310 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Aravind Devarakonda, Columbia University
- Abstract: Engineering interactions between distinct electronic phases can present new opportunities to discover and control emergent quantum phenomena. In this seminar, I will discuss our group's efforts to realize such interactions through the design of novel interfaces in bulk and mesoscale quantum materials. I will first introduce a growing family of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) bulk van der Waals (vdW) superlattices, where layer-selective chemical substitution provides a versatile method for tailoring the electronic behavior of TMD layers within high-quality bulk heterostructures. I will focus on our recent work demonstrating how layer-selective rare-earth substitution can dramatically alter the electronic behavior of the TMD monolayers. I will then highlight our broader efforts to expand the ways in which we manipulate and assemble interfaces at the mesoscale, including techniques for reconfiguring vdW heterostructures, methods for creating lateral interfaces between crystalline metals, and potential strategies for defining interfaces in the absence of crystallographic or compositional discontinuities.
- Host: Ilya Esterlis
- Astronomy Colloquium
- Multiphase Supersonic Outflows in Active Galactic Nuclei
- Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Place: 4421 Sterling Hall
- Speaker: Daniel Proga, University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Abstract: Large-scale mass outflows from Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) naturally connect a galaxy to its central black hole and enable an AGN feedback mechanism. However, quantifying the feedback efficiency is challenging because it involves considering multidimensional fluid dynamics, radiative processes, magnetic processes, and other factors. In this talk, I will summarize the main results from our ongoing work on developing a comprehensive physical model of AGN outflows. Observations indicate that these outflows are not smooth, including the fastest ones, like the ultrafast outflows. Therefore, I will focus on discussing the physical processes that could create multiphase structures within such outflows. We will also present synthetic ultraviolet and X-ray absorption spectra, which probe different outflow phases and can be used to test our model against observations.
- Host: Sebastian Heinz