Events at Physics |
Events During the Week of February 28th through March 6th, 2016
Monday, February 29th, 2016
- Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminar
- Initial measurements of particle transport and self-ordering in the Magnetized Dusty Plasma Experiment (MDPX)
- Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Place: 1153 Mechanical Engineering
- Speaker: Dr. Edward Thomas, Auburn
- Host: UW Madison
Tuesday, March 1st, 2016
- Theory Seminar (High Energy/Cosmology)
- Higgs physics opportunities at future e+e- collider
- Time: 3:30 pm
- Place: 5280 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Zhen Liu, Fermilab
- Abstract: Abstract: Collider experiments provide a well-controlled testing ground for elementary particle physics with broad scope. Given the Higgs boson discovery at the LHC in 2012 and the necessary advance in planning for future collider experiments, this is the high time to discuss their Higgs physics potential, which is very complementary to the LHC. In this talk, I will discuss recent developments in Higgs coupling precision measurements, angular asymmetries constructed to extract different tensorial structures of Higgs interactions, and a comparative study of the potential in measuring BSM Higgs-top quark effects. I will also discuss the corresponding implications for several representative new physics models from these Higgs measurements.
- Host: Yang Bai
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016
- Department Meeting
- CANCELLED- Rescheduled for next week: 03/09/16
- CANCELLED - Rescheduled for next week: 03/09/16
- Time: 12:15 pm
- Place: 5310 Chamberlin Hall
Thursday, March 3rd, 2016
- R. G. Herb Condensed Matter Seminar
- To a loophole-free test of local realism and beyond.
- Time: 10:00 am
- Place: 5310 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Brad Christensen, University Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Abstract: A loophole-free Bell test has been sought to conclusively answer a central debate of 20th century physics: can an alternative theory to quantum mechanics (i.e., a local realistic theory) explain entanglement's seemingly nonclassical correlations? Here, we will present the details of our loophole-free Bell test, where we use a high-quality and high-efficiency source of entangled photons to achieve a p-value as low as 5.8 x 10-9 while maintaining space-like separation of all relevant events. Furthermore, we will briefly discuss the generalized theory of nonlocality, which we use to experimentally demonstrate the counterintuitive effect of more nonlocality with less entanglement, present the most nonlocal correlations ever reported and use these correlations to bound the predictability of any post-quantum theory, and achieve quantum correlations requiring the use of complex qubits. From this small sample of measurements, we hope to show the strength of Bell tests in probing current and future theories.
- Host: Mcdermott
- Cosmology Journal Club
- An Informal discussion about a broad variety of arXiv papers related to Cosmology
- Time: 12:15 pm - 1:30 pm
- Place: 5242 Chamberlin Hall
- Abstract: Please visit the following link for more details:
http://cmb.physics.wisc.edu/journal/index.html
Please feel free to bring your lunch!
If you have questions or comments about this journal club, would like to propose a topic or volunteer to introduce a paper, please email Amol Upadhye (aupadhye@wisc.edu). - Host: Amol Upadhye
- Astronomy Colloquium
- Quantitative Polarimetry: From Star Formation to Cosmological Studies
- Time: 3:15 pm - 5:00 pm
- Place: 4421 Sterling Hall, Coffee and cookies 3:15, Talk at 3:30 PM
- Speaker: Thiem Hoang, CITA
- Abstract: We are entering a golden age of dust polarimetry with numerous CMB experiments (e.g., SPIDER, BICEP/Keck, LiteBIRD) hunting for primordial gravitational waves through B-mode polarization, and a dozen of big instruments designed to elucidate the roles of magnetic fields in star formation through submm/mm polarization (e.g., SOFIA, SMA, ALMA). The correct determination of B-mode signal, as well as reliable understanding of magnetic fields in star formation, are only achieved when we have a quantitative treatment of dust polarization. In this talk, first, I will present our recent works on quantifying the polarization of spinning dust emission and magnetic dust emission. Second, I will present our quantitative theory of grain alignment, physical modeling of dust polarization with our theory, and comparisons with observational data. Then, I will discuss our ongoing efforts to construct an accurate physical modeling of dust polarization needed for reliable component separation in cosmic microwave background polarization experiments. Finally, I will discuss our numerical simulations of dust polarization in molecular clouds, which will shed light on the roles of magnetic fields in star formation.
- Host: Professor Lazarian
- Careers for Physicists
- Careers at Epic
- Time: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
- Place: 5280 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Sean Cotter (MS 2008), Epic
- Abstract: Transition from college to career, how he is using his physics major at Epic
- Host: Physics Department
Friday, March 4th, 2016
- Atomic Physics Seminar
- Quantum information with cold atom ensembles: beyond continuous variables
- Time: 11:00 am
- Place: 5310 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Tim Byrnes, NYU
- Abstract: An alternative framework to quantum information and computation based on spin coherent states is proposed. Traditionally quantum computing approaches are formulated in terms of either discrete (qubit) or continuous variables. Our approach offers an alternative third path, naturally suited towards implementations in cold atom ensembles and BECs. The scheme is illustrated by an application to quantum algorithms and we discuss the effects of decoherence induced by the large number of particles in the BEC. In particular, we discuss a quantum teleportation protocol that allows for the transfer of spin coherent states beyond the usual continuous variables formalism. The scheme differs from existing protocols in that a large ensemble of spins is teleported, rather than a qubit variable, resulting in a type of macroscopic teleportation. Other techniques such as phase contrast imaging and Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm in a beyond continuous variables context are also discussed.
- Host: Saffman
- Physics Department Colloquium
- Understanding when we can trust climate models: Characterizing uncertainty in climate change from global to regional scales
- Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Place: 2241 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Chris E. Forest, Penn State
- Abstract: Uncertainty in regional climate predictions is a critical component of understanding risks of future climate impacts. Unfortunately, while State-of-the-science Earth System Models show consistency with observations at global and hemispheric scales, they show limited skill in reproducing climate change at sub-continental and smaller scales (i.e., regional scales) despite their ability detect and attribute climate change at global to continental scales. Significant internal/chaotic climate variability is one reason for this lack of skill. Structural uncertainty in modeling the physical climate system is an additional issue. Uncertainty in the centennial timescale trajectory of greenhouse gases and other factors impacting long-term changes is yet another component. In this talk, we will discuss components in climate models that lead to these uncertainties with a focus on basic physical processes related to both global and regional climate change.
- Host: Susan Nossal