Physics Colloquia
Physics Colloquium – Wynn Ho
Lapham 160 3209 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, United StatesWynn Ho, Haverford College
The Impact of Pulsar Glitches and NICER on Gravitational Wave Searches
Pulsars are the rotating remnant of massive stars and are unique probes of dense matter physics. They are famous for having very precisely measured spin rates, and this spin evolves extremely regularly for most pulsars. However, young pulsars can occasionally undergo sudden spin changes, known as glitches.
Physics PhD Colloquium – Deep Chatterjee
Lapham 160 3209 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, United StatesDeep Chatterjee, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee PhD Candidate
Title and abstract TBA
Ionel Popa: Postponed Until Fall 2020
Lapham 160 3209 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, United StatesIonel Popa, UWM Physics Faculty
Title and abstract TBA
Michelle Larson: Postponed Until AY 2020/2021
Lapham 160 3209 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, United StatesMichelle Larson, Adler Planetarium
Title and abstract TBA
Physics Colloquium – Dr. Morgan Lynch
KIRC 1150 3135 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, United StatesDr. Morgan Lynch, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
A Brief History of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime
The incorporation of classical general relativity into the framework of quantum field theory yielded a rather surprising result -- thermodynamic particle production. In short, for fundamental deformations in the structure of spacetime, quantum mechanics necessitates the creation of thermalized particles from the vacuum. One such phenomenon, known as the Unruh effect, causes empty space to effervesce a thermal bath of particles when viewed by an observer undergoing uniformly accelerated motion.
In this presentation, we will review the timeline of conceptual discoveries which led to broad classes of these intriguing thermodynamic phenomena. Beginning with the original discovery of particles created by the expansion of the universe, we will cover a brief history of quantum field theory in curved spacetime, culminating in the first experimental observation of the Unruh effect, and other aspects of acceleration-induced thermality, in high energy channeling radiation.
Physics Colloquium – Mark Williamsen
KIRC 1150 3135 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, United StatesMark Williamsen, Quantum Design, Inc
Applications of AC Bridges in Cryogenic Measurements
AC (alternating current) bridges have proven to be useful in making precise measurements at low temperature, including thermometry as well as length change with respect to either thermal expansion (dilatometry) or applied magnetic field (magnetostriction). Techniques now in use allow one leg of the bridge to be placed at the cryogenic sample site while the other legs remain at room temperature, with the intervening temperature gradient being imposed along a length of coaxial cable.
Physics Colloquium – Daniel Vrinceanu
KIRC 1150 3135 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, United StatesRadiative Cascade in Rydberg Atoms
This talk is an introduction to the physics of Rydberg atoms. The two complementary flavors of Rydberg atoms, high and low angular momentum states, have contrasting properties as they relate to the correspondence principle that bridges classical behavior to quantum mechanics. Dynamic symmetries allow a unified point of view to investigate this correspondence. Highly excited atoms dissipate their energy in different ways depending on their initial angular momentum: low angular momentum states make transitions in large energy increments, quickly approaching the ground state, while high angular momentum states make small steps, slowly spiraling towards lower states.
Physics Colloquium – Pierre-Alexandre Gourdain
KIRC 1150 3135 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, United StatesThe Impact of Electron Physics in High Energy Density Plasmas
The study of high energy density plasmas (HEDP) allows researchers to study the impact of microscopic phenomena on macroscopic scales by using plasmas dense enough to be probed by high energy photons (i.e. visible, UV, X-ray). This probe allows us to use readily available detectors to make precise, two-dimensional measurements of the electron density and infer the electron flow speed and magnetic field.
Physics Colloquium – Dr. Horia Petrache
Dr. Horia Petrach, Department of Physics, Indiana & Purdue Universities
Interactions of Neuromodulators with Model Lipid Membranes
Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators typically function by binding to specialized receptors in neuronal membranes. In this work, we study two different neurotransmitters that also function as neuromodulators, namely dopamine (DA) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Dopamine is best known as the feel-pleasure hormone while ATP is best known for being the source of energy in the cell.
Physics Colloquium – Ben Owen
Lapham 160 3209 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, United StatesProfessor Ben Owen, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Texas Tech University
Multi-messenger Astrophysics from LIGO to Cosmic Explorer
LIGO’s detections of gravitational waves from binary mergers made history and yielded insights into extreme gravity and matter. With more detections, unusual mergers will yield ever more information on new populations. What other gravitational wave signals will be detected, from LIGO to Cosmic Explorer? What physics and astrophysics will we learn from them, especially in tandem with new and planned electromagnetic astronomy facilities?