Semester Calendar Date

Lieb-Robinson bounds and their application to disordered systems

Abstract: The non-equilibrium dynamics of quantum many-body systems is a notoriously difficult topic of study, but one in which much progress is currently being made. Lieb-Robinson bounds have proven to be a valuable tool for obtaining both rigorous results and physical intuition. In this talk, after an introduction to the physical content of Lieb-Robinson bounds and a description of various applications, we discuss our recent work constructing bounds for systems with quenched disorder in 1D.

Building Quantum Networks from Space

Abstract: The SpooQy-1 project designed, built and operated a source of polarisation entangled photon-pairs onboard a CubeSat for over 600 days. From the lessons learned in the SpooQy-1 mission, the Singapore-based team is working towards performing entanglement distribution from a small satellite to ground receivers. In this talk, I will share observations about the performance of the satellite, the entangled photon source, and the single photon detectors in orbit. These data has been used to validate some very useful models for predicting the effect of radiation on components.

A Tale of Two Disciplines: Non-Abelian Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis

Abstract: Why do chaotic quantum many-body systems thermalize internally? The eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) explains why if the Hamiltonian lacks degeneracies. If the Hamiltonian conserves one quantity ("charge"), the ETH implies thermalization within an eigenspace of the charge—in a microcanonical subspace. However, quantum systems can have charges that fail to commute with each other and so share no eigenbasis; microcanonical subspaces may not exist. Worse, the Hamiltonian will have degeneracies, so the ETH need not imply thermalization.

Machine Learning with In-Physics Computing

Abstract: This talk presents recent progress in photonic integrated circuits and solid-state artificial atoms for processing classical and quantum information in deep learning neural networks architectures. These developments can lead to faster and more energy-efficient computing architectures that solve problems with complexities beyond today’s systems.
Location: ATL 2400

Harnessing Synthetic Dimensions for Topological Photonics

Abstract: The dimensionality of a physical system strongly influences its classical and quantum behavior, be it for Ising phase transitions, or the recurrence properties of random walks, or for Anderson localization. Specifically for topological phenomena, richer topological and emergent phases can be expected in higher dimensions. However, experimentally realizing such high-dimensional systems is challenging in real space because it requires complicated spatial structures.

Simulating condensed matter physics in semiconductor moiré materials

Abstract: The discovery of moiré materials has enabled the studies of condensed matter phenomena in a simpler and more controllable fashion. To a good approximation, the system can be regarded as a lattice of tunable artificial atoms, bridging the gap between real solid-state materials and cold atom quantum simulators. In this talk, I will use an archetypal semiconductor moiré material, angle-aligned MoTe 2 /WSe 2 bilayers, to illustrate how a rich set of condensed matter phenomena can be “simulated” in a single material by simply adjusting the gate voltages in a field-effect device.

Topological Quantum Computation with Majorana zero-energy modes

Abstract: Research in quantum computing has offered many new physical insights and a potential to exponentially increase the computational power that can be harnessed to solve important problems in science and technology. The largest fundamental barrier to building a scalable quantum computer is errors caused by decoherence. Topological quantum computing overcomes this barrier by exploiting topological materials which, by their nature, limit errors.

Observation of Stochastic Wavefunction Evolution from Dispersively Measured Bose-Einstein Condensates

Abstract: A fundamental tenet of quantum mechanics is that measurements change a system's wavefunction to that most consistent with the measurement outcome, even if no observer is present. Weak measurements---termed partial or non-destructive in different settings---produce only limited information about the system, and as a result only minimally change the system's state. Ultracold atoms - our workhorse for quantum simulation, are an ideal platform for developing back-action limited measurements and understanding system-reservoir dynamics of large-scale many-body systems.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Papers (The Human Side of Physics)

Abstract: Physics is a human activity. Doing hard science involves not only having ideas and taking data, but also convincing your peers by communicating your results in a clear fashion. In this talk, I will offer a bit of the editorial perspective from PRL on how scientific knowledge is established in papers. Our main topic will be the way papers are conceived, treated by editors, assessed by peers, and finally published.
 
 
Location: PSC 3150