Invited speakers present current research on a variety of topics relating to physics and astronomy; the departmental colloquium is generally held weekly. The talks are open to all members of the RPI community.
“THz Photonics: New Spectral Frontier”
Dr. Xi-Cheng Zhang
from University of Rochester
Abstract: THz photonics, an extension of microwave photonics that emerged in the mid-1980s, represents a journey from scientific curiosity to transformative technology.
“Emergent Quantum Phenomena in Graphene: Condensed Matter Physics Through a Piece of Carbon”
Long Ju, Lawrence C (1944) & Sarah W. Biedenharn Associate Professor of Physics
from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Condensed matter physics aims to explore and understand various quantum phenomena that emerge from the interactions between nuclei and electrons. Through synthesizing and investigating various crystals, this constructionism approach has led to the discovery of many amazing phenomena, especially when the principles of electron correlation and topology play important roles. The settings of such conventional crystals are often very complicated, making it hard to extract the essential ingredients and understand the underlying physics. In this talk, I will show our efforts on establishing a new paradigm, based on a material known as rhombohedral graphene, which is part of natural graphite. Rhombohedral graphene has the simplest chemistry and structure, yet can be controlled by a set of experimental knobs to exhibit many intriguing phenomena in condensed matter physics. Beyond phenomena that were familiar, I will focus on two newly observed quantum phases of matter, chiral superconductor[1] and fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect[2]. I will show their construction, phenomena, and implications for quantum many-body physics and applications. In the end, I will discuss new opportunities to be explored in this new paradigm.
"The Cosmic Microwave Background Explained for Everyone"
Dr. Julian Georg
from RPI
The Universe is permeated by photons that are cosmological in origin and almost as old as the Universe itself. They are what we call the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB).
"First-principles Prediction of Spin Relaxation, Dephasing and Transport From Density-Matrix Dynamics"
Dr. Joshua Quinton
from RPI, The Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy
Abstract: Improved methods for manipulating and detecting spin in materials are needed for advancing the state of the art in spintronics, quantum computing, and quantum information science.
