We are hosting weekly shows, open to anyone who is interested in learning a bit about our universe in our newly-remodeled planetarium! Space is limited, so make sure to reserve a space through our Marketplace page: http://tiny.cc/uconn_planetarium

Dr. Dima Kharzeev, Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory

When Physics meets Quantum information

The interplay between physics and quantum information drives profound advancements in our understanding of nature, reshaping fundamental concepts and enabling groundbreaking technologies. In this colloquium, we will explore how quantum information and physics intersect, influencing and transforming each other.

I will discuss the role of entanglement in quantum matter (both in and out of equilibrium), quantum computation as a powerful tool for simulating complex physical systems, and the impact of information-theoretic principles on nuclear, high-energy, and condensed matter physics. By bridging the gap between these fields, we unlock new avenues for discovery and pave the way for technological breakthroughs.

We are hosting weekly shows, open to anyone who is interested in learning a bit about our universe in our newly-remodeled planetarium! Space is limited, so make sure to reserve a space through our Marketplace page: http://tiny.cc/uconn_planetarium

Prof. Victor S. Batista, Department of Chemistry, Yale University and Yale Quantum Institute

Simulating Dynamics on Bosonic Quantum Devices

Bosonic quantum devices offer a novel approach to realize quantum computations, where the quantum two-level system (qubit) is replaced with the quantum (an)harmonic oscillator (qumode) as the fundamental building block of the quantum simulator. The simulation of chemical structure and dynamics can then be achieved by representing or mapping the system Hamiltonians in terms of bosonic operators. In this talk, we review recent progress and future potential of using bosonic quantum devices for addressing a wide range of challenging chemical problems, including the calculation of molecular vibronic spectra, the simulation of adiabatic and nonadiabatic chemical dynamics, quantum machine learning applications for characterization of molecular systems, molecular docking of molecular graph theory problems, and the calculations of electronic structure

We are hosting weekly shows, open to anyone who is interested in learning a bit about our universe in our newly-remodeled planetarium! Space is limited, so make sure to reserve a space through our Marketplace page: http://tiny.cc/uconn_planetarium

Brendan Cole, EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature

Is Andromeda a Barred Spiral? What Planet is Shrek From?

Informal educators engage individuals in museums, libraries, and school assemblies–environments that are highly stimulating and lower-stakes than the traditional classroom. Interactively exploring and examining complex topics in these settings requires careful consideration of what is being shown and the language used to convey it. Brendan Cole, Manager of Museum Education at Worcester’s EcoTarium museum of science and nature will dive into the tips, tricks, and techniques for engaging a public audience with any scientific topic, including one that you may not have prepared for.

Check in registration starts: Friday, January 24, 2:30 pm

Conference ends: Sunday, January 26, 2:00 pm

Conference program: https://physics.uconn.edu/cuwip/program/

Conference website: https://physics.uconn.edu/cuwip/

Dr. Jakob den Brok, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian

Unveiling Molecular Gas Conditions and their link to Star Formation with CO Observations in Nearby Galaxies

An intricate interplay exists between the molecular gas in the interstellar medium (ISM) and the onset of star formation. Gaining insight into the molecular gas’s composition and its physical and chemical conditions is crucial to comprehending how star formation is regulated, and how galaxies evolve. However, the most abundant molecule, H_2, is challenging to observe directly under commonly cold ISM conditions across nearby galaxies. Carbon Monoxide (CO) emission has become the most accessible tracer of the bulk molecular ISM distribution. I will present recent findings from multiple comprehensive astrophysical surveys mapping CO and isotopologue line emission across entire nearby galaxies. With these, I explore the CO excitation conditions from kiloparsec to 100s-parsec scales and show how it is possible to also assess the chemical enrichment of C and O elements. Furthermore, I present the analysis of variations in the CO-to-H_2 conversion factor, which is needed accurately translate the observed CO brightness into a H_2 mass surface density. I link these variations to different galactic environments across the entire molecular disk of iconic star-forming galaxies such as M51 and M101. In summary, my talk illustrates the use of CO line observations as diagnostics for accurately accounting and interpreting the variation of CO-derived properties of the molecular ISM from kiloparsec to 100s-parsec scales.