Insight from APS: Careers in Physics
What is a Bachelors of Science degree in Physics good for? What kinds of jobs are available to graduates who complete a 4-year degree in physics, but decide not to pursue an advanced degree? How does a physics degree stack up against other STEM fields in terms of employment options in today’s highly competitive job […]
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Ron Mallet Featured on NBC Connecticut
Could traveling into the past be part of our future? Quite possibly, says Ron Mallett, a UConn emeritus professor of physics who has studied the concept of time travel for decades. Earlier this month, he spoke with NBC Connecticut reporter Kevin Nathan about his life and work as a theoretical physicist, and discussed how time […]
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UConn Today: A New Phase for the Gant Science Complex
The UConn Today published an article highlighting the state of 10-year renovation of the Gant Science Complex. The Complex was first constructed between 1974 and 1978 and was home to the departments of mathematics and physics for several decades. The renovation to this 285,00 square-foot campus landmark is part of Next Generation Connecticut, the initiative […]
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Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell – 2019 Katzenstein Lecturer
The UConn Physics Department is delighted to announce that our 2019 Distinguished Katzenstein Lecturer will be Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell. Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell is world-famous for her discovery of pulsars in 1967. Pulsars are a special type of neutron star, the rotating dense remnant of a massive star. Pulsars have highly magnetic surfaces, and emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation […]
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Research Spotlight: Exploring the nature of the universe with Dr. Thomas Blum
The Daily Campus published an article highlighting the research of Prof. Thomas Blum about Quantum Chromodynamics, a theory which describes the interactions between elementary particles. The development of this theory could help further understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics. The Standard Model is what physicists use to describe the fundamental building blocks of […]
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Dr. Cyril P. Opeil, Physics Department, Boston College , "Condensed Matter from Space: Thermal Properties of CM2 Meteorites", Condensed Matter Physics Seminar2:00pm
11/19
Dr. Cyril P. Opeil, Physics Department, Boston College , "Condensed Matter from Space: Thermal Properties of CM2 Meteorites", Condensed Matter Physics Seminar
Tuesday, November 19th, 2019
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Storrs Campus GS 119
Dr. Cyril P. Opeil, Physics Department, Boston College
Condensed Matter from Space: Thermal Properties of CM2 Meteorites
Measurement of the low-temperature thermodynamic and physical properties of meteorites provides fundamental data for the study and understanding of asteroids and other small bodies. Of particular interest are the CM carbonaceous chondrites, which represent a class of primitive meteorites that record substantial chemical information concerning the evolution of the volatile-rich materials in the early solar system. Most CM chondrites contain both anhydrous minerals such as olivine and pyroxene, along with abundant hydrous phyllosilicates contained in the meteorite matrix interspersed between the chondrules. We have measured the thermal conductivity, heat capacity and thermal expansion of five CM carbonaceous chondrites (Murchison, Murray, Cold Bokkeveld, NWA 7309, Jbilet Winselwan) at low temperatures (5-300 K) that span the range of possible surface temperatures in the asteroid belt. The thermal expansion measurements show a substantial and unexpected decrease in CM volume as temperature decreases from 230 - 210 K followed by a gradual contraction below 210 K. Such transitions are not typical for other CV or CO carbonaceous chondrites. Thermal diffusivity and thermal inertia as a function of temperature are calculated from measurements of density, thermal conductivity and heat capacity. Our thermal diffusivity results compare well with previous estimates for similar meteorites, where conductivity was derived from diffusivity measurements and modeled heat capacities; our new values are of higher precision and cover a wider range of temperatures. -
Dr. William I. Jay, Theoretical Physics Department, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory , "Composite BSM physics on the lattice", Particle, Astrophysics, and Nuclear Physics Seminar2:00pm
11/18
Dr. William I. Jay, Theoretical Physics Department, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory , "Composite BSM physics on the lattice", Particle, Astrophysics, and Nuclear Physics Seminar
Monday, November 18th, 2019
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Storrs Campus GS-413E
Dr. William I. Jay, Theoretical Physics Department, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Composite BSM physics on the lattice
My talk will describe recent results from lattice simulations of SU(4) gauge theory with simultaneous fermions in two different representations. The motivation for studying such a theory is twofold. First, this theory is closely related to a theory of physics beyond the Standard Model which was recently proposed in the literature. In this model, the Higgs boson is a composite particle, and the top quark is a partially composite particle. Second, theories of this sort represent a new direction in the study of gauge dynamics and thus provide many opportunities to test our qualitative understanding of strongly coupled physics. -
Prof. Zackaria Chacko, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, "Neutral Naturalness", Physics Colloquium (Prof. Zackaria Chacko, UMd)3:30pm
11/15
Prof. Zackaria Chacko, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, "Neutral Naturalness", Physics Colloquium (Prof. Zackaria Chacko, UMd)
Friday, November 15th, 2019
03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Storrs Campus BPB-131
Prof. Zackaria Chacko, Department of Physics,
University of Maryland
Neutral Naturalness
I explain the hierarchy problem of the standard model of particle physics, and discuss some of the ideas which have been put forward to resolve it. I then show that a specific class of theories, built around a framework known as neutral naturalness, can help address this problem while remaining consistent with all current experimental tests. I explain that while certain theories in this class give rise to striking signals, others are extremely difficult to test, and require a detailed study of the properties of the Higgs boson. I consider the implications of these results for the Large Hadron Collider, and for future experimental programs.
Cookies will be served prior to the talk, at 3:00 p.m. outside BPB 131 -
Prof. E. Dormidontova, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, "Soft Matter Physics: Computer Simulations and Theory", Graduate Student Seminar12:15pm
11/15
Prof. E. Dormidontova, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, "Soft Matter Physics: Computer Simulations and Theory", Graduate Student Seminar
Friday, November 15th, 2019
12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Storrs Campus GS-119
Prof. E. Dormidontova, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut
Soft Matter Physics: Computer Simulations and Theory
Soft matter has become an essential part of modern technology (including responsive and bio-mimicking materials, pharmaceutics, complex fluids, soft lithography, photonics, etc.). The physics of these materials is complex and diverse. I'll briefly introduce different areas of Soft Matter physics and discuss the specifics of behavior of these systems. The rich behavior of soft matter systems makes computer modeling especially desirable, as one can select the appropriate resolution level of the model and can test different analytical models or hypothesis by considering limits. I'll briefly introduce different computer modeling approaches that we use in my group and discuss several examples of recent work by my graduate students. I will also outline developing new projects, some in collaboration with experimental groups. I welcome questions and discussion during the seminar, so please do not hesitate to interrupt me and ask questions. -
23rd Annual Katzenstein Distinguished Lecture Series4:00pm
11/8
23rd Annual Katzenstein Distinguished Lecture Series
Friday, November 8th, 2019
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Storrs Campus Student Union Theater
Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell from the University of Oxford in England is world famous for her discovery of pulsars in 1967. At the time of the discovery of pulsars, Bell Burnell was a graduate student at the University of Cambridge and worked with her supervisor, Anthony Hewish. This discovery is considered one of the most important achievements of the 20th century and was recognized by a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974, awarded to her supervisor Anthony Hewish as well as to astronomer Martin Ryle.
In 2018, she also received the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. Bell Burnell donated her full $3 million Breakthrough prize to fund "women, underrepresented ethnic minority, and refugee students to become physics researchers." She told http://space.com, "I feel that I made my contribution in part because I felt an outsider," she added. "I was one of very few women, and I wasn't from the southeast of England, the affluent part of the country. So, I think increasing diversity of the workforce actually allows all sorts of things to develop."
Professor Dame Bell Burnell has a highly distinguished career including serving as the head of the Royal Astronomical Society, the first female president of both the Institute of Physics and The Royal Society of Edinburgh. For services to astronomy she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.
View the livestream at: https://www.youtube.com/TheUCTVchannel14 -
Prof. Meredith Hughes, Wesleyan, "Using Debris Disks to Trace the Dynamics of Planetary Systems", Physics Colloquium (Prof. Meredith Hughes, Wesleyan)3:30pm
11/1
Prof. Meredith Hughes, Wesleyan, "Using Debris Disks to Trace the Dynamics of Planetary Systems", Physics Colloquium (Prof. Meredith Hughes, Wesleyan)
Friday, November 1st, 2019
03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Storrs Campus BPB 131
Prof. Meredith Hughes, Wesleyan
Using Debris Disks to Trace the Dynamics of Planetary Systems
Debris disks are signposts of mature planetary systems, and millimeter-size dust is an excellent tracer of the gravitational landscape around planets. I will describe observations using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) that leverage the presence of debris disks to explore the dynamics of planetary systems. For example, we can use the vertical puffiness (or lack thereof) to hunt for otherwise invisible Uranus and Neptune analogs, and in systems with directly imaged companions we can use the chaotic zone extent as a measurement of the dynamical mass of the companion. We are also using millimeter disk morphology as a test of theories of the origin of wide-separation planets.
Cookies will be served prior to the talk, at 3:00 p.m. outside BPB-131 -
Prof. C. Battersby, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, "The Milky Way Laboratory", Graduate Student Seminar12:15pm
11/1
Prof. C. Battersby, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, "The Milky Way Laboratory", Graduate Student Seminar
Friday, November 1st, 2019
12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Storrs Campus GS-119
Prof. C. Battersby, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut
The Milky Way Laboratory
Our own Milky Way Galaxy is a powerful and relatively nearby laboratory in which to study the physical processes that occur throughout the Universe. From the organization of gas on galactic scales to the life cycle of gas and stars under varied environmental conditions, studies of our Milky Way underpin many areas of modern astrophysics. I will present a brief tour of our Milky Way Laboratory, including 1) the connection between long, filamentary molecular clouds and spiral structure, and 2) how observing our extreme, turbulent Galactic Center (the Central Molecular Zone) can help us learn more about how gas is converted into stars during the peak epoch of cosmic star formation. I will also briefly discuss the Origins Space Telescope, a NASA mission concept study for the 2020 Decadal survey, opening up about 3 orders of magnitude of discovery space on science from first stars to life.
Nuclear Astrophysics -
H. Perry Hatchfield, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, "Understanding Enigmatic Star Formation Activity in the Milky Way's Galactic Center", Astronomy Seminar2:30pm
10/30
H. Perry Hatchfield, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, "Understanding Enigmatic Star Formation Activity in the Milky Way's Galactic Center", Astronomy Seminar
Wednesday, October 30th, 2019
02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Storrs Campus GS-119
H. Perry Hatchfield, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut
Understanding Enigmatic Star Formation Activity in the Milky Way's Galactic Center
The CMZoom Survey, a Submillimeter Array (SMA) large program, has produced a catalog of dense objects in the 1.3mm dust continuum, complete within all high (\(>10^{23}\) N(H2)) column density clouds across the inner 300 pc of the Milky Way. This region, known as the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) is well studied for its extreme densities, pressures, temperatures and turbulent forces relative to the Galactic disk, as well as a mysterious deficiency of star formation relative to its dense molecular gas content. To understand this deficiency, we are building a suite of hydrodynamic simulations with a consistent dynamical model for the CMZ, implemented with variable physics. By developing these simulations and observations together, we aim to compile a set of tools to better understand the relationship between dense gas and star formation across galactic environments.