Radiation Damage Spreads
A single x-ray can unravel an enormous molecule, physicists report in the March 17 issue of Physical Review Letters. Their findings could lead to safer medical imaging and a more nuanced understanding of the electronics of heavy metals. Medical imaging techniques such as MRIs use heavy metals from the bottom of the periodic table as …
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CANCELLED: Professor Donna Strickland , Katzenstein Distinguished Lecturer, March 13, 2020
Dear Friends of UConn Physics, Due to the current health situation and concerns surrounding the Corona virus, we are canceling the Katzenstein Lecture and Banquet scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2020. It was an agonizing decision to cancel, but our first priority is the health of all who would have been attending, our special guest […]
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UConn seismometer detects Puerto Rico event
The Geophysics research group (Prof. Vernon Cormier and students) operate a seismic wave station that continuously monitors vibrations in the earth’s crust, many of which arise from seismic events that happen far away. These waves travel through the deep earth, and eventually make their way to the surface where they are detected. The above […]
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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 Mallett 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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Prof. Masafumi Fukuma, Kyoto University , "Title/abstract TBA", Particle, Astrophysics, and Nuclear Physics Seminar2:00pm
3/23
Prof. Masafumi Fukuma, Kyoto University , "Title/abstract TBA", Particle, Astrophysics, and Nuclear Physics Seminar
Monday, March 23rd, 2020
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Storrs Campus GS-413E
Prof. Masafumi Fukuma, Kyoto University
Title/abstract TBA -
CANCELLED:, Dr. J. Nathan Hohman, Institute of Materials Science and the Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, CANCELLED: Condensed Matter Physics Seminar2:00pm
3/17
CANCELLED:, Dr. J. Nathan Hohman, Institute of Materials Science and the Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, CANCELLED: Condensed Matter Physics Seminar
Tuesday, March 17th, 2020
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Storrs Campus GS 119
CANCELLED:
Dr. J. Nathan Hohman,
Institute of Materials Science and the Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut
Self-Assembly of Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Crystalline Ensemble
When reduced in size to the nanoscale, materials express compelling new phenomena. For example, a single layer abstracted from graphite leads to fantastic new properties in graphene, or a nanocrystal of gold takes on new optical properties as a nanoparticle. Making materials very small or very thin has been an easy way to prepare exciting new materials--for example, the 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have a long history of investigation prior to the recent interest in their monolayers for applications in photovoltaics, electrocatalysts, and spintronic materials. 2D phases have been uncovered for a number of elements and binary semiconductors, although many compounds do not share the same propensity to form 2D structures. Through the use of hybrid materials like hybrid perovskites and metal organic chalcogenide assemblies (MOCHAs), low-dimensional nanostructures can be prepared that are part of a crystalline ensemble, unlocking new portions of the period table to the exploration of low-dimensional phases. Importantly, hybrid materials combine organic components which enables structural and electronic direction at the molecular scale. Here, we consider the structure and organization of mithrene- silver benzeneselenolate- a self-assembling layered hybrid structure, and examine its optoelectronic properties in the context of a 2D-like material. Synthetic manipulation of dimensionality and topology is used to prepare a family of related crystalline polymer systems, and the role of intermolecular forces and molecular geometry on the inorganic phases are considered in the context of transitions between 1D, 2D, and 3D coordination polymer systems. -
Due to the current health situation and concerns surrounding the Corona virus, we are canceling the Katzenstein Lecture and Banquet scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2020., CANCELLED: 24th Annual Katzenstein Distinguished Lecture4:00pm
3/13
Due to the current health situation and concerns surrounding the Corona virus, we are canceling the Katzenstein Lecture and Banquet scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2020., CANCELLED: 24th Annual Katzenstein Distinguished Lecture
Friday, March 13th, 2020
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Storrs Campus Student Union Theater
Due to the current health situation and concerns surrounding the Corona virus, we are canceling the Katzenstein Lecture and Banquet scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2020.
Presented by the UConn Physics Department, the Katzenstein Distinguished Lecture series continues this spring. This year's program features Professor Donna Strickland of the University of Waterloo, 2018 Nobel Prize winner in Physics for co-inventing chirped pulse amplification, a technique for creating high-intensity ultrashort optical pulses. More information about Professor Strickland can be found at https://physics.uconn.edu/2020/03/04/professor-donna-strickland-katzenstein-distinguished-lecturer-march-13-2020/ -
Prof. A. Wuosmaa, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, "Exotic Nuclei -- Modern Directions in Nuclear Physics", Graduate Student Seminar12:15pm
3/13
Prof. A. Wuosmaa, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, "Exotic Nuclei -- Modern Directions in Nuclear Physics", Graduate Student Seminar
Friday, March 13th, 2020
12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Storrs Campus GS-119
Prof. A. Wuosmaa, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut
Exotic Nuclei -- Modern Directions in Nuclear Physics
The study of so-called "exotic nuclei" -- atomic nuclei with a large imbalance between the number of neutrons and protons -- is a major focus of nuclear-physics research today. Our understanding of the structure of nuclei far from stability is rather poor in comparison to what we know about stable nuclei, and that knowledge is important for understanding, for example, violent events in the cosmos responsible for the synthesis of the chemical elements. I will discuss some basics of nuclear structure, some examples where nuclear structure influences astrophysics, and how we can study the properties of exotic nuclei in the laboratory. Finally, I will describe a new accelerator facility that will be completed within the next two years which will enable a deeper understanding of the properties of exotic nuclei and will provide many new opportunities for research. -
Dr. Sumanta Bandyopadhyay, Nordita, "Superconductivity in a nonhermitian system and Berezinksii classification ", Condensed Matter Physics Seminar2:00pm
3/11
Dr. Sumanta Bandyopadhyay, Nordita, "Superconductivity in a nonhermitian system and Berezinksii classification ", Condensed Matter Physics Seminar
Wednesday, March 11th, 2020
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Storrs Campus GS 119
Dr. Sumanta Bandyopadhyay,
Nordita
Superconductivity in a nonhermitian system and Berezinksii classification
We have investigated the effects of nonhemriticty on superconducting states. Nonhermiticity enters our system due to electrons leaking out of/into (in case of pumping) the system. We have explicitly constructed several unconventional pairing amplitudes in nonhermitian systems in thep resence and absence of the particle-hole symmetry. We find nonhermitian dynamics induces odd frequency superconducting states, and we present the related experimental observables. We have further studied the robustness of the Berezinskii classification [1] of anomalous pairing amplitude in the presence of the nonhermiticity and shown that SP∗OT∗=−1 symmetry withstands nonhermiticity. -
CANCELLED:, Dr. A. B. Belonoshko, Department of Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, CANCELLED: Condensed Matter Physics Seminar2:00pm
3/10
CANCELLED:, Dr. A. B. Belonoshko, Department of Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, CANCELLED: Condensed Matter Physics Seminar
Tuesday, March 10th, 2020
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Storrs Campus GS 119
CANCELLED:
Dr. A. B. Belonoshko,
Department of Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Iron under extreme conditions
I will report the latest theoretical data on the iron phase diagram. A particular emphasis will be on the stabilization of the high-PT body-centered cubic (bcc) Fe under conditions of the Earth Inner Core [1] and how its stabilization interfere in the interpretation of iron melting curve and resolution of related enigmatic questions.
The mechanism of the high-PT bcc Fe phase stabilization is quite unique. The atoms in this structure move at times as in a liquid [2]. Therefore, the mean square displacement never saturates and the diffusion coefficient and the viscosity of the bcc Fe are similar to those in very viscous liquid [3].
Recently, our theoretical prediction of the stability of high-PT bcc Fe phase [1,4] was confirmed by diamond anvil cell experiments [5]. Interesting, that when a number of the experimental studies analyzed with the knowledge of the physics of the bcc Fe phase, those experiments confirm the stability of the new phase rather than contradict it.
I will show how the X-ray diffraction pattern of the bcc Fe looks like and discuss whether similar XRD patterns have already been observed in Fe high-PT melting experiments. I will demonstrate that the stabilization of the bcc phase was at times misinterpreted as melting.
The similarity of the bcc and liquid iron under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature revives the speculations on the existence of the critical solid-liquid point.
Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the Swedish Research Council.
[1] A. B. Belonoshko, T. Lukinov, J. Fu, J. Zhao, S. Davis, S. I. Simak Nature Geoscience 10, 312 (2017).
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5Rl7mtxiEY
[3] A. B. Belonoshko, J. Fu, T. Bryk, S. I. Simak, M. Mattesini, Nature Communications 10, 1-7 (2019).
[4] A. B. Belonoshko, R. Ahuja, B. Johansson, Nature 424, 1032 (2003).
[5] R. Hrubiak, Y. Meng, G. Shen, arXiv:1804.05109 Experimental evidence of a body centered cubic iron at the Earth's core conditions. -
Dr. Ali Kaya, Department of Physics, Harvard University, "Challenging the initial condition prescriptions in quantum cosmology", Physics Colloquium (Dr. Ali Kaya)3:30pm
3/6
Dr. Ali Kaya, Department of Physics, Harvard University, "Challenging the initial condition prescriptions in quantum cosmology", Physics Colloquium (Dr. Ali Kaya)
Friday, March 6th, 2020
03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Storrs Campus BPB-131
Dr. Ali Kaya, Department of Physics, Harvard University
Challenging the initial condition prescriptions in quantum cosmology
Determining the initial state of the universe is a challenging problem in quantum cosmology and there are popular suggestions like the no boundary (Hawking & Hartle) and the tunneling (Vilenkin) prescriptions.
After briefly reviewing the problem, we argue that the quantum theory of gravity must resolve the big-bang singularity either by yielding a regular past eternal evolution or by a smooth finite beginning; in both cases the initial state can in principle be totally arbitrary that need not to be restricted by any ad-hoc principle. We illustrate this point in a minisuperspace toy model where there is a smooth beginning of the universe provided by the matter Hamiltonian degenerating to the zero operator. This simple model also illustrates how quantum gravity may resolve the big-bang singularity. -
Prof. A. Balatsky, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut and NORDITA, "Materials Informatics and Quantum Matter ", Graduate Student Seminar12:15pm
3/6
Prof. A. Balatsky, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut and NORDITA, "Materials Informatics and Quantum Matter ", Graduate Student Seminar
Friday, March 6th, 2020
12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Storrs Campus GS-119
Prof. A. Balatsky, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut and NORDITA
Materials Informatics and Quantum Matter
High-throughput calculations using first-principles methods in combination with approaches from data mining and machine learning fields have enabled a new stage in accelerated discovery of functional materials with special properties. I will present newly developed Organic Materials Database (OMDB, https://omdb.diracmaterials.org/) and discuss use of these methods. Our platform hosts thousands of electronic structures of synthesized organic materials [1] and is a useful tool in searching for novel materials. I will also discuss the implemented tools to predict and search magnetic structure factors and exchange coupling of organic materials in our database. Our work is a step towards a new way to search for novel functional materials characterized by a specific pattern in their electronic structure, for example, Dirac materials, topological insulators [2,3]. I will also present the ongoing work on the dynamics of quantum matter, where we predict transient collective instabilities in driven quantum systems [4].
[1] Stanislav S. Borysov http://et.al, (2017), PLoS ONE 12(2): http://e0171501.doi:10.137 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0171501
[2] R. M. Geilhufe, S. S. Borysov, D. Kalpakchi, A.V. Balatsky, Physical Review Materials 2:2, (2018): 024802
[3] R. Matthias Geilhufe, Bart Olsthoorn, Alfredo D. Ferella, Timo Koski, Felix Kahlhoefer, Jan Conrad and Alexander V. Balatsky, Phys. Status Solidi RRL, 2018, 12, 1800293. S. Borysov et al, npj Computational Materials volume 4, Article number: 46 (2018)
[4] A Pertsova, AV Balatsky, Dynamically Induced Excitonic Instability in Pumped Dirac Materials, Annalen der Physik, 1900549 (2020)