Events at Physics |
Events on Thursday, February 24th, 2011
- R. G. Herb Condensed Matter Seminar
- Hybrid Quantum Information Processing with Circuit QED
- Time: 10:00 am
- Place: 5310 Chamberlin
- Speaker: David Schuster, University of Chicago
- Abstract: Quantum computing represents an enormous challenge with the competing requirements of fast manipulation, long storage, and long distance transport of fragile quantum states. Individually these goals have been realized with nanosecond manipulations (quantum circuits), coherence times measured in seconds (atomic ions/nuclear spins), and entanglement transported over kilometers (linear optics). Yet thus far no system has achieved all of the necessary components simultaneously. Just as classical computers have evolved to make use of magnetic, charge, and optical technologies, perhaps the ultimate realization of a quantum computer will also involve hybrid quantum systems. I will describe how superconducting circuits can be used to manipulate single photons, and how they can act as a universal quantum bus to interface with many other physical systems. This hybrid approach can both improve prospects for quantum information science as well as illuminate new physics of the component systems. As a specific example, I will show how superconducting circuits can be coupled to mesoscopic spin ensembles which might serve as a high fidelity quantum memory and also provide a means to access broadband, low temperature (millikelvin), ultra low power (attowatt) electron spin resonance.
- Host: Robert McDermott
- Astronomy Colloquium
- Young Circumstellar Disks: Exoplanet Diagnostics
- Time: 3:45 pm
- Place: 4421 Sterling Hall
- Speaker: John Wisniewski, University of Washington
- Abstract: Circumstellar disks provide a useful astrophysical diagnostic of the formation and early evolution of exoplanets. It is commonly believed that young protoplanetary disks and transitional disks serve as the birthplace of planets, while older debris disks can provide insight into the architecture of exoplanetary systems. Spectacular ground-truth of this disk-exoplanet connection was provided by the recent successful direct imaging of exoplanets in the Fomalhaut, HR 8799, and Beta Pic systems. In this talk, I will discuss how one can use high contrast imaging techniques to spatially resolve circumstellar disk systems. I will focus on the initial results and future prospects from the Subaru Strategic Exploration of Exoplanets and Disks (SEEDS) project, a 5-yr program guaranteed 120 nights on the 8.2m Subaru Telescope to spatially resolve ~200 nearby circumstellar disks and investigate ~300 nearby stars in a direct imaging exoplanet survey. <br>
- Host: Barbara Whitney