When: Fri, May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm
Where: Room 2108, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building

Speaker: Nima Arkani-Hamed
Institution: Institute for Advanced Study
Title: "Locality & Unitarity from Positivity"
When: Fri, May 24, 2013 - 2:00pm
Where: 4102 Physics Bldg.

When: Mon, May 27, 2013 - 4:30pm
Where: Computer & Space Science Building, Room 2400

Title: Dynamics and thermodynamics of linear quantum open systems: heat transport in an ion crystal
Speaker: Juan Pablo Paz, Department of Physics, FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Abstract: I will present general results concerning the evolution and the emergence of the laws of thermodynamics for arbitrary networks of quantum oscillators coupled with arbitrary reservoirs. For such systems, I will show that the quantum state of the network always satisfies a local master equation with a simple analytical solution. Then, I will use this to demonstrate the emergence of the laws of thermodynamics in the long time regime.
Finally, I will apply these results to
study properties crystals formed by cold trapped ions. As it is well known, depending on the number of ions and on the trapping fields, this system undergoes a series of phase transitions where the structure of the ion crystal changes from 1D to 3D.
For all these cases, I will analyze the
conduction of heat through the crystal and discuss the (non)--recovery of Fourier's law.
When: Tue, May 28, 2013 - 11:00am
Where: 2115 Computer & Space Sciences

Speaker: Alessandro Restelli
Institution: Joint Quantum Institute
Two Course lecture series, May 29th and May 30th
In modern Physics laboratories building custom electronic instrumentation is a fundamental step in the design of many cutting-edge experiments. Often commercial instrumentation is not available for a particular experiment simply because, due to the novelty of the setup, the needed functionality or specification has never been required before. Design and troubleshooting of analogue or mixed analogue-digital electronics is therefore an important and increasingly required set of skills in the career of an experimental physicist. In this seminar I will provide suggestions and rules of thumb for successful PCB (printed circuit board) layout using modern SMDs (surface mount devices). Some of the topics covered during the seminar will be: reduction of interference and ground loops in low noise and high frequency analog design, differential signaling, power supply design and successfully mechanical assembly and troubleshooting during prototyping.
When: Wed, May 29, 2013 - 1:00pm
Where: 1402 Physics

Title: Reactor Neutrinos and the Double Chooz Experiment

Speaker Name: Dr. John W. Felde

Speaker Institution : University of California, Davis

Abstract : Indications of a non-zero oscillation amplitude, consistent with theta_13, were borne out by the recent results from three reactor neutrino experiments: Double Chooz, Daya Bay, and RENO. Using the Double Chooz experiment as an example, I will describe how these experiments measured the last unknown mixing parameter. Particular attention will be payed to the calibration efforts and oscillation analysis for Double Chooz. Finally, I will also put the measured value into context for future experiments.
When: Wed, May 29, 2013 - 3:00pm
Where: PHYS 1201

Speaker: Alessandro Restelli
Institution: Joint Quantum Institute
Two Course lecture series, May 29th and May 30th
Abstract: In modern Physics laboratories building custom electronic instrumentation is a fundamental step in the design of many cutting-edge experiments. Often commercial instrumentation is not available for a particular experiment simply because, due to the novelty of the setup, the needed functionality or specification has never been required before. Design and troubleshooting of analogue or mixed analogue-digital electronics is therefore an important and increasingly required set of skills in the career of an experimental physicist. In this seminar I will provide suggestions and rules of thumb for successful PCB (printed circuit board) layout using modern SMDs (surface mount devices). Some of the topics covered during the seminar will be: reduction of interference and ground loops in low noise and high frequency analog design, differential signaling, power supply design and successfully mechanical assembly and troubleshooting during prototyping.
When: Thu, May 30, 2013 - 1:00pm
Where: 1402 Physics Building

When: Fri, May 31, 2013 - 1:00pm
Where: Room 2108, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building

Save the date! -- Friday, May 31 -- Lunch at 12:30, Talks 1:30-5:00
(and please forward this message to all who may be interested)

Everyone is invited to the next Maryland-Goddard Joint Space-Science Institute (JSI)
"mini-symposium" on the afternoon of Friday May 31, in the Building 8 auditorium
at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The theme for this mini-symposium is
"Multi-Messenger Time Domain Astronomy", with the following speakers and
(approximate) titles / topics:

Judith Racusin (NASA Goddard) - Gamma-ray Bursts in the Era of Multi-Messenger Time Domain Astronomy
Erik Blaufuss (Maryland) - Results from IceCube
Imre Bartos (Columbia) - Multi-Messenger Astronomy with Gravitational Waves
Brad Cenko (Berkeley / NASA Goddard) - Two New Classes of Distant, Relativistic Outbursts
Suvi Gezari (Maryland) - Tidal Disruption Events
Sean Cutchin (NRC Postdoc at Naval Research Lab) - Radio Transients at Long Wavelengths

There will be some time for discussion after each talk, as well as over lunch and
a coffee break. Lunch will be provided at 12:30, although civil servants may
be asked to pay for their lunches (details being worked out).

Please note that NASA-Goddard is a secured facility and you will require a GSFC
badge to gain entry to the campus. If you wish to attend this event and do not have
a Goddard badge, please contact Stevie Ludlum ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE with the following information:
Full name:
Date of visit:
Email address:
Phone number:
Say whether you are a U.S. citizen, green card holder, or foreign national.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents: Give your driver's license number and state
(or similar government-issued identification if you don't have a driver's license)
Foreign nationals: Send a scanned copy of your passport and U.S. Visa

Note that processing of visitor badge requests for foreign nationals can take up
to 30 days! If some people are unable to get badges in time, we may set up a
video link to a room on the U. of Maryland campus. Therefore, please request a
badge as soon as possible, but let us know if it doesn't come through in time.

We hope to see you all there!
John Baker and Peter Shawhan, for the JSI mini-symposium committee
When: Fri, May 31, 2013 - 1:30pm
Where: Building 8 auditorium at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

When: Mon, June 3, 2013 - 4:30pm
Where: Computer & Space Science Building, Room 2400

When: Fri, June 7, 2013 - 1:00pm
Where: Room 2108, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building