Events on Tuesday, April 11th, 2023
- Network in Neutrinos, Nuclear Astrophysics, and Symmetries (N3AS) Seminar
- Light sterile neutrinos in compact binary merger remnants
- Time: 2:00 pm
- Place: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 912 3071 4547
- Speaker: Irene Tamborra , Niels Bohr Institute, Denmark
- Abstract: The coalescence of a neutron star with another neutron star or a black hole leads to the formation of a compact binary merger. The upcoming large number of binary merger remnant observations will offer unprecedented opportunities to characterize the population of binary mergers, the physics of these sources, and also the eventual existence of physics beyond the Standard Model. The existence of extra sterile neutrino species is not ruled out because of persistent experimental anomalies and it could have indirect implications on the merger disk cooling rate, the merger outflows, and related electromagnetic observables. In this talk, we will explore the flavor conversion phenomenology in the presence of sterile neutrinos in compact binary merger remnants.
- Host: A. Baha Balantekin
- Graduate Program Event
- A(ction) functional gradient descent algorithm for estimating instantons in chemical reaction networks
- Time: 4:00 pm
- Place: 4274 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Praful Gagrani, Physics Graduate Student
- Abstract: Chemical reaction networks (CRNs) taken under mass-action kinetics play a central role in the mathematical modeling of chemistry and biology. A key reason for their widespread utility is their capacity to exhibit multiple attractors and capture a wide range of nonlinear phenomena. Computing paths of transition between attractors, or instantons, is a challenging task, not solvable analytically for all but the simplest cases. In our work, we propose an algorithm for numerically estimating instantons for a CRN. The algorithm uses the Hamiltonian description of a stochastic CRN and solves a MinMax problem on the Action functional to converge on the instanton. In this talk, I will present a schematic derivation of the Hamiltonian and Action functional for stochastic CRNs, explain our Action Functional Gradient Descent (AFGD) algorithm, and show computational and practical applications. Finally, I will briefly discuss the unified formalism to which both stochastic and quantum Hamiltonians belong and propose directions for future research. (For details, see
- Host: Sridara Dasu
- Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminar
- Wisconsin's role in harnessing fusion energy
- Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Place: Discovery Building, DeLuca Forum and streaming; see for full details
- Speaker: Cary Forest , Physics, Realta Fusion
- Abstract: Fusion holds promise to provide abundant clean energy, but realizing this promise will require partners from academia, government, community organizations and the private sector. Cary Forest, professor of physics and co-founder of Realta Fusion, will explore recent breakthroughs in fusion energy and highlight Wisconsin’s role. He will also share the story of Realta Fusion, a UW-Madison startup with WARF support that seeks to use fusion to provide industrial process heat.
This event will held at the Discovery Building and on Zoom.
The Capital Times is the media partner for Crossroads.
See for full details and to register - Host: WARF