Events on Thursday, February 12th, 2026
- R. G. Herb Condensed Matter Seminar
- Orbital magnetism and flat bands in magnetic field
- Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Place: 5310 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Oskar Vafek , UMN-FTPI
- Abstract: I will discuss recent theoretical progress in understanding the role played by the electron-electron interactions in orbital magnetism, and highlight results obtained for the flat bands of the magic angle twisted bilayer graphene, as well as for some twisted transition metal dichalcogenides. I will also discuss the effect of the external out-of-plane magnetic field on the correlated ground states and their excitations, and compare the ensuing Landau level degeneracies with the experimental observations.
- Host: Alex Levchenko
- Astronomy Colloquium
- Unlocking Planetary Potential Through Studying Formation Environments
- Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Place: 4421 Sterling Hall
- Speaker: Prof. Ilse Cleeves, University of Virginia
- Abstract: The last decade of ALMA observations has transformed our view of planet-forming environments in all respects. High-resolution images have revealed a diverse array of structured belts of millimeter-sized dust and a variety of distinct molecular compositions both within disks and between different disk systems. How does this diversity translate into the initial conditions for planet formation and the compositions (gaseous and solid) that planets receive? Do planets acquire water and organic material during formation, or later from volatile-rich cometary reservoirs? I will present recent work including ongoing efforts from the ALMA "Disk-Exoplanet C/Onnection" Large Program, highlighting how observations and models have radically shifted our picture of the chemical and physical environment of planet formation in recent years and how multiwavelength campaigns, including with JWST, can help us identify patterns in the apparent variety of protoplanetary environments. I will conclude with a look forward to bridging the mid-IR and sub-millimeter gap with powerful tracers of planetary composition enabled by upcoming far-IR missions.
- Host: Coco Zhang