Events During the Week of September 8th through September 15th, 2024
Monday, September 9th, 2024
- Climate & Diversity
- Climate and Diversity Committee Open Hours
- Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Place: 5310
- Abstract: Open Hours are welcome for everyone in the department! During these sessions, we have the option to discuss the topic listed, that is not required or necessary for attending. Article Discussion: Advancing Women of Color in STEM: An Imperative for U.S. Global Competitiveness
- Host: Rachel Zizmann
- Climate & Diversity
- Climate and Diversity Committee Open Hours
- Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Place: 5310
- Speaker: Rachel Zizmann, UW-Madison Physics
- Abstract: Open Hours are welcome for everyone in the department! During these sessions, we have the option to discuss the topic listed, that is not required or necessary for attending. Article Discussion: Advancing Women of Color in STEM: An Imperative for U.S. Global Competitiveness
- Host: Rachel Zizmann
- Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminar
- First plasma experiments in WHAM
- Time: 12:05 pm - 1:00 pm
- Place: 1610 Engineering Hall
- Speaker: Dmitry Yakovlev, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Abstract: In this talk, I will provide a brief introduction to the Wisconsin Axisymmetric HTS Mirror (WHAM), a groundbreaking magnetic confinement experiment recently constructed and launched at UW-Madison. This experiment features record-breaking 17 Tesla superconducting mirror magnets and a variety of plasma heating systems, achieving a total heating power density of up to 50 MW/m³. This unique combination of parameters enables a wide range of mirror confinement studies that were not possible previously.
I will discuss the unique engineering solutions implemented in the machine’s design, along with insights gained from its assembly and initial operation. Drawing from my experience with large mirror experiments, I will highlight critical research topics that could advance us toward practical fusion applications.
During the first experimental campaigns, WHAM achieved a successful ECR breakdown, consistently producing plasma at power levels as low as 10 kW of 110 GHz microwave radiation, and with densities exceeding 1019 m-3. Several observed effects, such as density saturation and dependency on prefill pressure, align well with published data, while others – much higher diamagnetic flux (0.4 mWb), hot electrons with confinement time of ~ 1 s and indications of intense MHD activity during ECH are reported for the first time. Initial experiments with 22 keV deuterium neutral beam injection demonstrated beam attenuation of > 50%, although the fast ion confinement time is currently limited by high charge-exchange losses.
I will cover these findings and outline near-term experimental plans aimed at advancing the experiment’s scientific goals. - Host: Cary Forest
Tuesday, September 10th, 2024
- Council Meeting
- Physics Council Meeting
- Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Place: 2314 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Kevin Black, UW - Madison
- Host: Kevin Black
- Physics Education Innovation Seminar
- Implementing Structured Inquiry Labs and Researching Equity of Group Dynamics at UT Austin
- Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Place: B343 Sterling Hall
- Speaker: Andrew Loveridge, The University of Texas at Austin
- Abstract: Zoom Meeting ID: 302 365 8376
Research on introductory physics lab courses shows that traditional “cookbook-style verification” labs often fail to achieve their intended learning outcomes. To address this, various alternative approaches have been developed. In this talk, I’ll discuss how we implemented the Structured Quantitative Inquiry (SQI) framework at UT Austin in the context of lab courses which serve a large and diverse student population. I will highlight both successes and areas needing improvement. I’ll also share our ongoing research on how best to scaffold equitable group dynamics in inquiry-based and active learning environments. This is particularly relevant for UT’s lab courses, since prior work suggests that while the SQI framework is more effective than traditional labs for student’s overall learning, it can inadvertently open the door to new inequities absent proactive efforts by instructors to anticipate and remediate them.
Reference:
Speaker Bio:
Andrew Loveridge received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 2018. While at UW, in addition to his dissertation on aspects of Gauge/Gravity Duality, he was involved in a variety of efforts to redesign high enrollment courses to incorporate active learning (the REACH program). Now he is an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin, where he has led a major redesign of the introductory lab courses to incorporate evidence based teaching practices and is actively involved in Physics Education Research.
- Host: Ben Spike, Josh Weber
- Wisconsin Quantum Institute
- Quantum Coffee Hour
- Time: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Place: Rm.5294, Chamberlin Hall
- Abstract: Please join us for the WQI Quantum Coffee today at 3PM in the Physics Faculty Lounge (Rm.5294 in Chamberlin Hall). This series, which takes place approximately every other Tuesday, aims to foster a casual and collaborative atmosphere where faculty, post-docs, students, and anyone with an interest in quantum information sciences can come together. There will be coffee and treats.
- Worlds in the Making: Origins of Stars, Planets, and Life
- How Can We Find Other Life in the Universe?
- Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Place: Space Place
- Speaker: Thomas Beatty, UW-Madison
- Abstract: A series of talks by UW-Madison scientists from the Wisconsin Center for Origins Research (WiCOR), hosted by UW Space Place.
- Host: Jim Lattis
Wednesday, September 11th, 2024
- Department Meeting
- Time: 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
- Place: B343 Sterling Hall -
- Speaker: Kevin Black, UW-Madison
- Host: Kevin Black
Thursday, September 12th, 2024
- R. G. Herb Condensed Matter Seminar
- Measurement-induced criticality
- Time: 10:00 am
- Place: 5310 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Romain Vasseur, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- Abstract: While many-body quantum physics has traditionally focused on the properties of cold matter in thermal equilibrium, emerging noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) platforms allow access to far-from-equilibrium dynamics with local space and time control over interactions. In this new era of “interactive quantum dynamics”, a key challenge is to identify universal features of non-equilibrium quantum dynamics, transport and many-body entanglement. In this talk, I will discuss new types of non-equilibrium quantum phases of matter and phase transitions, with an emphasis on emergent classical statistical mechanics descriptions of quantum entanglement dynamics. In particular, I will focus on the recently discovered “entanglement phase transitions” that occur in monitored quantum systems, and separate phases characterized by the amount of quantum information that can be extracted from measurements. I will also highlight emerging connections between quantum entanglement, quantum communication theory and classical statistical physics.
- Host: Alex Levchenko
- Astronomy Colloquium
- Colloquium Show and Tell
- Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Place: 4421 Sterling Hall
- Abstract: The first two colloquia on September 5th and September 12th will be our annual department orientation (also known as the "show and tell"). During these sessions, everyone will have 1.5 minutes to introduce themselves and provide a brief overview of their work. This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to get to know each other better and learn about the diverse research happening within our department.
- Host: Melinda Soares-Furtado
Friday, September 13th, 2024
- Graduate Program Event
- PGSC Headshot Event
- Time: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
- Place: Botany Garden
- Abstract: As a new academic year starts, it's a good idea to update your directory profile and picture. To help with this, PGSC is sponsoring a FREE event at which a photographer will be taking professional headshots for physics grad students!
The photographer will be in the botanical gardens right next door to Chamberlin from 12:30pm to 3:30pm on Friday, September 13th (very auspicious). In the event of bad weather, we will have September 20th as a backup date, or move indoors as needed.
This is a great way to get a professional picture to use for your directory listing, posters for conferences, a LinkedIn profile, or otherwise! No pre-registration or sign-up is required; just show up during the window (and wait your turn). And as mentioned before, it's completely free for physics grad students, courtesy of PGSC.
If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to reach out to PGSC Professional Development Chair Sam Kramer (shkramer@wisc.edu).
- Host: PGSC - Sam Kramer, Prof Development Chair
- Black and Brown in Physics
- BBiP First General Meeting
- Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Place: Sterling B343
- Abstract: We would like to invite you to our first General Meeting of the semester! During the meeting, we plan to introduce the BBiP executive members for the academic year, discuss our goals and motivations, share some of our upcoming events/plans, and start a discussion on what it is like being black and brown in physics. Depending on time constraints, we might even play a Kahoot! There will be free donuts on a first come first serve basis! We hope to see some of you there!
- Physics Department Colloquium
- TBD
- Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Place: Chamberlin 2241
- Host: Daniel Heimsoth
