Events
Events at Physics |
Events During the Week of December 6th through December 13th, 2026
Monday, December 7th, 2026
- Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminar
- Title to be announced
- Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Place: 2241 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Ben Zhu, Columbia University
- Host: Rogerio Jorge
Tuesday, December 8th, 2026
- Thesis Defense
- Rydberg Interactions for Dual Species Neutral Atom Quantum Processors
- Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Place: Chamberlin 5280
- Speaker: Sam Norrell
- Abstract: Neutral atom quantum processors using Rydberg interactions have seen tremendous development in recent years. Despite impressive progress, there are still many technical challenges and open questions that remain before utility-scale quantum computation is achieved. This thesis explores one of the fundamental building blocks of such quantum processors: Rydberg-Rydberg atom interactions. These interactions afford entanglement and connectivity for most neutral atom quantum computers, yet are often approximated and calculated asymptotically. In this thesis, we investigate how subtleties in these interactions affects quantum entangling gate fidelity.
Additionally contained in this thesis are details on the design and construction of the Rubidium-Cesium Atomic Qubit Array (RC-AQuA) experiment. This apparatus is designed to be a continuously reloading, error correcting, dual species quantum processor. Further, the experiment is engineered to excite Rydberg $np_{3/2}$ states in both rubidium and cesium, whose interactions are considerably less-studied than single-species $ns$ or $nd$ levels. In this thesis, we comprehensively study interactions between $np_{3/2}$ states, providing a pathway towards error-corrected computation with RC-AQuA. - Host: Mark Saffman
Wednesday, December 9th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Last Class Day
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu
Thursday, December 10th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Study Day
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu
- R. G. Herb Condensed Matter Seminar
- Title to be announced
- Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
- Place: 5310 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Justyna Zwolak , NIST, Gaithersburg, MD
- Host: Mark Friesen
- Astronomy Colloquium
- The Early Evolution of Exoplanetary Systems
- Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Place: 4421 Sterling Hall
- Speaker: Adina Feinstein, Michigan State University
- Abstract: Within the past decade, we have discovered only a dozen young (< 300 Myr) short-period exoplanets, compared to the ~6,000 mature systems. The radii of these young planets are larger than older planets on similar orbital periods. The leading hypothesis is that these young planets have inflated atmospheres because they are still contracting. Inflated atmospheres are more susceptible to photoevaporation — atmospheric removal driven by X-ray and ultraviolet (XUV) stellar irradiation. These effects are intensified in the earliest stages of planetary evolution, when young stars are more active and produce extreme XUV radiation on a variety of timescales. Even though it is challenging to study exoplanets around active stars, observational constraints of these targets provide crucial insights into our understanding of exoplanet formation and evolution. In this talk, I will present early results of the characterization of eight young short-period exoplanets and observed with JWST. I will present trends we have uncovered in atmospheric composition as a function of age and highlight our search for ongoing atmospheric escape. Beyond the planets, I will present what we have been able to learn about the young host stars with these new high-precision observations. Understanding these properties is essential not only for correcting transmission spectra but for defining the environments that shape the fate of the exoplanet population we see today.
- Host: Juliette Becker
Friday, December 11th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Exams Begin
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu
Saturday, December 12th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Exams
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu
Sunday, December 13th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Commencement
- Time: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Abstract: CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu URL: