The Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) and Condensed Matter (CM) physics groups are hosting a joint seminar as part of the Center for Quantum Research and Technology (CQRT). This endowed seminar series brings in experts from across the country as well as across campus to discuss the latest in research advances in quantum science.
Seminars are scheduled for 2:00-3:00 pm on Tuesdays and/or Fridays, and are held in-person in Lin Hall 105, depending upon speaker availability and preference. Please check this web page or the email announcements for the current week's talks.
To get on the seminar mailing list, please contact the seminar organizers, Prof. Kieran Mullen.
Title: "Finger" states, “butterfly" molecules, and “fishbone” structures: updates in the study of the littlest giant molecules
Matt Eiles, Purdue University
Friday, September 11th, 2026
2:00-3:00pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: The study of long-range Rydberg molecules, which are created out of a Rydberg atom and one or more additional particles (ground-state atoms, ions, or even small molecules), has reached maturity following a string of highly successful experiments in which all of the major types of molecules predicted by theorists over a quarter century ago have been observed. Now, with the major ingredients of the theory confirmed, attention has turned to the subtler details of these molecular interactions and to potential applications for these molecules. In this talk, I will share some of what we have been working on, largely in collaboration with experimental groups, to explore this physics. Time permitting, I will show (a) how Yb Rydberg molecules were used to obtain conclusive evidence that the Yb negative ion exists only as a shape resonance, (b) how incredibly fragile Rydberg molecule states with $\Pi$ orbital symmetry could be measured in very low-lying Rydberg states, and (c) how Rydberg-ion molecules can be used to explore Stückelberg interference in predissociation on extreme length and time scales.
Title: Quantum Codes in the Lee Metric
Andrew Lucas, UC Boulder
Friday, September 25th, 2026
2:00-3:00pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: I will discuss ongoing work on designing quantum codes for q-dimensional qudits (with q>2), focusing on an error model where the errors are small “clock and shift” errors (which generalize the standard notion of Pauli X and Z). These quantum codes can have very different physical and mathematical properties compared to conventional codes made out of qubits, when q is large. For example, classical codes can exhibit spontaneous symmetry breaking and thermal order in local one-dimensional models, when q is allowed to grow with the system size, even when the “parity checks” needed to measure the code are small; this has interesting potential implications for fault-tolerance with high-thresholds. Unfortunately, no-go theorems suggest that such constructions cannot be found for quantum codes (in any dimension), because quantum codes can be extremely robust to one type of X/Z error, but not the other. I will suggest some theoretical (but probably not practical) ways around such no-go theorems.
Title: Many-Body Chemistry: Phase Coherence and Entanglement in Matter-Wave Reactions
Cheng Chin, University of Chicago
Monday, September 28th, 2026 (Note Special Day and Time!)
3:30-4:30pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: Chemical reactions are ordinarily viewed as incoherent processes governed by statistical ensembles and thermodynamics. When atoms and molecules become quantum degenerate, however, they can form coherent matter waves, opening a fundamentally different regime of chemistry in which reactions become coherent nonlinear processes. In this regime, the matter-wave fields of reactants and products are expected to exhibit phase matching, closely analogous to nonlinear optical frequency conversion.
Here we observe phase-coherent reaction dynamics between Bose-condensed atoms and molecules near a Feshbach resonance. Using matter-wave diffraction in optical lattices, we directly probe the spatial coherence of both atomic and molecular condensates. We observe phase doubling when two atomic matter waves combine to form a molecular wave: the matter-wave analogue of optical frequency doubling. Remarkably, the diffraction patterns also reveal two-atom entanglement generated by the reaction.
Title: TBA
Jonathan Hood, Purdue University
Tuesday, November 17th, 2026
2:00-3:00pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: TBA
Title: Fundamental constants in physics and chemistry
Eite Tiesinga, NIST
Tuesday, October 13th, 2026
2:00-3:00pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: I will describe how NIST helps with recommending values of fundamental constants in physics and chemistry under the auspices of the Committee on Data of the International Science Council (CODATA). Although what constitutes a fundamental constant is up for debate, natural examples are Newton's gravitational constant, the Planck constant, the Hartree energy in atomic physics, and masses of charged leptons as well as "light" nuclei. Surprising perhaps is that we also keep track of the best values for the lattice constants of a natural silicon crystal.
The recommended values can be found at physics.nist.gov/constants. The accuracy of the constants ranges from five to twelve significant digits. The Newton's gravitational constant is one of the least-well known of our constants and persistently resists significant improvement. On the other hand, the Hartree energy is now known to twelve digits and has been improving at an exponential rate over hundred years.
I will also introduce some of the experimental tools that are being used for obtaining the constants. These tools range from torsion balances for measuring Newton's gravitational constant, traps for electrons, muons, and charged atoms for the measurement of magnetic moments and masses to laser-cooled neutral atoms for the determination of the fine structure constant. Equally important is the theoretical description of some of the "simpler" quantities, such as the magnetic moment of the electron and transition energies in the hydrogen atom.
Title: TBA
Fiona Burnell, University of Minnesota
Friday, October 23rd, 2026
2:00-3:00pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: TBA
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Jusitn Wilson, Louisiana State University
Tuesday, October 24th, 2026
2:00-3:00pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: TBA
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Marcel Davanco, NIST Maryland
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026
2:00-3:00pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: TBA
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Michael Kolodrubetz, Univ. of Texas, Dallas
Tuesday, November 10th, 2026
2:00-3:00pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: TBA
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Aaron Danner, NUS Singapore
Tuesday, December 1st, 2026
2:00-3:00pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: TBA
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Omar Magana-Loaiza, Louisiana State University
Tuesday, December 8th, 2026
2:00-3:00pm, 105 Lin Hall
Abstract: TBA
