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Calendar of Physics Talks Vienna
| Extreme fluids: From field theory to hydrodynamics and back |
| Speaker: | Pavel Kovtun (Victoria University) |
| Abstract: | Hydrodynamics is a well-established field with a venerable history. In this talk, I will focus on foundational questions in hydrodynamics which one has to understand in order to describe matter at very high temperature and very high density. Do the equations of hydrodynamics even make sense? To what degree can the crudeness of hydrodynamics be improved? What about the phenomena that hydrodynamics should describe but fails to? And why is hydrodynamics secretly a field theory? [Job interview talk] |
| Date: | Mon, 24.02.2025 |
| Time: | 09:00 |
| Duration: | 75 min |
| Location: | Fachgruppenraum of the Faculty of Physics, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8, Freihaus, yellow area, 1st floor, opposite the Mensa |
| Contact: | Daniel Grumiller |
| Infinite symmetries, black holes and holography: new pathways to quantum gravity |
| Speaker: | Laura Donnay (SISSA Trieste) |
| Abstract: | Spectacular progress in uncovering the enigmatic quantum nature of gravity and black holes has been achieved thanks to the holographic principle, which posits that quantum gravity is encoded in a theory living at the boundary of spacetime. However, concrete realizations of this principle have so far been restricted to spacetimes with a negative cosmological constant. In this talk, I will present novel symmetry-based approaches that extend the holographic principle beyond its traditional setting, bringing us closer than ever to a holographic description of quantum gravity in realistic spacetimes, including those hosting black
holes such as the ones we observe in the sky. [Job interview talk] |
| Date: | Tue, 25.02.2025 |
| Time: | 09:00 |
| Duration: | 75 min |
| Location: | Fachgruppenraum of the Faculty of Physics, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8, Freihaus, yellow area, 1st floor, opposite the Mensa |
| Contact: | Daniel Grumiller |
| Transforming Particle Physics with Machine Learning |
| Speaker: | Tilman Plehn (ITP Heidelberg) |
| Abstract: | LHC as one of the most data-intensive scientific endeavors provides the perfect link between fundamental physics research and modern data science. As machine learning is transforming our lives, literally, no aspect of LHC physics is left untouched. This starts with identifying data for classic or optimal analyses and extends to anomaly searches and powerful simulations based on perturbative quantum field theory. I will give a few examples for the transformative power of modern machine learning in particle physics, show how our understanding of uncertainties adds new flavors to machine learning, and explain how generative neural networks allow us to realize our dream of making LHC data available to a broad scientific community. |
| Date: | Tue, 25.02.2025 |
| Time: | 11:00 |
| Duration: | 60 min |
| Location: | PSK (Postsparkasse) meeting rooms 3A 1/2 (in the 3rd floor) |
| Contact: | Claudius Krause (HEPHY) |
| Speaker: | Paul Romatschke (Colorado University) |
| Abstract: | The discovery of the Higgs Boson in high energy physics and Parity-Time reversal symmetry in quantum mechanics feature among the most important physics discoveries of the 21st century. In this talk, I will argue that the two are in fact linked, which leads to surprising predictions for the Standard Model of Particle Physics. [Job interview talk] |
| Date: | Wed, 26.02.2025 |
| Time: | 09:00 |
| Duration: | 75 min |
| Location: | Fachgruppenraum of the Faculty of Physics, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8, Freihaus, yellow area, 1st floor, opposite the Mensa |
| Contact: | Daniel Grumiller |
| Finding exact results in quantum field theory and string theory |
| Speaker: | Alessandro Sfondrini (Padua University) |
| Abstract: | Much of our physical insight relies on understanding in full detail some key models which are simple enough to be solved, but rich enough to be interesting - like the Kepler problem, the Lenz-Ising model, or the hydrogen atom. The key to solving such models is discovering and exploiting their symmetries. In this talk I will explain how this strategy can be applied to certain quantum field theories in two spacetime dimensions, and in some cases even to string theory. Finally, I will discuss the obstacles in generalising this approach to higher-dimensional QFTs, and propose a way to overcome them. [Job interview talk] |
| Date: | Thu, 27.02.2025 |
| Time: | 09:00 |
| Duration: | 75 min |
| Location: | Fachgruppenraum of the Faculty of Physics, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8, Freihaus, yellow area, 1st floor, opposite the Mensa |
| Contact: | Daniel Grumiller |
| Transient and hydrodynamic excitations on top of prescaling nonthermal fixed points. |
| Speaker: | Michal P. Heller (Ghent University) |
| Abstract: | Nonthermal fixed points are far from equilibrium processes associated with temporal self-similarity. They are of broad theoretical and experimental relevance ranging from ultrahot cosmological or nuclear matter to ultracold atoms. I will discuss three recent advances in our understanding of nonthermal fixed points: 1) experimentally confirmed theory of prescaling extending applicability of nonthermal fixed points to much earlier than thought before times [2307.07545 with Mazeliauskas and Preis]; 2) explanation of nonthermal fixed points attractive nature in terms of the associated quasinormal mode spectrum [2502.01622 with De Lescluze]; 3) introducing far from equilibrium hydrodynamics of nonthermal fixed points, which extends their applicability to spatially inhomogeneous situations and associates with them transport properties such as the shear viscosity [work in progress with Berges, |
| Date: | Thu, 27.02.2025 |
| Time: | 11:00 |
| Duration: | 45 min |
| Location: | Helmut Rauch Hörsaal ATI |
| Contact: | Maximilian Prüfer |
| Novel time-dependent phenomena in quantum field theory, cold atomic gases, and gravity |
| Speaker: | Michal P. Heller (Gent University) |
| Abstract: | Understanding time-dependent phenomena in the quantum realm is one of the most important challenges for contemporary theoretical physics. It is directly motivated by experimental programs probing isolated quantum systems from cold atomic gases, including experiments at the Atominstitut, to quark-gluon plasma at RHIC and LHC, as well as by foundational questions about quantum gravity. In my talk I will show how insights from gauge-gravity duality, quantum-many body physics, quantum information processing and mathematical physics have led me to propose novel time-dependent phenomena, discover new structures underlying nonequilibrium processes in quantum field theory, and study time-centric probes of holographic black holes. Finally, I will sketch what the future of the field of nonequilibrium fundamental physics may hold by discussing some exciting possibilities ... [Job interview talk] |
| Date: | Fri, 28.02.2025 |
| Time: | 09:00 |
| Duration: | 75 min |
| Location: | Fachgruppenraum of the Faculty of Physics, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8, Freihaus, yellow area, 1st floor, opposite the Mensa |
| Contact: | Daniel Grumiller |
| One-way States and Topology in Driven Nonlinear Mechanical Resonators |
| Speaker: | Javier del Pino (University of Konstanz) |
| Abstract: | In this talk, I will explore both the theoretical and experimental opportunities that mechanical resonators provide for engineering one-way (nonreciprocal) and topological states. I will show how to create artificial magnetic fields in mechanical resonators using radiation pressure. Modulating the optical density in an optomechanical nanocavity unlocks Aharonov-Bohm interference, signaling the breakdown of time-reversal symmetry akin to electrons in a magnetic field. Next, I will show how parametric pumping, which squeezes mechanical fluctuations, allows a non-Hermitian counterpart to the Aharonov-Bohm effect, enabling precise control of symmetries, spectral degeneracies (e.g. exceptional points), and chiral (one-way) amplification. Furthermore, I will cover how interfering two-mode squeezing and hopping interactions enable nonreciprocal transport without breaking time-reversal symmetry. |
| Date: | Fri, 28.02.2025 |
| Time: | 10:00 |
| Duration: | 45 min |
| Location: | IQOQI Seminar room, 2nd floor, Boltzmanngasse 3 |
| Contact: | Uros Delic (uros.delic@tuwien.ac.at) |
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