.Atomic, Molecular, & Optical Events
Fall 2023
Controlling the optical properties of matter by using Metasurfaces
Speaker: Euclydes Marega Junior (University of Sao Paulo)
Metasurfaces have emerged as a remarkable platform for finely controlling light-matter interactions at the quantum level. Composed of subwavelength nanostructures, these engineered surfaces empower precise manipulation of quantum emitters' behavior by effectively modulating incident light's phase, polarization, and intensity. This unparalleled degree of control allows for tailoring resonant modes, dispersion [...]
Krypton Fluoride (248 nm) as the Laser Driver for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE)
Speaker: J. Gary Eden (University of Illinois)
The recent report of scientific breakeven at the National Ignition Facility (NIF, Livermore, CA) demonstrates the viability of Laser Fusion Energy (LFE) for commercial power production. This long-awaited breakthrough has prompted a re-evaluation of the optimal laser driver for LFE and associated target design. This presentation will review the unique [...]Low temperature deposition of oxide films driven by VUV/deep-UV radiation or arrays of microplasmas, and photolithography at 172 nm
Speaker: J. Gary Eden (University of Illinois)
Thin film deposition processes such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are generally regulated by the temperature of a substrate. That is, the decomposition of the molecular reactants (precursors) proceeds at thermal equilibrium, and the gas phase and surface chemistry rates are governed by the Arrhenius [...]
Gravitational Quantum Eraser
Speaker: Yusef Maleki (IQSE, Texas A&M University)
The quest for a quantum mechanical description of gravity stands as a central pursuit in modern physics, holding the promise of unlocking answers to profound unresolved mysteries in the field. Any ultimate theory seeking to reconcile gravity with quantum physics must embrace fundamental quantum features like the uncertainty principle, quantum [...]
A novel non-destructive tool for estimating amino acid composition of proteins in solution
Speaker: Narangerel Altangerel (IQSE, Texas A&M University)
In a recent paper [1] we used Raman microscopy to probe the interaction between the COVID spike protein and the IGg antibody. In the present study we apply a similar technique to determine amino-acid protein composition which plays an important role in biology, medicine, and nutrition; however, methods for characterizing [...]
Understanding Schwarzschild
Speaker: William G. Unruh (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research; University of British Columbia; Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University)
Since Schwarzschild, in 1915/1916, discovered the metric that bears his name in the mathematics of Einstein's brand new theory, confusion reigned in understanding the Schwarzscild "singularity" at r=2GM/c^2. Was this some sort of matter shell? Was this a breakdown of the theory? This talk will be a historical tour of [...]
Squeezed states of light and their application in gravitational wave detectors
Speaker: Moritz Mehmet (Texas A&M University)
Almost 40 years after squeezed vacuum states of light were proposed to improve the sensitivity of interferometric gravitational wave (GW) detectors, both the Advanced Virgo detector and the Advanced LIGO detectors have been operating with a quantum enhanced sensitivity during their third joint observation run O3 from April 2019 to [...]