Seminars and Colloquia, July through December, 2008

• This Week's schedule.
• Earlier Semesters.
• Typical Week's schedule.
• July 7-11, 2008's schedule.
• July 14-18, 2008's schedule.
• July 21-25, 2008's schedule.
• July 28-August 1, 2008's schedule.
• August 4-8, 2008's schedule.
• August 11-15, 2008's schedule.
• August 18-22, 2008's schedule.
• August 25-29, 2008's schedule.
• September 1-5, 2008's schedule.
• September 8-12, 2008's schedule.
• September 15-19, 2008's schedule.
• September 22-26, 2008's schedule.
• September 29-October 3, 2008's schedule.
• October 6-10, 2008's schedule.
• October 13-17, 2008's schedule.
• October 20-24, 2008's schedule.
• October 27-31, 2008's schedule.
• November 3-7, 2008's schedule.
• November 10-14, 2008's schedule.
• November 17-21, 2008's schedule.
• November 24-28, 2008's schedule.
• December 1-5, 2008's schedule.
• December 8-12, 2008's schedule.
• December 15-19, 2008's schedule.
• December 22-26, 2008's schedule.
• December 29-31, 2008's schedule.

Seminars and Colloquia, Typical Week:

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Journal Club on Statistical Mechanics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Optics (Informal):

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, July 7-11, 2008

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, July 14-18, 2008

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, July 21-25, 2008

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, July 28-August 1, 2008

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, August 4-8, 2008

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, August 11-15, 2008

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, August 18-22, 2008

First Week of Classes
No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, August 25-29, 2008

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

Saturated hydrocarbon polymers, e.g. polyolefins, represent a limit in structural simplicity for macromolecules and therefore define an important boundary for understanding macromolecular thermodynamics. From an economic perspective, polyolefins are arguably the most valuable of all macromolecules. The ability to predict, and in some cases, even define, intimate chain mixing and miscibility in polyolefins became an important goal during the late 1990’s with the advent of metallocene polymerization catalysis. In this seminar, recent results from advanced magnetic resonance experiments that clarify long-standing questions about polymer miscibility will be discussed. Specifically, direct experimental inspection of individual polymer chains in the solid (bulk) state before and after formation of miscible versus immiscible polyolefin blends indicates that configurational entropy is the operative thermodynamic driving force for miscibility in the few miscible polyolefin blend systems identified to date. Our group first proposed this mechanism several years ago, in contrast to the conventional enthalpic models previously espoused. Key experimental developments that facilitated direct chain inspection will be detailed, as well as implications for predicting miscible polyolefin pairs in future new materials. The connections between macromolecular dynamics and thermodynamics derived from our experimental results are relevant to many current discussions in the literature involving miscible blend dynamics (e.g., the Lodge-McLeish model).

Note: The traditional student-speaker chat will begin in Physical Sciences Room 147 at 3:00 PM. All students are welcome! Refreshments will be served.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, September 1-5, 2008

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Journal Club on Statistical Mechanics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Optics (Informal):

Abstract:

We develop a theoretical model to study the Intensity-Intensity correlation of polarization entangled photons emitted in a biexciton-exciton cascade. We calculate the degree of correlation and show how polarization correlation are affected by the presence of  dephasing and energy level splitting of the excitonic states. Our theoretical calculations are in agreement with the recent observation of polarization dependent Intensity-Intensity correlations from a single semiconductor quantum dot [R. M. Stevenson et al., Nature 439, 179 (2006)]. Our model can be extended to study polarization entangled photon emission in coupled quantum dot systems.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, September 8-12, 2008

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

In this talk I will outline our work on novel materials for radiation imaging and detection: transparent glass ceramic storage phosphors for X-ray and neutron imaging, and transparent ceramic scintillators for X-ray detection. I will first present some background to introduce these topics to a non-specialist audience.  In the past two decades, a number of new technologies have been developed to supplant the century-old phosphor/photographic film technique familiar from A&E rooms and dental chambers. Foremost amongst these in terms of market uptake is the storage phosphor method, but it suffers from poor spatial resolution which makes it less suitable for mammography, for example, compared to the older method. The problem has its root in the image read-out technique, which involves a scanned laser beam, with light scattering from the powdered phosphor material blurring the image. Here I describe our work on transparent glass ceramic storage phosphors, which are designed to overcome this problem. The question of the relative merits of a strongly scattering storage phosphor versus a transparent one has been somewhat controversial, and here I present light scattering simulation results, which address this question. Optical transparency is also a key attribute of scintillator materials since they work as X-ray to visible photon converters, and this has generally precluded using cheap ceramic materials as scintillators in favour of expensive single crystals. We have developed transparent ceramic scintillators based on cubic-structure materials, and here I discuss how we have forced barium chloride into a room-temperature stable cubic phase and with cerium doping produced an efficient translucent scintillator. If time permits, I will also briefly describe our work on new TSL dosimeter materials.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, September 15-19, 2008

Journal Club on Statistical Mechanics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Optics (Informal):

Abstract:

The observation of Feshbach resonances has been one of the most important developments in cold atom physics since the realization of Bose-Einstein condensation in a dilute atomic gas. These resonances have provided an additional tool for experimentalists that can enable the creation of novel systems which were once only abstract possibilities. In this talk I will discuss the underlying processes of Feshbach resonances as well as how they may be realized in the lab. I will also give details of work currently underway in this field at OSU.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, September 22-26, 2008

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

The Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) technique has now been used for more than a decade for monitoring radiation exposure of workers. The technique currently used in personal dosimetry (Pulsed Optically Stimulated Luminescence or POSL), invented at OSU by a well-known team of researchers, was licensed by Landauer Inc. and further developed into a dosimetry system which is now adopted by 1.5 million users worldwide. The technique’s commercial success and technical advantages have motivated its application beyond personal dosimetry, in applications ranging from dosimetry of astronauts and microbiology experiments in space, to quality control and dose verification in radiotherapy and radiodiagnostics. However, there are still several limitations hampering a wider adoption and acceptance, among others the lack of neutron sensitivity and establishment of best practices.

This presentation will offer a brief introduction to the OSL technique and an overview of our efforts and accomplishments at the OSU Radiation Dosimetry Laboratory in the last four years. The introduction will discuss basic aspects, relevance and limitations of the technique. We will then present an overview of our research, which has been focused in addressing the limitations of the OSL technique and expanding its applicability particularly to the areas of neutron, space, and medical dosimetry. We will also discuss results of a collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory on the search and development of new materials for OSL dosimetry and radiation detection.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, September 29-October 3, 2008

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

Some quantum computing algorithms can be orders of magnitude faster than the fastest classical algorithms. The talk will take a look at quantum computing to see what we can expect from it in the near future. The prospects for building efficient quantum gates and implementation of quantum algorithms will be examined.

Journal Club on Statistical Mechanics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Optics (Informal):

Abstract:

It is shown that an optical parametric amplifier inside a cavity can considerably improve the cooling of the micromechanical mirror by radiation pressure. The micromechanical mirror can be cooled from room temperature 300K to sub-Kelvin temperatures, which is much lower than what is achievable in the absence of the parametric amplifier. Our work demonstrates the fundamental dependence of radiation pressure effects on photon statistics.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, October 6-10, 2008

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Fall Break: Friday, October 10, 2008

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, October 13-17, 2008

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

Elementary quantum mechanics tells us that the electron has a magnetic dipole moment proportional to its spin angular momentum. It is also believed that the electron possesses an electric dipole moment proportional to its spin angular momentum. The magnitude of this electric dipole would set a size scale on the electron. Limits on the electron electric-dipole moment (e-edm) help distinguish between fundamental theories such as Super Symmetry and the Standard Model, could help explain why the Universe favors matter over anti-matter, and could help solve the mystery of the missing mass. In this talk, advances made at the University of Oklahoma that will allow us to place new limits on the e-edm are discussed.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, October 20-24, 2008

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, October 27-31, 2008

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

The human side of doing theoretical physics is explored through stories about the interactions between physicists and about the way world events can affect not only the scientists' behavior, but even their scientific interests and style. These stories cluster nicely around certain bigger themes to create an overarching whole. This happens both on account of some interesting narrative structures intrinsic to the science of Physics itself and on account of the way Physics integrates into the general culture. The stories concer Einstein, Schrödinger, Pauli, Heisenberg, Stueckelberg, Jordan and Fock and also involve some mathematicians like Emmy Noether, Teichmüller and Bers and even the psychologist C.G. Jung.

Journal Club on Statistical Mechanics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Optics (Informal):

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, November 3-7, 2008

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

The conceptual structures discovered in condensed matter systems sometimes provide a key ingredient for important problems in other areas in physics, spontaneous symmetry breaking in magnets and the Anderson-Higgs mechanism in superconductors being two prominent examples. The fractional Hall quantum liquid constitutes a new paradigm in physics where collective behavior occurs without BEC. In this talk I will discuss the general principles learned from the composite fermion theory of the fractional quantum Hall effect that may possibly carry over to other fields. These include: topological quantum order, mass generation, dynamical generation of a gauge potential, charge fractionalization, resolution of a degeneracy problem, and realization of the Chern-Simons field theory. For completeness, I will also recount the chain of events that inspired the composite fermion theory, and the experimental tests that led to its confirmation.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, November 10-14, 2008

Society of Physics Students Meeting:

Dr. Nandi will present an informal lecture and discussion of General Relativity and Particle Physics.

Note: Cookies and coffee will be served at 4:30 PM.

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Abstract:

The Fermi scale around 250 GeV and the Planck scale around 2.×10¹⁸ GeV are vastly different mass scales which appear in particle physics. Supersymmetry presents a framework for accommodating such scales in a natural fashion. We will discuss the prospects for the discovery of supersymmetry at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in the context of high scale models and explore means by which the signature space can be used to discriminate among models. The possibility of decoding the origin of dark matter in the early universe with LHC data will be discussed. Finally, we will discuss an out of the box possibility of a fourth generation which is a mirror generation rather than a sequential generation and then discuss its unique signatures in neutrino physics and its signatures at the LHC.

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

The hidden sector, which is defined as a sector which is neutral under the standard model (SM) gauge group, has played an increasingly important role since its inception in the formulation of supergravity grand unification. Hidden sectors appear quite naturally in the context of string theory and in brane theories. More recently the hidden sector was utilized in the so called Stueckelberg extension of the standard model. We will discuss constraints on the hidden sector from electroweak physics and its probe at the Large Hadron Collider. We will also give an explanation, using the hidden sector, of the positron excess seen in the just released data from the PAMELA satellite experiment which probes anti-matter in the cosmic rays.

College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology Seminar:

Abstract:

A recent resurgence of interest in thermoelectric energy generation can be traced to two contributing factors; a growing need for alternative energy and unprecedented breakthroughs in the conversion efficiency of materials within the temperature range of many waste heat sources. As we learn more about the nature of heat propagation through solids and the relationship between thermal and electrical transfer, we are discovering new ways to separate these effects, through nanostructuring and band structure engineering, to develop novel materials that may play a significant role in tomorrow’s energy needs. However, one of the pervasive limitations in characterizing these novel materials is that the essential features are generally too small to be imaged by a scanning electron microscope or to appear in conventional x-ray diffraction patterns. Even transmission electron microscopy is not without its limitations. Because of these limitations, a more robust technique for determining the presence and extent of nanostructural features in solids is under development. This seminar will conclude with a brief discussion of how solid state nuclear magnetic resonance is proving to be a new paradigm in materials characterization.

Refreshments at 2:30 p.m. in the ATRC Vogt Room.

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Bruce Cook received the B.A. in Physics from Drake University (1978); the M.S. in Solid State Physics from the University of Iowa (1981); and the Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering from Iowa State University (1999). He has served as a Technical Staff Member at Control Data Corporation (1981-84); Technical Staff Member, PDS, Inc. (1984-87); and at Ames Laboratory from 1987-present. His research interests in include: Structure and properties of ultra-hard and degradation-resistant materials; thermoelectric energy conversion materials; high temperature selective emitter materials and semiconductors; powder metallurgy, mechanical alloying, and development of unique metastable compounds by solid state synthesis; electrical and thermal characterization of materials; properties of intermetallic compounds and Pb-free solder alloys; and synthesis and properties of nanophase particles by spark erosion. Dr. Cook is the author of over 70 publications on materials processing and characterization, and he holds five patents and has four patents in process.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, November 17-21, 2008

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology Seminar:

Abstract:

Laser processing is an enabling technology with a wide range of manufacturing capability starting from nanometer to meters. Scientific challenges involve application of atomic level understanding to the development of new products. This presentation will review some of the processes in various size ranges and discuss the mathematical modeling of transport phenomena associated with the processes to provide a quantitative understanding.

Refreshments at 2:30 p.m. in the ATRC Vogt Room.

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Dr. Joyti Mazumder received the B.E. in Metallurgical Engineering from Calcutta University (1972); the D.I.C. in Process Metallurgy from Imperial College in London (1978); and the Ph.D. in Process Metallurgy from Imperial College in London (1978). Currently he serves as Director of the Center for Laser-Aided Intelligent Manufacturing in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, as well as Director of the Michigan site of the NSF Center for Lasers and Plasmas for Advanced Manufacturing. In addition, he is CEO of the POM group, a small high technology firm in Auburn Hills, MI. Previously he served as Professor of Materials Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, as well as Head of the Design and Materials Division in the Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, all at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. His research interests include: transforming the field of materials processing by laser from a technological art to scientifically based engineering; laser aided manufacturing; atom to application; technical approaches including on-line optical diagnostics, transport phenomena modeling, non-equilibrium synthesis of materials with tailored properties, and their evaluation and characterization.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, November 24-28, 2008

Thanksgiving Break, November 26-28

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, December 1-5, 2008

Prefinals Week

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

Atmospheric and Space Threshold Research Oklahoma (ASTRO) is a program that was founded at Oklahoma State University in 2004 through the combined support of the NASA Oklahoma Space Grant Consortium, and the OSU School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The program provides access to the near-space environment (over 100,000 ft altitude) through the launch, tracking, and recovery of payloads using sounding balloons as well as specialized software, and communications hardware. ASTRO missions have been used for academic as well as research purposes. Recently, researchers from the OSU Department of Physics, and School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have collaborated on a NASA EPSCoR project involving the flight of a new cosmic radiation sensor using on ASTRO missions. The presentation will discuss all aspects of the ASTRO program from flight planning to recovery, as well as the custom hardware, and software developed. Future plans for the development of an autonomous recovery system will also be discussed.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, December 8-12, 2008

Finals Week

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, December 15-19, 2008

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, December 22-26, 2008

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, December 29-31, 2008

No talks scheduled

Last Updated: December 2, 2008

This page was prepared by Helen Au-Yang and Jacques H.H. Perk.