Seminars and Colloquia, July through December, 2015

• This Week's schedule.
• Earlier Semesters.
• Typical Week's schedule.
• July 6-10, 2015's schedule.
• July 13-17, 2015's schedule.
• July 20-24, 2015's schedule.
• July 27-31, 2015's schedule.
• August 3-7, 2015's schedule.
• August 10-14, 2015's schedule.
• August 17-21, 2015's schedule.
• August 24-28, 2015's schedule.
• August 31-September 4, 2015's schedule.
• September 7-11, 2015's schedule.
• September 14-18, 2015's schedule.
• September 21-25, 2015's schedule.
• September 28-October 2, 2015's schedule.
• October 5-9, 2015's schedule.
• October 12-16, 2015's schedule.
• October 19-23, 2015's schedule.
• October 26-30, 2015's schedule.
• November 2-6, 2015's schedule.
• November 9-13, 2015's schedule.
• November 16-20, 2015's schedule.
• November 23-27, 2015's schedule.
• November 30-December 4, 2015's schedule.
• December 7-11, 2015's schedule.
• December 14-18, 2015's schedule.
• December 21-25, 2015's schedule.
• December 28-31, 2015'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 6-10, 2015

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, July 13-17, 2015

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, July 20-24, 2015

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, July 27-31, 2015

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, August 3-7, 2015

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, August 10-14, 2015

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, August 17-21, 2015

First Week of Classes

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, August 24-28, 2015

Second Week of Classes

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, August 31-September 4, 2015

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, September 7-11, 2015

Labor Day: Monday, September 7, 2015

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, September 14-18, 2015

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, September 21-25, 2015

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

Ferroelectric materials possess a wide range of fundamentally interesting and practically important properties. Some of these properties are the spontaneous electric polarization that can be switched by electric field, tunable dielectric permittivity that can be hundreds of times higher than the permittivity of SiO₃, and piezoelectric effect enabling numerous technologies of great practical importance such as medical ultrasound imaging. The number of practically useful ferroelectric oxide materials is limited, but new multilayer and superlattice materials with enhanced ferroelectric and dielectric properties can be engineered using layers of different ferroelectrics as building blocks. In order to explore fully the opportunities of this bottom-up materials engineering, it is important to understand complex polarization and strain interactions at ferroelectric-ferroelectric interfaces.

Electrostatic polarization coupling between ferroelectric domains affects the magnitude of the electric polarization and it can critically alter the behavior of a multilayer ferroelectric system. Unfortunately, the knowledge about ferroelectric polarization coupling is limited, and the behavior of ferroelectric bilayer systems, which would be ideal systems for testing coupling models, is largely unexplored. In this presentation, I will provide a brief introduction to physics of ferroelectric materials and show our recent experimental results and computational analysis of polarization coupling studies of ferroelectric bilayers of lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ and barium titanate BaTiO₃. The major finding of our work is that the layers thicker than 50 nm are likely to have weak polarization coupling that leads to the possibility of switching polarization states of each layer independently. This weak coupling can be explained by the conductive properties of the interface between ferroelectric layers that resembles the properties of a two-dimensional electron gas.

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.

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

Note: This talk provides technical details not given in yesterday’s colloquium.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, September 28-October 2, 2015

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

Similarity-based layouts generated by multidimensional projections or other dimension reduction techniques are commonly used to visualize high-dimensional data. Many projection techniques have been recently proposed addressing different objectives and application domains. Nonetheless, very little is known about the effectiveness of the generated layouts from a user’s perspective, how distinct layouts from the same data compare regarding the typical visualization tasks they support, or how domain-specific issues affect the outcome of the techniques. Learning more about projection usage is an important step towards both consolidating their role in high-dimensional data analysis and taking informed decisions when choosing techniques. This work provides a contribution towards this goal.

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.

Graduate Student Seminar:

Abstract: The turn of the 20th century brought to physics two deeply profound theories, these being General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. Both theories have held up to decades of experimental scrutiny. Having changed our understanding of universe we live in, from the imperceptibly small to the improbably large. However, there remain many unsolved problems, in both fields. Some of which are of an ontological nature. Having been discussed, argued and mulled over by generations of scientists and philosophers. In this talk we will discuss some of these ontological issues, and how, particularly in the case of Quantum Mechanics, they have evolved in modern times. In addition to whether certain mathematical abstractions might help shed light on these issues. And if these ontological issues may provide some degree of insight into new theories.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, October 5-9, 2015

Students’ Fall Break: Friday, October 9, 2015

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, October 12-16, 2015

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

The current experiments on structural determination cannot keep up the pace with the steadily emerging RNA sequences and new functions. This underscores the request for an accurate model for RNA three-dimensional (3D) structural prediction. Considerable progress has been made in mechanistic studies, but accurate prediction for RNA tertiary structural folding from sequence remains an unsolved problem. The first and most important requirement for predicting of RNA structure from physical principles is an accurate free energy landscape model. I will introduce a multiscale RNA folding theory recently developed in my lab. A key advantage of this new theory is the use of rigorous physical principles for chain entropies/free energies for RNA tertiary folds. I will present several significant biomedical applications of the theory including microRNA-gene target interactions and RNA-related therapeutic design. Furthermore, RNA, as a polyelectrolyte, requires metal ions in the solution to facilitate the folding process. I will also present recent new findings about the hydration and ion correlation effects in RNA tertiary structure folding.

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, October 19-23, 2015

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, October 26-30, 2015

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

The methods of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics provide a powerful framework for understanding systems in equilibrium.  However, large parts of the natural world exist in states where there is a constant flux of matter and energy.  It is a grand challenge of physics to develop organising principles to better understand and tame nonequilibrium systems.

In this talk I will discuss aspects of the nonequilibrium physics of superfluid Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs).  These quantum gases can be exquisitely controlled by physicists in the laboratory, and provide an excellent model system in which to study nonequilibrium phenomena.  We will present an example where an initially turbulent two-dimensional BEC self-organises into two giant whirlpools, and explain the phenomenon in terms of the evaporative heating of quantum vortices.

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.

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

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, November 2-6, 2015

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

Discoveries made in the past few years have brought new excitement to the field of high-energy physics.  These include the discovery of the Higgs boson, and the discovery of neutrino oscillations—topics of Nobel prizes in physics over the past three years.  Still, there are some unresolved puzzles and problems with the standard theory of particle physics.  Grand Unification is an attractive idea which offers elegant solutions to many of these puzzles.  The idea of Grand Unification will be introduced and realistic models will be presented.  Possible ways of probing these models in near-future experiments will be outlined.

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, November 9-13, 2015

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

To achieve the goal of increasing the dose to the tumor, while sparing healthy tissue, modern radiation therapy employs increasingly advanced radiation delivery techniques, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and scanning proton and carbon ion beams.  Although ion beam therapy is small compared to photon therapy, the number of facilities capable of treating patients with proton and carbon ions continues to grow.  These advances pose new challenges for the characterization and dosimetry of the radiation fields.

In this talk we discuss the advances achieved at Oklahoma State University on the development of the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique for medical applications.  Examples include dosimetry in proton and carbon ion beams, 2D dosimetry using OSL films, and dosimetry in the presence of magnetic fields.  Results obtained in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, ProCure Proton Therapy Center, and Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center will be presented.

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, November 16-20, 2015

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

In 1671, Isaac Newton published his “Method of Fluxions” in which he described his mathematical treatment of rates of change, more commonly now known as differential calculus.  In 1865, James Clerk Maxwell published his seminal work: “A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field” in which was presented his now-famous four equations describing electromagnetic waves.  In 1917 a clerk in the US Patent Office, Albert Einstein, introduced his General Theory of Relativity followed by his notion of the Cosmological Constant.  The names listed here are among the most famous in not only physics, but arguably in world history.  The question I raise for discussion is: “Would proposals from these scientists, to work on these topics, be funded by the US Government today?”  We would like to think so, but in thinking this way we are biased by the fact that we now know what these fundamental studies led to.  What if we didn’t know?  What if we couldn’t see a single future application for these works?

As it happens, among the technologies we now benefit from that came directly from these studies are GPS, weather satellites, radar, and wireless communications, along with a host of others.  Certainly, at the time of their work, Newton, Maxwell and Einstein had no idea what practical devices would emerge from their research hundreds of years later…and herein lays the problem.  Who among us can predict from the basic research being done today what practical developments will emerge tomorrow?

This talk examines some of the issues facing our nation as it attempts to decide upon where to invest critical research funds that will achieve the greatest societal benefit—especially in a climate of declining budgets, increasing sociological pressures, increasing political, cultural and economic strife, and polarizing opinions among politicians and taxpayers alike.  The balance between basic research and applied research has become critical.  Just what should our nation fund?

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, November 23-27, 2015

Students’ Thanksgiving Break, Wednesday, November 25

Thanksgiving Break, November 26-27

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, November 30-December 4, 2015

Prefinals Week

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, December 7-11, 2015

Finals Week

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, December 14-18, 2015

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, December 21-25, 2015

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, December 28-31, 2015

No talks scheduled

Last Updated:

jhhp@jperk.phy.okstate.edu