Seminars and Colloquia, January through June, 2000

• This Week's schedule.
• Earlier Semesters.
• Typical Week's schedule.
• January 3-7, 2000's schedule.
• January 10-14, 2000's schedule.
• January 17-21, 2000's schedule.
• January 24-28, 2000's schedule.
• January 31-February 4, 2000's schedule.
• February 7-11, 2000's schedule.
• February 14-18, 2000's schedule.
• February 21-25, 2000's schedule.
• February 28-March 3, 2000's schedule.
• March 6-10, 2000's schedule.
• March 13-17, 2000's schedule.
• March 20-24, 2000's schedule.
• March 27-31, 2000's schedule.
• April 3-7, 2000's schedule.
• April 10-14, 2000's schedule.
• April 17-21, 2000's schedule.
• April 24-28, 2000's schedule.
• May 1-5, 2000's schedule.
• May 8-12, 2000's schedule.
• May 15-19, 2000's schedule.
• May 22-26, 2000's schedule.
• May 29-June 2, 2000's schedule.
• June 5-9, 2000's schedule.
• June 12-16, 2000's schedule.
• June 19-23, 2000's schedule.
• June 26-30, 2000's schedule.

Seminars and Colloquia, Typical Week:

Center for Laser and Photonics Research Seminar:

Physics Undergraduate Journal Club:

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Journal Club on Biophysics:

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

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, January 3-7, 2000

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, January 10-14, 2000

Center for Laser and Photonics Research Seminar:

Abstract:

With the experimental realization of Bose-Einstein condensation and the matter-wave "laser", intense, coherent sources of matter-waves analogous to the optical laser are available, thus allowing for a new field of physics: nonlinear atom optics. We outline the basic concepts for this field and report the first experiment, the observation of coherent four wave mixing in which three sodium matter waves mix to produce a fourth.

Note:

Refreshments will be served at 2:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, you may contact Heath Hignight (405-744-6404).

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, January 17-21, 2000

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Abstract:

Cosmic rays have historically been the source of much of our information about the extraterrestrial world. It is believed that among the most energetic cosmic rays are those which may be produced by massive black holes which could exist at the centers of some galaxies (aka 'Active Galactic Nuclei', or 'AGN'). Additional ultra-high energy neutrinos may be produced by the (as-yet-unidentified) process responsible for the ultra-high energy cosmic rays observed in present Extensive Air Shower experiments, and anticipated for the future Auger Project. The Fly's Eye Experiment in Utah has confirmed that particles of energy as high as 10²⁰ eV are, indeed, present in the cosmic ray flux. We describe a new experimental effort to detect ultra high energy electron neutrinos through their interactions with ice molecules in the Antarctic icecap, based on the principle of 'radio coherence'. Experimentally, we measure a long-wavelength (radiofrequency) pulse resulting from this interaction. A prototype experiment (Radio Ice Cerenkov Experiment, or 'RICE') presently operating at the South Pole is described. This experimental effort has been made possible only through the cooperation, assistance, and support of the AMANDA collaboration.

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

The discovery of the top quark at Fermilab in 1995 was an important milestone in our understanding of the Standard Model of Particles and Fields. Measurements of the top mass and cross section have given us a deeper insight into where we might find the final missing piece of the Standard Model: the Higgs Boson. This talk will review what we have learned about the top quark over the last five years and what these measurements imply about the Higgs. In addition, the future discovery potential of the upgraded Tevatron will be discussed.

Note room change.

Note: The traditional student-speaker chat will begin in PS 147 at 2:45 PM. All students are welcome! Refreshments will be served at 3:00 PM.

Dinner: Freddie's Steakhouse, 6:00 PM (sign-up sheet in main office).

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, January 24-28, 2000

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

Coherent Bose-Condensates of

• Photons (lasers),
• Cooper pairs (superconductors), and
• Trapped cold atoms

will be discussed as nonlinear dynamical systems.

Note room change.

Note: The traditional student-speaker chat will begin in PS 147 at 2:45 PM. All students are welcome! Refreshments will be served at 3:00 PM.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, January 31--February 4, 2000

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Abstract:

I review some of the breakthroughs in the theory of heavy quark decays of the last decade, which are indispensable for precision tests of the theory of elementary particles. The results regarding the lifetimes and decay widths of beauty and charm hadrons rely on advanced techniques such as the Operator Product Expansion. Yet most of them have transparent physics behind. I elucidate these results in the language of ordinary Quantum Mechanics. Local quark-hadron duality, a property sensitive to the details of strong forces, is introduced. It has attracted much attention recently as a theoretical problem important for precision experimental studies.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, February 7-11, 2000

OSU Mini-Symposium on Membrane Structure and Dynamics, Day 1:

Speakers and Schedule:

OSU Mini-Symposium on Membrane Structure and Dynamics, Day 2:

Speakers and Schedule:

Coffee and snacks will be served at 3:45 PM in room NRC 348B

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Abstract:

Elucidation of Electroweak symmetry breaking in the Standard Model remains at the forefront of elementary particle physics. There is mounting indirect evidence and theoretical motivation that the quarry is close at hand. In this talk, I will summarize the recent developments in Higgs physics at the upgraded Tevatron with a focus on the Standard Model Higgs search. After reviewing the search strategies for Higgs masses less than 130 GeV, I will describe how the decay mode of the Higgs to a pair of W bosons can be used to dramatically extend the Higgs reach of the Tevatron.

Note change of date and time!

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, February 14-18, 2000

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Abstract:

CANCELLED

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, February 21-25, 2000

Center for Laser and Photonics Research Seminar:

Abstract:

Small colloidal semiconductor-metals and magnetic clusters exhibit unusual properties and may be considered as new physico-chemical dimension between the molecules and the bulk materials. The electronic properties of the particles depend on particles size. In this talk I will present our results from the optical and structural characterization on such nanosized particles as well as the possibility to create 2-D and more dimensional nanostructures.

Note:

Refreshments will be served at 2:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, you may contact Heath Hignight (405-744-6404).

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Abstract:

The bottom quark mass is an important parameter for the theoretical description of inclusive B mesons decays. Determinations of an accurate bottom quark mass have a long tradition and, in the past, have often been subject to some debates. In this talk I present a determination of the bottom quark mass using perturbative QCD and data on the known Upsilon mesons using non-relativistic sum rules at next-to-next-to-leading order. I emphasise the role of the heavy quark mass as a scheme dependent parameter of the QCD Lagrangian and show that it can be determined with uncertainties smaller than Lambda_QCD, if it is defined carefully. Implications for the determination of V_cb and V_ub from inclusive B meson decays are discussed.

Journal Club on Statistical Mechanics and Condensed Matter Physics:

Abstract:

The Peierls instability is well understood in the static lattice limit and within mean-field theory. An interesting and still controversial question is the stability of Peierls states when quantum lattice fluctuations are taken into account. The question has motivated several studies of quantum lattice fluctuation effects in the Holstein, Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH), and spin-Peierls models. In spinless fermion models these studies have shown the transition to a Peierls state occurs only when the electron-phonon coupling exceeds a finite critical value or when the phonon frequency drops below some finite threshold value. In more realistic models with spin-1/2 electrons, however, previous studies have generally concluded that the ground state is a Peierls state for any finite electron-phonon coupling at finite phonon frequency, in qualitative agreement with mean-field theory. The present work points out that this conclusion is incorrect. By a functional integral calculation, we show that quantum phonon fluctuation destroys the Peierls instability in the spin-1/2 Holstein model for small electron-phonon coupling or large phonon frequency. Recently, this result has been confirmed by the DMRG calculation. Furthermore, in spin-Peierls models, it has been reported that there is a similar quantum transition.

It is known that the Peierls ground state survives the quantum phonon fluctuation or electron fluctuation (correlation) in the spin-half SSH model. We show for the first time that both the phonon and electron fluctuations could destroy the Peierls state, that is, there is a quantum transition from Peierls insulate to metallic states.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, February 28-March 3, 2000

No talks scheduled.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, March 6-10, 2000

Friends of the Forms:

This lecture is free and open to the public!

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, March 13-17, 2000

Journal Club on Statistical Mechanics and Condensed Matter Physics:

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, March 20-24, 2000

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

Recent developments in M/String theory are reviewed and their implications for gravitational physics as well as particle physics are put in perspective. The study of extended objects, e.g., domain walls, in the context of particle physics is motivated. Features of supersymmetric domain walls in four-dimensional supergravity are further reviewed and generalizations to supergravity domain walls in five-dimensions are given. Implications for the "world" on such domain walls are addressed.

Note: The traditional student-speaker chat will begin in PS 147 at 2:45 PM. All students are welcome! Refreshments will be served at 3:00 PM.

Joint Physics/Biochemistry Seminar:

Note: Refreshments at 3:45.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, March 27-31, 2000

Journal Club on Statistical Mechanics and Condensed Matter Physics:

Note: This time we start half an hour earlier than usual.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, April 3-7, 2000

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Journal Club on Biophysics:

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, April 10-14, 2000

No talks scheduled.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, April 17-21, 2000

Special Physics Colloquium:

Note: Please note room change.

Coffee and Cookies at 3:00 PM in PS 147. There will be a reception at Dr. McKeever's house 8:30-10:00 PM.

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Physics Colloquium:

Coffee & cookies will be served at 3:00 PM in PS 147.

Hosted by Prof. Aihua Xie. Reception at her house 8:30-10:30 PM.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, April 24-28, 2000

Prefinals Week.

Physics Colloquium:

Abstract:

Nonlinear Optical Research will be surveyed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. First an overview of laser, photonics, and nonlinear optics research will be presented. Then, two applications of Nonlinear Optics will be discussed: (i) the use of nonlinear wave mixing for coherence-based imaging in scattering media; (ii) the use of nonlinear optical excited state absorbers for power limiting applications.

Coffee & cookies will be served at 3:00 PM in PS 147.

Hosted by Prof. Jim Wicksted.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, May 1-5, 2000

Finals week

Special Physics Colloquium:

Note: Please note room change.

Coffee and Cookies at 3:00 PM in PS 147. There will be a reception at Dr. Ackerson's house 8:30-10:00 PM.

Oklahoma High Energy Physics Seminar on Talk-Back Television:

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, May 8-12, 2000

No talks scheduled.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, May 15-19, 2000

Special Physics Colloquium:

Note: Please note room change.

Coffee and Cookies at 3:00 PM in PS 147. There will be a reception at Dr. McKeever's house 8:30-10:00 PM.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, May 22-26, 2000

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, May 29-June 2, 2000

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, June 5-9, 2000

Physics Department Safety Training:

Abstract:

This safety training session will cover the OSHA Right-to-Know Program, laboratory signs and labels, and material safety data sheets.

OSU policy states that "All employees of Oklahoma State University must receive Hazard Communication Training. All employees will include temporary, work-study, part-time, graduate assistants, teaching assistants, and full-time personnel."

Note:

If you have any questions, you may contact Charles Hunt at x47478.

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, June 12-16, 2000

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, June 19-23, 2000

No talks scheduled

Oklahoma State Physics Department

Seminars and Colloquia, June 26-30, 2000

Research Experience for Undergraduates Colloquium:

Please attend as we will be taking a group photograph for our web site.

Last Updated: .

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