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 Physics at Virginia
ABSTRACT:

The REDTOP experiment is a super-η/η′ factory aiming at exploring physics BSM, and Cold Dark Matter in particular, in the MeV-GeV energy range. This range is, at present, the most unconstrained among the energy regions searched by current and planned experiments. The η and η′ mesons are almost unique in the particle universe. Their quantum numbers are all zero, which occurs only for the Higgs boson and the vacuum (except for parity). In that respect, REDTOP is considered a low-energy Higgs factory. Furthermore, less than 80REDTOP aims at collecting more than 1014 η/yr (1012 η’/yr) in a 3-year running period, corresponding to about five order of magnitude of the current world sample. Such statistics is sufficient for investigating several symmetry violations, and for searching particles and forces beyond the Standard Model, including dark matter, by studying rare decays of the η and η′. Recent physics and detector studies indicate that REDTOP has excellent sensitivity to probe all four portals connecting the dark sector with the Standard Model, a feature reached only by the SHIP experiment at CERN. Furthermore, conservation laws and violation of discrete symmetries can be probed in several ways. REDTOP is the only η/η′ factory being proposed in the world. The advanced design of the detector is the key of the experiment. A modest proton beam with low power (30 W) is required. Recent physics and detector studies indicate that REDTOP has excellent sensitivity to probe all four portals connecting the dark sector with the Standard Model. Furthermore, conservation laws and violation of discrete symmetries can be probed in several ways. The physics program and the detector for REDTOP will be discussed during the presentation.

Nuclear Physics Seminar
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
3:30 PM
Zoom, Room Below
Note special room.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://virginia.zoom.us/j/91815963942?pwd=T3hjYi9oTFhiczlzTnduRUxyTXRGZz09

Meeting ID: 941 6160 2774
Passcode: 360588


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ABSTRACT:

The REDTOP experiment is a super-η/η′ factory aiming at exploring physics BSM, and Cold Dark Matter in particular, in the MeV-GeV energy range. This range is, at present, the most unconstrained among the energy regions searched by current and planned experiments. The η and η′ mesons are almost unique in the particle universe. Their quantum numbers are all zero, which occurs only for the Higgs boson and the vacuum (except for parity). In that respect, REDTOP is considered a low-energy Higgs factory. Furthermore, less than 80REDTOP aims at collecting more than 1014 η/yr (1012 η’/yr) in a 3-year running period, corresponding to about five order of magnitude of the current world sample. Such statistics is sufficient for investigating several symmetry violations, and for searching particles and forces beyond the Standard Model, including dark matter, by studying rare decays of the η and η′. Recent physics and detector studies indicate that REDTOP has excellent sensitivity to probe all four portals connecting the dark sector with the Standard Model, a feature reached only by the SHIP experiment at CERN. Furthermore, conservation laws and violation of discrete symmetries can be probed in several ways. REDTOP is the only η/η′ factory being proposed in the world. The advanced design of the detector is the key of the experiment. A modest proton beam with low power (30 W) is required. Recent physics and detector studies indicate that REDTOP has excellent sensitivity to probe all four portals connecting the dark sector with the Standard Model. Furthermore, conservation laws and violation of discrete symmetries can be probed in several ways. The physics program and the detector for REDTOP will be discussed during the presentation.

High Energy Physics Seminar
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
3:30 PM
Zoom, Room Below
Note special date.
Note special room.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://virginia.zoom.us/j/91815963942?pwd=T3hjYi9oTFhiczlzTnduRUxyTXRGZz09

Meeting ID: 941 6160 2774
Passcode: 360588


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"A SiPM-on-tile calorimeter for the HL-LHC"


Ted Kolberg , Florida State University
[Host: Chris Neu]
ABSTRACT:

The HL-LHC (high luminosity LHC) project offers new opportunities to fully explore the Higgs sector and to extend searches for new physics.  The experiments will need to be upgraded in order to survive the harsh experimental conditions.  The CMS experiment has an extensive program of upgrades including a SiPM-on-tile hadronic calorimeter in the endcap region.  Relative to designs targeted at a future e+e- collider, the CMS implementation of this technology has unique challenges related to the radiation field, event rate, and integration with the existing experiment.  We will review the status of the calorimeter project, now under construction, and highlight some lessons which may be relevant for future collider experiments.

High Energy Physics Seminar
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
4:00 PM
Dell 2, Room 100
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Note special room.

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ABSTRACT:

In this talk, I will discuss our recent work on transport phenomena stemming from the topological properties of magnetic textures. As a specific illustrative case, we study the transport of vorticity on curved dynamical two-dimensional magnetic membranes. We find that topological transport can be controlled by geometrically reducing symmetries, which enables processes that are not present in flat magnetic systems. To this end, we construct a vorticity 3-current obeying a continuity equation, which is immune to arbitrary local disturbances of the magnetic texture as well as spatiotemporal fluctuations of the membrane. We show how electric current can manipulate vortex transport in geometrically nontrivial magnetic systems. As an example, we propose a minimal setup that realizes an experimentally feasible energy storage device and discuss its thermodynamic efficiency in terms of a vorticity-transport counterpart of the thermoelectric “ZT” figure of merit.

Condensed Matter Seminar
Thursday, March 21, 2024
3:30 PM
Gibson Hall, Room 211
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"Gravitational-waves: from black holes to the cosmos"


Maximiliano Isi , Flatiron Institute
[Host: Sayantani Datta]
ABSTRACT:

With the LIGO-Virgo detectors currently undergoing their 4th observing round, gravitational-wave astronomy has matured into a fast-developing field with broad implications for astrophysics, nuclear physics, gravity and cosmology. In this talk, I will focus on recent developments in probing the physics of black holes and their mergers with gravitational waves. This includes measurements of black hole spins and merger kicks, their use as cosmological probes, and the spectroscopic study of ringing black holes. I will outline some of the theoretical and observational questions driving this field: how do black holes form? Can we leverage them as probes of new fundamental fields, dark matter or cosmic expansion? I will conclude by arguing that we are at the cusp of observationally tackling these and many other fascinating questions as we enter the era of precision gravitational-wave science, with current and future observatories in space and on the ground.

Gravity Seminar
Monday, March 25, 2024
1:30 PM
Physics, Room 323
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"TBA"


Reserved for HEP Seminar
Nuclear Physics Seminar
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
3:30 PM
, Room TBA
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"Current and Future Searches for New Physics at Fixed Target Experiments"


Tyler Horoho , University of Virginia
[Host: Craig Group]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

High Energy Physics Seminar
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
3:30 PM
Gibson Hall, Room 211
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Note special room.

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"TBA"


Pawel Nadel Turonski
[Host: Dustin Keller]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

Nuclear Physics Seminar
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
3:30 PM
Monroe Hall, Room 134
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"Searches for long-lived dark matter with the CMS detector"


Prof. Allie Hall , US Naval Academy
[Host: Chris Neu]
ABSTRACT:

The CMS and ATLAS experiments at the CERN LHC have the unique potential to observe and study dark matter that could be produced in proton-proton collisions. Many searches for dark matter have been carried out, mostly focused on Mono-X signatures with "missing" transverse momentum. These searches, however, have so far not observed any evidence for dark matter and are setting increasingly stringent limits on the allowed dark matter mass and cross section. In this talk, I will describe the current CMS dark matter search program, including searches for long-lived dark matter particles that travel some macroscopic distance before decaying within the CMS detector. In particular, I will present a recent CMS search for an inelastic dark matter model in a final state with a pair of collinear, displaced muons and missing transverse momentum and discuss future plans for searches, including for models of self-interacting dark matter.

High Energy Physics Seminar
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
4:00 PM
Dell 2, Room 100
Note special time.
Note special room.

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"TBA"


Ephraiem Sarabamoun , University of Virginia
[Host: Josh Choi]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

Condensed Matter Seminar
Thursday, March 28, 2024
3:30 PM
Gibson Hall, Room 211
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"TBA"


Siddarth Ajith , University of Virginia
[Host: Kent Yagi]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

Gravity Seminar
Monday, April 1, 2024
1:30 PM
Zoom and in-person, Room 031, JBL
Note special room.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://virginia.zoom.us/j/95172523331?pwd=U2xQQjlpMnhQZjVsZE8veTdXUWdjQT09

Meeting ID: 951 7252 3331
Passcode: 775346


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"TBA"


Bhasitha Purijjala Lindagawa Gedara , University of Virginia
[Host: Dustin Keller]
Nuclear Physics Seminar
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
3:30 PM
, Room TBA
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"TBA"


Steven Boi
[Host: Craig Dukes]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

High Energy Physics Seminar
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
4:00 PM
Dell 2, Room 100
Note special time.
Note special room.

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"TBA"


Diego Ibarra , University of Virginia
[Host: Bellave Shivaram]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

Condensed Matter Seminar
Thursday, April 4, 2024
11:00 AM
Physics Building, Room 323
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Note special room.

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"TBA"


Gray Rybka , University of Washington
[Host: David Nichols & Bradley Johnson]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

Colloquium
Friday, April 5, 2024
3:30 PM
Clark Hall, Room 107
Note special room.

Zoom Link:  https://web.phys.virginia.edu/Private/Covid-19/colloquium.asp


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"Exploring the Warped Side of Our Universe"


Kip S. Thorne , Caltech
[Host: David Nichols]
ABSTRACT:

In 1964, when Thorne was a student, there were hints that our universe might have a Warped Side:  Objects and phenomena made from warped space and warped time instead of from matter.  Thorne and his colleagues have spent these past sixty years turning those hints into clear understanding.  They have explored the Warped Side through theory (using mathematics and computer simulations to probe what the laws of physics predict) and through astronomical observations (primarily with gravitational waves). In this lecture he will describe what they have learned about Warped-Side phenomena:  black holes, wormholes, gravitational waves, our universe’s big-bang birth, and the possibility of time travel.

Colloquium
Monday, April 8, 2024
6:30 PM
Chemistry Building, Room 402
Note special date.
Note special time.
Note special room.

Zoom Link:  https://web.phys.virginia.edu/Private/Covid-19/colloquium.asp


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"TBA"


Hunter Presley , University of Virginia
[Host: Dustin Keller]
Nuclear Physics Seminar
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
3:30 PM
., Room TBA
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"TBA"


Andrew Sutton , Florida State Universtiy
[Host: Craig Group]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

High Energy Physics Seminar
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
4:00 PM
Dell 2, Room 100
Note special time.
Note special room.

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"Voxelated Bioprinting: Digital Assembly of Viscoelastic Bio-ink Particles"


Liheng Cai , University of Virginia
[Host: Bellave Shivaram]
ABSTRACT:

Analogues of pixels to two-dimensional (2D) pictures, voxels –– in the form of small cubes or spheres –– are the basic units of three-dimensional (3D) objects. Digital assembly of bio-ink voxels may provide an approach to engineering heterogeneous yet tightly organized 3D tissue mimics. However, this approach requires precisely manipulating highly viscoelastic bio-ink voxels in 3D space, which represents a grand challenge in both soft matter science and biomanufacturing. In this talk, I will introduce a voxelated bioprinting technology that enables the Digital Assembly of Spherical bio-ink Particles (DASP). First, I will discuss the criteria for the on-demand generation, disposition, and assembly of viscoelastic bio-ink droplets in an aqueous environment without the help of large interfacial tension. Second, I will describe how to use DASP to create 3D structures consisting of interconnected yet distinguishable bio-ink particles. Finally, I will share our recent progress in applying DASP to encapsulate islets into multiscale porous scaffolds to treat type 1 diabetes. I will also discuss immediate applications and emerging challenges associated with voxelated bioprinting.

Condensed Matter Seminar
Thursday, April 11, 2024
3:30 PM
, Room TBA
Note special room.

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"TBA"


Tanmay Poddar , Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare
[Host: Kent Yagi]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

Gravity Seminar
Monday, April 15, 2024
1:30 PM
Online, Room Zoom
Note special room.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://virginia.zoom.us/j/93915256097?pwd=UjJLWEdrV3pTTzUyZGpRWUJTS0dWZz09

Meeting ID: 939 1525 6097

Passcode: 228037


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"TBA"


Jason Pioquinto , University of Virginia
[Host: Dustin Keller]
Nuclear Physics Seminar
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
3:30 PM
, Room TBA
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"Dumb Machine Learning for Physics"


Yonatan Kahn , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
[Host: Craig Dukes]
ABSTRACT:

Machine learning is now a part of physics for the foreseeable future, but many deep learning tools, architectures, and algorithms are imported from industry to physics with minimal modifications. Does physics really need all of these fancy techniques, or does “dumb” machine learning with the simplest possible neural networks suffice? I will argue that the needs for interpretability and uncertainty quantification in physics applications of machine learning mitigate toward the use of simpler tools with more predictable performance. I will give several examples illustrating how tools imported from physics may be used to better understand the training dynamics of fully-connected networks, and conversely, how the topology and geometry of collider physics data may be used as a testbed for theories of machine learning relevant for data “in the wild”.

 

High Energy Physics Seminar
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
4:00 PM
Dell 2, Room 100
Note special time.
Note special room.

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"Skyrmion Textures in Magnetic Materials"


Cristian Batista
[Host: Dmytro Pesin]
ABSTRACT:

Inspired by the work of Hermann von Helmholtz, William Thomson proposed in 1867 that atoms could be vortices in the aether. While subsequent experiments put this proposal out of business, the concept of topological solitons as fundamental building blocks or artificial atoms remains enticing. Recent developments since the 1960s have revealed ample evidence that nature offers updated versions of the aether concept. In the realm of quantum magnets, the aether manifests as the vector field of magnetic moments, whose topological solitons can be seen as emergent mesoscale atoms. Analogous to real atoms, these solitons organize into periodic arrays or crystals governed by principles of symmetry, anisotropy, and competing microscopic interactions. These magnetic textures generate an effective magnetic field, coupled to the orbital degrees of freedom of conduction electrons, capable of reaching astronomical magnitudes. We will explore how these topological magnetic structures manifest in real materials and how the quantum mechanical nature of spins can give rise to more intricate skyrmion textures than those observed thus far.

Colloquium
Friday, April 19, 2024
3:30 PM
Clark Hall, Room 107
Note special room.

Zoom Link:  https://web.phys.virginia.edu/Private/Covid-19/colloquium.asp


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"TBA"


Vimukthi Haththotuwa Gamage , University of Virginia
[Host: Dustin Keller]
Nuclear Physics Seminar
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
3:30 PM
, Room TBA
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"TBA"


Dayne Coveyou , University of Virginia
[Host: Craig Dukes]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

High Energy Physics Seminar
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
4:00 PM
Dell 2, Room 100
Note special time.
Note special room.

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"TBA"


Albert Bryant , University of Virginia
[Host: Dustin Keller]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

Nuclear Physics Seminar
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
3:30 PM
, Room TBA
Note special room.

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"Recent Progress Toward the LDMX Experiment"


Jessica Pascadlo , University of Virginia
[Host: Craig Group]
ABSTRACT:

TBA

High Energy Physics Seminar
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
4:00 PM
Dell 2, Room 100
Note special time.
Note special room.

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To add a speaker, send an email to phys-speakers@Virginia.EDU. Please include the seminar type (e.g. Seminars and Colloquia), date, name of the speaker, title of talk, and an abstract (if available).