Events

Ria and Elizabeth seem to be authors of a very different type: Ria is a YA (Young Adult) novelist, while Elizabeth is an astrophysicist who writes popular science. The first part of this talk will tackle a crucial question: why are they presenting together? The two authors will discuss how they came to work together unexpectedly through Ria’s novel. Ria will then explain the process and research for her novel, The Centre of the Universe, and how the use of space metaphors help explain relationships between the characters.

Abstract:

Abstract:

Exploitation of the intrinsic spin of an electron, spintronics, could facilitate the development of multifunctional and novel devices. With respect to the material selection, two-dimensional (2D) crystals and their van der Waals heterostructures could enable new spintronics functionalities that are not accessible in bulk materials [1].

Topological metals continue to attract attention as novel gapless states of matter. 
While there by now exists an exhaustive classification of possible topologically nontrivial metallic states, 
their observable properties, that follow from the electronic structure topology, are less well understood. 
In this talk I will present my recent work on magnetotransport phenomena in topological metals, which may be related to the 
chiral anomaly. I will demonstrate that the chiral anomaly leads to strong anisotropic magnetoresistance in such materials, 

Abstract: A precise measurement of the pion to positron or muon decay branching ratio provides a test of lepton universality incorporated in the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics. If a measurement is consistent with the SM, new constraints could be set on new physics. Most remarkably, a deviation could imply the presence of a new pseudo-scalar interaction whose energy scales up to O(1000 TeV) would enhance the branching ratio by O(0.1%). In some instances, these constraints can far exceed the reach of direct searches at colliders.

A dedicated analysis of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), as revealed by both the WMAP and Planck satellites, has discovered numerous previously unobserved highly energetic anomalous 'spots' in the CMB. Such spots are implications of conformal cyclic cosmology (CCC), which proposes that our Big Bang was the (conformal) continuation of a previous cosmic "aeon", wherein these anomalous spots would be the result of the conformally compressed Hawking radiation from supermassive black holes in that previous aeon.

Abstract: Targeted radionuclide therapy has been shown to be one of the most effective treatment options for metastatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs).

Clean two-dimensional electron systems have been intensively studied due to the astounding array of correlated electronic phases they elicit. In this presentation, I will introduce ZnO-based heterostructures as a new strongly interacting oxide platform for studying the transport of ultra-high mobility carriers.

As the various quantum photonic platforms mature, we rapidly approach the advent of viable quantum devices.  The different ways in which we can manipulate and create quantum states, and how efficiently we can do so, will determine the types of devices that we can realistically construct.  In this talk, I will cover our recent progress on the control of the properties of epitaxially grown InAs quantum dots embedded in GaAs na

Abstract: The discovery of topological phases of matter has brought high-energy and condensed matter communities together by giving us shared interests and challenges. One fruitful outcome is the broadened range of possibilities to realize high-energy physics in table-top experiments.

One of the most enduring mysteries in particle physics is the nature of the non-baryonic dark matter that makes up 85% of the matter in the universe. For several decades, most searches for this mysterious substance have focused on Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). Recently, there has been a surge in theoretical interest in ultra-light, wave-like dark matter candidates, including the strongly motivated QCD axion.

In 1944 Hans Bethe reported on “the diffraction of electromagnetic radiation by a hole small compared with the wave-length” [Physical Review 66, 163 (1944)]. This seminal paper was among the early precursors to a new and vibrant area of research: near field nano-optics.