Add to Calendar 2026-04-02T10:00:00 2026-04-02T11:00:00 High rank multipole order: feeling the strain Event Information: Interactions can lead to a wide variety of ordered states in materials. Phase transitions in which local atomic states develop spontaneous high rank multipole order provides a particularly rich arena for new insights. A key element in the study of such systems is the ability to couple to the associated order parameter. I will describe how one can couple to a variety of different multipolar states, motivating new methodologies to measure a fundamental thermodynamic material property, the multipole susceptibility. One can also identify effective transverse fields, which, when applied inside the ordered state, induce quantum fluctuations and can drive a multipolar quantum phase transition. I will explain the very special roles that strain can play for each of the cases, and will outline new experimental approaches in which the materials 'feel the strain' in different ways. Even while we manipulate the crystal lattice to tune electronic order, hyperfine interactions are not always completely innocent. Along the way I will introduce the special case of an electro-nuclear quantum phase transition.  Event Location: BRIM 311

Add to Calendar 2026-04-16T10:00:00 2026-04-16T11:00:00 Belonging at QMI: What Our Community Told Us Event Information: In fall 2025, members of the QMI community were invited to share their experiences of equity, inclusion, and belonging at the institute. This presentation summarizes preliminary findings from survey responses across our community. The results show strengths, including high levels of respect within immediate lab environments, comfort sharing opinions, and recognition of diverse perspectives. At the same time, the survey identifies a major institutional challenge: while many respondents report a strong sense of belonging within their own labs, that feeling drops substantially at the institute level. Qualitative responses point to recurring concerns around supervision and power, caregiving and flexibility, accessibility of physical spaces, and everyday cultural practices that can unintentionally exclude. On behalf of the EDI Committee, I will highlight these themes and share practical next steps that could help QMI become a more connected, inclusive, and supportive community. The presentation will be short, leaving lots of time for conversation. Event Location: BRIM 311