October 2020 - sps-list

by Morin, David

If you are doing research through Phys 90r this semester, this google form replaces the old paper form: https://forms.gle/YgQhmxz4f54CvAT8A Please fill this out as soon as your 90r research plan is settled. This is just an internal physics form, so don’t forget to officially sign up for 90r in your crimson cart. Let me know if you have any questions.

4 months

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concentration reqs

by Morin, David

For the SENIOR Physics and Chem/Phys concentrators among you (but also for non-seniors, for future reference): I checked through all of the seniors' records and emailed you of any remaining concentration requirements. But just as a double check, in case I missed anyone, here are some general comments and caveats: 1. Even though I checked through things, you should also check through the requirements listed in the Handbook. 2. Ignore the "Advising Report" in my.harvard, as far as the Physics concentration reqs go. It may very well say that some requirements aren't satisfied when in fact they are. The information I emailed to you supersedes the Advising Report. (However, the Gen Ed part of the Advising Report is probably correct, so you _should_ pay attention to that.) 3. Students who skipped 15b and/or 15c (and took an approved substitute instead) are still required to do the labs, on a pass/fail basis. (But no need to do the 15b lab if you took AP50b or PS12b.) 4. The secondary-field information isn't recorded in the system, so I didn't take that into account in my assessment of any remaining requirements. If you are doing a secondary, be aware that only one course can double count for concentration and secondary. (In contrast, there is unlimited double counting in joint concentrations.) 5. Similarly, for the very few students doing the AB/AM program, the system sometimes doesn't show which courses are bracketed. Be aware that bracketed courses can't count for the undergrad part of the degree.

1 year, 4 months

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15b, 15c lab requirement

by Morin, David

This email is a reminder about the Physics Department's rule for the 15b and 15c labs. This rule applies to Physics concentrators, Chem/Phys concentrators, and students completing a Physics secondary: If you skip 15b and/or 15c and satisfy the E&M and/or waves requirement by taking an alternative course (approved by Prof. Georgi or me), then you must still complete the 15b and/or 15c labs at some point, on a pass/fail basis. (However, you don't need to do the 15b lab if you took AP50b or PS12b.) You can complete the labs in a future semester if you wish, but my recommendation is that you do them at the same time you take the alternative course. (Students in 15b and 15c must of course do the lab when taking the course.) To schedule your lab time, please email, as soon as possible: 15b: Dr. Carey Witkov (witkov(a)fas.harvard.edu) 15c: TF Kristine Rezai (kristinerezai(a)gmail.com) Please let me know if you have any questions.

1 year, 9 months

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TODAY! LPPC Seminar: Wednesday, March 4 @ 4pm | Justin Evans: The NEMO-3 and SuperNEMO experiments

by Gardner, Felice Ann

WHAT: LPPC SEMINAR WHERE: Palfrey House, 18 Hammond St. WHEN: Wednesday, March 4th @ 4:00pm TITLE: The NEMO-3 and SuperNEMO experiments Justin Evans, University of Manchester<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.research.mancheste…> Abstract: The observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) would be evidence both for lepton-number violation and the Majorana nature of the neutrino. In the search for 0νββ, the elimination of radiological backgrounds is critical. The NEMO-3 and SuperNEMO experiments address this challenge with a unique technological approach that allows full topological reconstruction of double-β decay events. A gaseous tracker provides the reconstruction and identification of the β-decay electrons and elimination of non-ββ backgrounds; a plastic-scintillator calorimeter provides the electron energy measurement that identifies events at the ββ-decay end-point. I will give an overview of the results of the NEMO-3 experiment, and describe the SuperNEMO Demonstrator Module, currently under construction at the Modane Underground Laboratory with a goal of demonstrating an almost-zero-background measurement in the ββ-decay end-point region of selenium-82.

3 years, 3 months

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SAVE THE DATE - OCT. 6 @ 5:00pm: Cumrun Vafa | Harvard Science Book Talk

by Gardner, Felice Ann

Harvard Science Book Talk: CUMRUN VAFA<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__harvard.us9.list-2Dman…>, Harvard<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__harvard.us9.list-2Dman…> Puzzles to Unravel the Universe<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__harvard.us9.list-2Dman…> Tuesday, October 6 @ 5:00pm Register<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__harvard.us9.list-2Dman…> [https://mcusercontent.com/2a42f9e6c5264bb277175db04/images/895b505c-850e-41…] Beneath all of the complex and formidable mathematical structures that formulate physical laws rest simple but deep nuggets of truth. It is these simple truths, and not the complicated technical details, that scientists strive for when uncovering the laws of nature. Fortunately, these core ideas can often be illustrated with simple mathematical puzzles. These puzzles are so simple that one can tackle them and appreciate their meaning without using any complicated math. Prof. Cumrun Vafa (Harvard) will talk about his new book, Puzzles to Unravel the Universe, which aims to take the reader on a journey to unravel the laws of the universe through fun puzzles. It includes over a hundred puzzles and their solutions, along with discussion on how they relate to deep ideas in physics and math. Examples are drawn from classical physics, such as Newton's laws and Einstein's theory of relativity, as well as from modern physics, including black holes and string theory. This book is designed for the general public, and it does not require extensive background in mathematics or physics--just a sense of curiosity! Online Lecture Tuesday, October 6 @ 5:00pm REGISTER HERE<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__harvard.us9.list-2Dman…> [Twitter]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__harvard.us9.list-2Dman…> This lecture is free and open to the public. View previously recorded lectures<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__harvard.us9.list-2Dman…> or the schedule of future talks<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__harvard.us9.list-2Dman…>. For more information and to be notified about future events, please contact: science_lectures(a)fas.harvard.edu<mailto:science_lectures@fas.harvard.edu>.

3 years, 4 months

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physics congregate today

by Georgi, Howard

I will be monitoring 8a-9:30a and 9p-11p, but you can log in any time. Log into https://social.congregate.live/physicsnight<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://social.congregate.live/physicsnight&sa…> with Chrome, Firefox or Edge (not Safari) Choose "Log in with Google" Then enter the password 15a15b15c16

3 years, 6 months

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November Physics Chats - please sign up!

by Jenny Hoffman

Physics Students & Postdocs & Research Associates, We enjoyed catching up with you and getting to know some new faces in our first round of monthly faculty chats in October! For November, faculty members have again designated one hour each during which we're available to zoom-chat informally with up to 4 postdocs & students. Please sign up on the google spreadsheet here <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CEgVZSgZxvkl9HIMBzUROgx3KdfpZHNS_Z2…>. Since our time slots filled quickly last month, please start by signing up for a single slot. We'll email again to open up the remaining slots for "seconds" after a few days. Don't hesitate to talk to somebody you'd like to meet for the first time, or somebody you know but haven't seen enough of recently. We look forward to chatting with you! Sincerely, The Faculty

3 years, 6 months

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sophomore concentration signup

by Morin, David

This email is for the sophomores among you who are interested in signing up for Physics or Chem/Phys. The deadline to declare a concentration is Thursday, November 19, but please don't wait until the last minute! A list of possible 20-minute meeting times with me, starting this Thursday 10/8, is located at the following doodle link (I'll gradually add more times in later weeks). You can choose "Table" view or "Calendar" (weekly) view. https://doodle.com/poll/8fzwf8q9ddsv57cd Don't forget to (a) ENTER your name, (b) PICK a time (maybe easier in Table view), (c) click SEND, and (d) make a NOTE of your time (in particular, the **WEEK** you choose) so that you don't forget. Be sure you're signing up for the week you think you're signing up. The Zoom link for the 20-minute meeting is: https://harvard.zoom.us/j/95258793192?pwd=cEViNis1d1ozNDk3MmdpWjRyOVY1QT09 (Password if needed: morinOH) We'll use the meeting to go over your plan of study, talk about the concentration, and take care of a few other logistics. It's a fairly harmless procedure. But a few things to do beforehand are: 1) Fill out the Registrar's declaration form. Instructions are here: https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=529e5ecadb6f4f0… 2) Look at the concentration requirements listed in the Handbook: https://handbook.fas.harvard.edu/book/fields-concentration and think about what courses you want to take that will satisfy the requirements. 3) Make a plan of study. I recommend using Excel (or something similar) to list out the 4 courses in each of your 8 semesters. When making a rough schedule of your remaining 5 semesters, you of course don't need to stick to it exactly, but it's good to have an existence proof of a plan that works. You can share your spreadsheet screen with me on Zoom. 4) Think about whom you want as your concentration advisor. Everyone has Prof. Georgi and me automatically, but we also pair you up with another faculty member. Make a list of a few possibilities, in case your first choice is overbooked. You can peruse the list of Physics faculty at: https://www.physics.harvard.edu/people/faculty PLEASE HAVE **THREE** NAMES IN MIND when we meet. 5) Fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/tWstcghbxy2tf5e39 If you have any questions beforehand, stop by my office hours: https://scholar.harvard.edu/david-morin/office-hours or Prof Georgi's: http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~hgeorgi/ These hours are set up at the beginning of each week, but check them during the week for any changes that may come up. The Congregate link is https://social.congregate.live/physicsnight Password: 15a15b15c16 Frequently asked questions etc. are located at: https://www.physics.harvard.edu/undergrad/faqs-concentrators Sample programs etc. are located at: https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/physics/files/concentration_info_0.pdf We look forward to having you join the department! DJM

3 years, 6 months

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[Physics-grads] Wednesday "Night" Research Seminar (WNRS): Professor Aravi Samuel on Nov 4

by Teng, Yanting

Dear All, Next Wednesday (Nov 4) at 4:30PM, *Professor Aravinthan Samuel *will be the speaker for Wednesday "Night" Research Seminar. He will talk about problems related to *biophysics/neuoroscience*: Understanding the brain by whole-circuit imaging: structural and functional approaches. You are more than welcome to come to WNRS even if you have decided which research group to join. It's always fun to learn about career trajectories of more senior scientists as well as about other research topics. Hope to see you there! Please go to the Canvas site Page (https://canvas.harvard.edu/courses/75753) for the lecture. And please join using Zoom link: https://harvard.zoom.us/j/94511250536?pwd=NVZUYnNsUGh5eURBUjZJZ2FyaHM3Zz09 Best, Yanting

3 years, 6 months

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[RSVP] Chilloquium: It's Just a ⚡Photo-Induced⚡ Phase

by Harvard SPS

Terps, Lions, & Bulldogs: *Welcome to Chilloquium!* (It's our virtual undergrad colloquium) *RSVP not required but helps us plan :) <https://forms.gle/b8cSe9TLVkgC1Szp7> <https://harvard.zoom.us/j/95475661549> Meet our Speaker: *Matteo Mitrano* *Assistant Professor Harvard University* *Matteo Mitrano *is an experimental condensed matter physicist. He is interested in investigating fundamental problems in quantum materials, as well as in *controlling their non-equilibrium properties with light*. The goal of his research is to discover *novel, emergent physical phenomena* and solve long-standing problems in the physics of interacting electron systems. He makes use of* advanced ultrafast optical methods,* e.g. THz time-resolved spectroscopy, and of ultrafast scattering probes both in his laboratory and at large-scale facilities. Prof. Mitrano joined the Department of Physics as an assistant professor in July 2020. *For opportunities in the Mitrano group see **here <https://mitrano.physics.harvard.edu/opportunities>.* *Light-stimulated superconductivity* "The use of light to control the properties of condensed-matter materials is a promising area of research, with the long-term prospect that it might lead to the development of quantum devices driven by light. In particular, it was shown recently that nonlinear excitation of certain phonons in bilayer copper oxides induces superconducting-like optical properties at temperatures far above the material's superconducting transition temperature (*T*c). This effect was accompanied by the disruption of competing charge-density-wave correlations, explaining some, but not all, of the experimental results. Experimentalists now report that by exciting metallic K3C60 with mid-infrared optical pulses, they can induce a large increase in carrier mobility, accompanied by the opening of a gap in the optical conductivity. Strikingly, these same signatures are observed at equilibrium when K3C60 cools below its *T*c of 20 K." *Zip-Zap-ily Yours,* <https://forms.gle/b8cSe9TLVkgC1Szp7> <https://harvard.zoom.us/j/95475661549> [image: Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/groups/2613345588897975/> [image: Website] <http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~physics/> Harvard-Radcliffe Society of Physics Students · 17 Oxford St · Cambridge, MA 02138-2933 · USA

3 years, 6 months

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sps-list October 2020