Colloquia - Spring 2017
January 17 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
January 24 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
January 31 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
February 7 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
February 14 - John V. Shebalin, NASA Johnson Space Center
Title: "MHD Turbulence and the Geodynamo"
Abstract: Recent research results concerning forced, dissipative, rotating magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence will be discussed. These results come from very long-time Fourier method (periodic box) simulations in which forcing contains varying amounts of magnetic and kinetic helicity will be presented. They indicate that if dissipative MHD turbulence is forced so as to produce a state of relatively constant energy, then the largest-scale components are dominant and quasi-stationary, and produce an effective dipole moment vector that aligns closely with the rotation axis. The relationship of this work to established results in ideal MHD turbulence, as well as to models of MHD turbulence in a spherical shell will also be presented. These results appear to be very pertinent to understanding the geodynamo, as well as its quasi-steady dipole component, and suggest that MHD turbulence, per se, may play an essential role in the creation of the Earth's dipole magnetic field.
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
February 21 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
February 28 - Raul Briceno, Jefferson Lab
Title: "A glimpse into the exotic world of quarks and gluons"
Abstract: At the core of everyday matter is a complex inner world of subatomic particles. In particular, the nuclei of atoms are made of protons and neutrons, which are themselves made of even smaller particles known as quarks and gluons. Thanks to experiments, like the ones being carried out at Jefferson Lab, we have been able to peer inside and deduce the guiding principles for the behavior of quarks and gluons. This knowledge has been formalized into a fundamental theory of the strong nuclear force, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). However, despite having the theory in place for over 40 years, the connection between QCD and experiment has been historically limited by the fact that the strong nuclear force is "strongly interacting". In this talk, I discuss recent theoretical progress that is finally allowing us to directly extract the same observables from QCD that are measured in experiment. This is particularly exciting, because these tools will allow us to study not just conventional states of matter but also exotic ones. The latter refers to states that are not easily described by models of QCD and thus require the full machinery of the theory. These complicated objects continue to puzzle experimentalists and theorists alike, but with these theoretical breakthroughs as well as the new era of Jefferson Lab experiments, we are on the cusp of a richer and deeper understanding of the fundamental theory of the strong force.
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
March 7 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
March 14 - Jorge Piekarewicz, Florida State University
Title: "Heaven and Earth: JLAB's role in elucidating the structure of neutron stars"
Abstract: Understanding the equation of state (EOS) of neutron-rich matter is a central goal of nuclear physics that cuts across a variety of disciplines. Indeed, the limits of nuclear existence, the structure of neutron stars, and the dynamics of core-collapse supernova, all depend critically on the nuclear-matter EOS. Perhaps surprisingly, ongoing JLAB experiments to determine the neutron skins of heavy nuclei are critical in constraining the EOS of neutron-rich matter. Such a parity-violating program at JLAB will help correlate observables that differ by 18 orders of magnitude: from the neutron skin of heavy nuclei to the radii of neutron stars.
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
March 21 - Brett De Paola, Kansas State
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
March 28 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
April 4 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
April 13 - Steven Pollock, University of Colorado
Title: "A research-validated approach to transforming upper-division physics courses."
Abstract: At most universities, including the University of Colorado, upper-division physics courses are taught using a traditional lecture approach that does not make use of many of the instructional techniques that have been found to improve student learning at the introductory level. We are transforming upper-division courses (E&M, quantum, and Classical Mechanics) using principles of active engagement and learning theory, guided by the results of observations, interviews, and analysis of student work at CU and elsewhere. I will outline these reforms including consensus learning goals, clicker questions, tutorials, modified homeworks, and more, as an example of what a transformed upper-division course can look like, and as a tool to offer insights into student difficulties in advanced undergraduate topics. We have examined the effectiveness of these reforms relative to traditional courses, based on grades, interviews, and attitudinal and conceptual surveys. Our results suggest that it is valuable to further investigate how physics is taught at the upper-division, and how education research may be applied in this context.
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons arae cordially invited to attend.
April 18 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
April 25 - Senior Thesis Presentations
Physics Undergraduate Seniors' Day
Tuesday April 25, 2017
Senior Thesis Presentations
Senior Thesis Presenters
Ashlee Bradford
Measurement of electron energy deposition in ArCO2 gas using GEM foils
Advisor: Professor Dodge
David Dillard
Investigation of a Beat-lock Circuit for Frequency Offset Locking a Laser
Advisor: Professor Sukenik
Paul Ellison
Study of Maximum Drift Times in Cylindrical Proton Detector
Advisor: Professor Dodge
Presentations: OCNPS 200 @ 12:30 - 2:30 pm.
Refreshments: OCNPS Second floor Atrium @ 12:10 pm.
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
January 17 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
January 24 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
January 31 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
February 7 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
February 14 - John V. Shebalin, NASA Johnson Space Center
Title: "MHD Turbulence and the Geodynamo"
Abstract: Recent research results concerning forced, dissipative, rotating magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence will be discussed. These results come from very long-time Fourier method (periodic box) simulations in which forcing contains varying amounts of magnetic and kinetic helicity will be presented. They indicate that if dissipative MHD turbulence is forced so as to produce a state of relatively constant energy, then the largest-scale components are dominant and quasi-stationary, and produce an effective dipole moment vector that aligns closely with the rotation axis. The relationship of this work to established results in ideal MHD turbulence, as well as to models of MHD turbulence in a spherical shell will also be presented. These results appear to be very pertinent to understanding the geodynamo, as well as its quasi-steady dipole component, and suggest that MHD turbulence, per se, may play an essential role in the creation of the Earth's dipole magnetic field.
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
February 21 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
February 28 - Raul Briceno, Jefferson Lab
Title: "A glimpse into the exotic world of quarks and gluons"
Abstract: At the core of everyday matter is a complex inner world of subatomic particles. In particular, the nuclei of atoms are made of protons and neutrons, which are themselves made of even smaller particles known as quarks and gluons. Thanks to experiments, like the ones being carried out at Jefferson Lab, we have been able to peer inside and deduce the guiding principles for the behavior of quarks and gluons. This knowledge has been formalized into a fundamental theory of the strong nuclear force, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). However, despite having the theory in place for over 40 years, the connection between QCD and experiment has been historically limited by the fact that the strong nuclear force is "strongly interacting". In this talk, I discuss recent theoretical progress that is finally allowing us to directly extract the same observables from QCD that are measured in experiment. This is particularly exciting, because these tools will allow us to study not just conventional states of matter but also exotic ones. The latter refers to states that are not easily described by models of QCD and thus require the full machinery of the theory. These complicated objects continue to puzzle experimentalists and theorists alike, but with these theoretical breakthroughs as well as the new era of Jefferson Lab experiments, we are on the cusp of a richer and deeper understanding of the fundamental theory of the strong force.
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
March 7 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
March 14 - Jorge Piekarewicz, Florida State University
Title: "Heaven and Earth: JLAB's role in elucidating the structure of neutron stars"
Abstract: Understanding the equation of state (EOS) of neutron-rich matter is a central goal of nuclear physics that cuts across a variety of disciplines. Indeed, the limits of nuclear existence, the structure of neutron stars, and the dynamics of core-collapse supernova, all depend critically on the nuclear-matter EOS. Perhaps surprisingly, ongoing JLAB experiments to determine the neutron skins of heavy nuclei are critical in constraining the EOS of neutron-rich matter. Such a parity-violating program at JLAB will help correlate observables that differ by 18 orders of magnitude: from the neutron skin of heavy nuclei to the radii of neutron stars.
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
March 21 - Brett De Paola, Kansas State
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
March 28 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
April 4 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
April 13 - Steven Pollock, University of Colorado
Title: "A research-validated approach to transforming upper-division physics courses."
Abstract: At most universities, including the University of Colorado, upper-division physics courses are taught using a traditional lecture approach that does not make use of many of the instructional techniques that have been found to improve student learning at the introductory level. We are transforming upper-division courses (E&M, quantum, and Classical Mechanics) using principles of active engagement and learning theory, guided by the results of observations, interviews, and analysis of student work at CU and elsewhere. I will outline these reforms including consensus learning goals, clicker questions, tutorials, modified homeworks, and more, as an example of what a transformed upper-division course can look like, and as a tool to offer insights into student difficulties in advanced undergraduate topics. We have examined the effectiveness of these reforms relative to traditional courses, based on grades, interviews, and attitudinal and conceptual surveys. Our results suggest that it is valuable to further investigate how physics is taught at the upper-division, and how education research may be applied in this context.
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons arae cordially invited to attend.
April 18 -
Title: "TBA"
Abstract:
Presentation: OCNPS 200 @ 3:00 pm
Refreshments: OCNPS Atrium @ 2:30 pm
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
April 25 - Senior Thesis Presentations
Physics Undergraduate Seniors' Day
Tuesday April 25, 2017
Senior Thesis Presentations
Senior Thesis Presenters
Ashlee Bradford
Measurement of electron energy deposition in ArCO2 gas using GEM foils
Advisor: Professor Dodge
David Dillard
Investigation of a Beat-lock Circuit for Frequency Offset Locking a Laser
Advisor: Professor Sukenik
Paul Ellison
Study of Maximum Drift Times in Cylindrical Proton Detector
Advisor: Professor Dodge
Presentations: OCNPS 200 @ 12:30 - 2:30 pm.
Refreshments: OCNPS Second floor Atrium @ 12:10 pm.
All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.