Conference/School

In the first edition of the meeting, CATMIN (Cold ATom Molecule INteractions) was a new satellite meeting of ICPEAC devoted to the study of atomic and molecular systems, where long-range interactions and the extreme properties of highly excited electrons produce new physics and lead to new technologies. CATMIN's objective is to strengthen the links between cold atom physics, molecular physics, chemistry and condensed matter physics, so that new concepts and breakthroughs can emerge. Ions, atoms and molecules are naturally made quantum systems that can be controlled with light and low frequency electromagnetic fields, thus lending themselves to precision investigations and use in quantum technologies. The second CATMIN conference will be held a few days before the ICAP, which is a major conference in AMO physics, with the idea that scientists can attend both meetings. The CATMIN meeting will be a two-day conference held at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, ON, centered on Rydberg-atom physics, cold ion physics and the interplay between these experimental platforms. Rydberg atom physics is experiencing a renaissance due to the application of the exaggerated properties of highly excited atoms for quantum information and quantum simulation. Rydberg states can even be observed in solids which is a subject of increasing interest. Cold ions, similarly, are exciting for quantum simulation and computing, becoming one of the central platforms in the race to build a quantum computer. Many exciting developments are also in progress in the area of cold-molecules. Long-range interactions open up fields of research such as the photo-association of cold atoms to form ultra-cold molecules, and the excitation of Rydberg molecules demonstrating novel kinds of molecular bonding. Strong long-range interactions in all the systems permit the investigation of the few-body and many-body regimes, including the few- to many-body transition. The conference aims to share the latest developments and results in these exciting fields among the various ICAP communities as well as the broader physics and chemistry communities. Overall, the conference can forward quantum science and the application of quantum science, which furthers these fields of research by concentrating interest to attract people and resources to the field.

Sponsorship for this event has been provided by:

https://pirsa.org/C22028

Perimeter Institute will make every effort to host the conference as an in-person event.  However, we reserve the right to change to an online program to align with changes in regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Territorial Land Acknowledgement

Perimeter Institute acknowledges that it is situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Neutral peoples.

Perimeter Institute is located on the Haldimand Tract. After the American Revolution, the tract was granted by the British to the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation as compensation for their role in the war and for the loss of their traditional lands in upstate New York. Of the 950,000 acres granted to the Haudenosaunee, less than 5 percent remains Six Nations land. Only 6,100 acres remain Mississaugas of the Credit land. 

We thank the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Neutral peoples for hosting us on their land.

As COVID-19 continues to impose gathering restrictions, the “Postdoc Welcome 2021” will continue as a virtual event this year and will be hosted on Thursday, October 28 and Friday, October 29. Each new postdoc will be given 5 minutes to introduce themselves to the PI Community.  The time will be used to tell us a little bit about themselves and to showcase their current research.  These presentations are very casual and should not be misconstrued as formal talks. Some discussion will follow the presentations, whereby current PI Residents may have the opportunity to ask questions.

There will be two 60-minute sessions:
Thursday, October 28: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Friday, October 29: 11:30 – 12:30 pm

All PI Residents are encouraged to attend. Registration will remain open until 9:00 am on Thursday, October 28.

Please register for the Postdoc Welcome via the event website:  https://events.perimeterinstitute.ca/event/9/overview

Over the years, various researchers have suggested connections between the octonions and the standard model of particle physics. The past few years, in particular, have been marked by an upsurge of activity on this subject, stimulated by the recent observation that the standard model gauge group and fermion representation can be elegantly characterized in terms of the octonions. This workshop, which will be the first ever on this topic, is intended to bring this new community together in an attempt to better understand these ideas, establish a common language, and stimulate further progress.

The workshop will consist of an hour-long talk every Monday at noon (EST), with the first talk on Monday February 8, and the final talk on Monday May 17.