Talks

We report on a new class of fast-roll inflationary models. In a part of its parameter space, inflationary perturbations exhibit quite unusual phenomena such as scalar and tensor modes freezing out at widely different times, as well as scalar modes reentering the horizon during inflation. One specific point in parameter space is characterized by extraordinary behavior of the scalar perturbations. Freeze-out of scalar perturbations as well as particle production at horizon crossing are absent. Also the behavior of the perturbations around this quasi-de Sitter background is dual to a quantum field theory in flat space-time. Finally, the form of the primordial power spectrum is determined by the interaction between different modes of scalar perturbations.

I will review the progress made in our understanding of the QCD phase diagram within an RG approach to QCD and effective QCD models. In particular this includes a discussion of the confinement-deconfinement phase transition/cross-over, the chiral phase transition/cross-over, as well as their interrelation.

The concept of renormalization lies at the heart of fundamental physics. I introduce in this talk the Connes-Kreimer algebraic approach for expressing renormalizability in quantum field theories as well as the extension of these notions to the manifestly non-local framework of noncommutative quantum field theories. Finally, I will present an attempt to further generalize these concepts to quantum gravity models. based on: 0909.5631 [gr-qc], Class. Quant. Grav. (in press)

Does quantum mechanics really tell us that particles, molecules, and maybe even cats, can be in two places at once? Does it force us to deny a reality that is independent of our observation? How can scientists disagree about what quantum mechanics means and yet still agree that it is right? Joseph Emerson, co-writer of the award-winning documentary “The Quantum Tamers”, will address these questions and then describe, drawing on preview clips from the documentary, how the weirdness of the quantum world is now being harnessed for a ‘quantum information revolution’ that includes quantum teleportation, super-secure quantum communication, and the exponential power of quantum computation.