Search results from PIRSA
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Talk
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Lecture - Mathematical and Numerical Methods, PHYS 777
Erik Schnetter Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Talk
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Lecture - Classical Physics, PHYS 612
Aldo Riello Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Lecture - Classical Physics, PHYS 612
Aldo Riello Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Lecture - Classical Physics, PHYS 612
Aldo Riello Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Talk
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Lecture - Quantum Theory (Core), PHYS 605
David Schmid Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Lecture - Quantum Theory (Core), PHYS 605
David Schmid Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Lecture - Quantum Theory (Core), PHYS 605
David Schmid Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Talk
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Instructor Discussion - Beautiful Papers
Pedro Vieira Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Student Discussion - Beautiful Papers
Pedro Vieira Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Instructor Discussion - Beautiful Papers
Pedro Vieira Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Talk
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Lecture: Introduction to Gravitational Wave Astronomy
Patrick Brady University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Lecture: Overview of the Observatories
Elenna Capote -
Panel Discussion: General Questions and Introduction to the Collaboration
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Patrick Brady University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Barbara Patricelli, Lan Nguyen Quynh, Nicolas Arnaud
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Lecture: Integrating into the collaboration
Jess McIver -
Lecture: Detector Characterization
Derek Davis -
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Talk
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Cosmology Theory
Zach Weiner Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Cosmology Theory
Zach Weiner Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Talk
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Lecture - Introduction to Loop Quantum Cosmology
Edward Wilson-Ewing University of New Brunswick
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Lecture - Introduction to Loop Quantum Cosmology
Edward Wilson-Ewing University of New Brunswick
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Lecture - Introduction to Loop Quantum Cosmology
Edward Wilson-Ewing University of New Brunswick
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Lecture - Introduction to Loop Quantum Cosmology
Edward Wilson-Ewing University of New Brunswick
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Tropical quantum field theory, November 2 - November 5, 2026
Tropical geometry is a promising new tool in quantum field theory. It helps in two ways. First, it gives faster methods that make hard QFT calculations doable, including some that were long out of reach. Second, it offers fresh insight into deep questions about QFT, such as why and how its perturbative expansions tend to diverge. This mini course is a gentle introduction into tropical quantum field theory methods and possible applications.
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Relativity Reframed: Quantum Reference Frames and Gravity
Quantum reference frames (QRFs) have emerged as a powerful and rapidly developing framework in fundamental physics, providing a systematic approach to formulating theories without fixed classical backgrounds. By making explicit the relational structure of physical laws, QRFs supply concrete tools to define subsystems, observables, and quantum information in diffeomorphism-invariant and dynamically fluctuating spacetimes. Their applications span quantum gravity, algebraic and curved-spacetime quantum field theory, quantum information, cosmology, and phenomenology, refining our understanding of locality, causality, symmetry, and measurement beyond semiclassical regimes. In gravitational settings, QRFs clarify relational observables, edge modes, soft degrees of freedom, and entanglement in quantum spacetime, and shed new light on the role of observers in dynamical geometries.
This conference will convene researchers advancing these developments at a pivotal stage for the field. By bringing together high-energy theory, quantum foundations, and emerging experimental directions, the workshop aims to sharpen central conceptual questions, explore phenomenological implications, and strengthen the link between formal structure and operational meaning. The goal is to consolidate QRFs as a coherent framework for describing observers, information, and subsystems in a relational universe.
Invited Speakers
- Goncalo Araujo-Regado (OIST)
- Vijay Balasubramanian (University of Pennsylvania)
- Caslav Brukner (IQOQI Vienna)
- Thomas Galley (IQOQI Vienna)
- Kristina Giesel (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg)
- Dan Harlow (MIT)
- Luca Illesiu (UC Berkeley)
- Daan Janssen (University of York)
- Viktoria Kabel (ETH Zurich)
- Leon Loveridge (University of South-Eastern Norway)
- Luca Marchetti (IPMU Tokyo / OIST)
- Don Marolf (UC Santa Barbara)*
- Gautam Satishchandran (Princeton University)
- Antony Speranza (University of Amsterdam)
- Tomasz Taylor (Northeastern University)
- Yuko Urakawa (KEK)
- Jordan Wilson-Gerow (Carnegie-Mellon University)
- Ying Zhao (MIT)
- Kathryn Zurek (Caltech)
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Scientific Organizers- Josh Kirklin (Perimeter Institute)
- Laurent Freidel (Perimeter Institute)
- Rob Myers (Perimeter Institute)
- Philipp Hoehn (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology)
- Kasia Rejzner (University of York)
Supported in part by:
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Quantum Field Theory I (Core), Phys 601, October 26 - December 11, 2026
Quantum field theory for fermions and Quantum Electrodynamics. Study of interactions between fermions and bosons. Why fields?
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Relativity (Core), PHYS 604, October 26 - December 11, 2026
This course develops general relativity from first principles, building physical intuition from the equivalence principle before developing the coordinated basis formulation of curved spacetime. We cover both kinematics ( geodesics and geodesic deviation) and dynamics (the Einstein-Hilbert action, Einstein's field equations, and the uniqueness of GR via Lovelock's theorem). A significant portion is devoted to linearized gravity and gravitational waves, alongside the classical tests of GR and the causal structure of Rindler space-time & Schwarzschild black holes . The course is self-contained for newcomers, while it offers students with prior exposure something new to engage with.
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Selected Advanced Topics in Quantum Information, QIC 891, September 15 - October 29
Lean-verified Quantum Information Theory, Sep 15 - Oct 1 Instructor: Rodolfo Reis Soldati
We introduce formal theorem proving with the Lean 4 programming language, placing emphasis on developing Quantum Information Theory theorems and proofs. Formal proof writing is an increasingly important skill as Quantum Information grows more sophisticated, and as machine-verification tools gain popularity. Participants will learn core theorem-proving syntax, the basics of Lean’s own type theory, the notion and use of tactics, and will gain familiarity with the Mathlib and Physlib/QuantumInfo libraries.
Entanglement theory for quantum systems described by von Neumann algebras, Oct 6 - 29 Instructor: Lauritz van Luijk
In quantum systems with infinitely many degrees of freedom, pairs of subsystems can be infinitely entangled. But are there operationally distinct forms of infinite entanglement? This short course gives a basic mathematical introduction to von Neumann algebras and explains why, when, and how they can be used to describe finite and infinite quantum systems and their subsystems. We will formulate quantum information-theoretic properties, including examples from cryptography and entanglement theory, in this algebraic framework. We will then discuss how some of these operational properties are equivalent to structure-theoretic properties of the von Neumann algebras describing the subsystems. In particular, we answer the opening question by identifying entanglement properties, such as embezzlement of entanglement, that distinguish setups with non-isomorphic algebras. We will see how the classification of von Neumann algebras into types I, II, and III, together with their respective subtypes, can be formulated solely in terms of operational entanglement properties.
Location & Building Access: Please refer to each lecture listing on this site for class location as it will vary from week to week. Perimeter Institute, 31 Caroline St N, Waterloo Participants who do not have an access card for Perimeter Institute must sign in at the security desk before each session. For information on parking or accessibility please contact [email protected].
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Mathematical and Numerical Methods, PHYS 777, September 9 - December 11, 2026
This course introduces mathematical and numerical tools that are useful for various fields of theoretical physics. In the numerical part of the course, students will develop introductory programming skills in both Python and Mathematica. The mathematical part of the course covers three main topics: First, we will study basics of smooth manifolds, define forms on them, and then de Rham cohomology. Second, we will introduce homology theory, and explain in what sense it can be understood as dual to cohomology. Lastly, we will study homotopy theory. Throughout the course, we will emphasize many applications to physics.
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Classical Physics (Core), PHYS 612, September 9 - October 23, 2026
The aim of this course is to revisit much of the undergraduate classical physics curriculum in preparation to the study of both General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory. We will focus on the notion of symmetry and Noether's theorem in both mechanical and field theoretical systems (stress energy tensor). We will discuss the Lagrangian, or "action principle", and Hamiltonian, or "phase space", perspectives on mechanics and their mutual relationship. We will then discuss selected topics in special relativity and electrodynamics, culminating with the derivation of the Lienard-Wiechart potentials.
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Quantum Theory (Core), PHYS 605, September 9 - October 23, 2026
The aim of the first part is to present a brief overview of selected topics in quantum theory. Schrodinger, Heisenberg and Interaction picture is discussed and applied to study time evolution. Density matrices and Feynman path integrals are introduced. The second part of the course derives the Feynman rules for scalar quantum field theory and introduces renormalization.
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Beautiful Papers, September 1 - November 9, 2026
Structure:
We will discuss 8 papers which had huge impact in physics. One week Instructor Pedro Vieira will discuss a paper; students should read it beforehand. One week later students discuss recent papers referring to that paper (20 min each student, ~ 3 presentations; at the end of the class Pedro will grade the presentations based on “Physics”, “Presentation”, “Question handling”; and give comments).
By the end of the course, students will have explored a vast set of topics in theoretical physics — spotting potential gaps to be fixed — sharpened their presentation skills through steady practice, and sparked cross-disciplinary conversations through our shared physics language.
The papers: The papers we will cover (can find the pdfs in this spreadsheet):
Sept 1 & 8: On the Number of Prime Numbers less than a Given Quantity, Riemann, 1859
Sept 8 & 21: Limits on Massless Particles, Weinberg and Witten, 1980
Sept 22 & 28: Neural networks and physical systems with emergent collective computational abilities, Hopfield, 1982
Sept 29 & Oct 8: Anomalous Quantum Hall Effect: An Incompressible Quantum Fluid with Fractionally Charged Excitations, Laughlin, 1983
Oct 9 & 19: Why there is nothing rather than something, Coleman, 1988
Oct 20 & 26: Universality and Scaling in Gravitational Collapse of a Massless Scalar Field, Choptuik, 1993
Oct 27 & Nov 2: Simple geodesics and Weil-Petersson volumes of moduli spaces of bordered Riemann surfaces, Mirzakhani, 2007
Nov 3 & 9: Supersymmetry and Morse Theory, Witten, 1982
Location & Building Access: Please refer to the above spreadsheet for class location as it will vary from week to week. Perimeter Institute, 31 Caroline St N, Waterloo Participants who do not have an access card for Perimeter Institute must sign in at the security desk before each session. For information on parking or accessibility please contact [email protected].
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IGWN-PI School on Gravitational Waves
The International Gravitational Wave Network (IGWN) School is an intensive one-week program designed for graduate students and early-career researchers seeking to contribute to gravitational wave astronomy through engagement with the global LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA collaboration. The school will offer a comprehensive introduction to the science, infrastructure, techniques, and collaborative practices that underpin modern gravitational-wave astronomy given by leading scientists from across this international network of advanced gravitational-wave detectors. Participants will explore the many aspects of gravitational wave observations—from detector operations and characterization to data analysis and astrophysical interpretation—gaining the practical knowledge and methodological tools needed to contribute effectively to this large, worldwide scientific effort. Through lectures, tutorials, and interactive sessions, this program aims to foster a new generation of researchers capable of actively participating in a global collaboration of thousands of scientists working together to make groundbreaking discoveries.Topics include:- compact binary coalescence, continuous wave, and dark matter searches; building gravitational wave catalogs
- multi-messenger gravitational wave astronomy
- gravitational wave observatories, instrument science, and detector characterization
- structure and integrating into the collaboration
With funding support from:
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Lecturers:
Patrick Brady (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
Elenna Capote (LIGO Hanford Observatory)
Derek Davis (University of Rhode-Island)
Chad Hanna (Pennsylvania State University)
Jess McIver (University of British Columbia)
Lorenzo Mirasola (University of the Balearic Islands)
Barbara Patricelli (University of Pisa)
Jessica Steinlechner (Maastricht University)
Daniel Williams (The University of Glasgow)
Nicolas Arnaud (CNRS/IN2P3 & Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1)Tutorials:
Cort Posnansky (Pennsylvania State University)
Shio Sakon (Pennsylvania State University)
Harrison Siegel (Perimeter Institute)
Atidya Vijaykumar (CITA)Scientific Organizers:
Luis Lehner (Perimeter Institute)
Will East (Perimeter Institute)
Rob Coyne (University of Rhode Island)
Edward Porter (APC)
Lan Nguyen Quynh (Phenikaa University) -
TRISEP 2026
The 2026 Tri-Institute Summer School on Elementary Particles (TRISEP) will be held July 13-24 at Perimeter Institute.
TRISEP is an international summer school organized jointly by Perimeter Institute, SNOLAB, and TRIUMF, Canada's laboratory for particle and nuclear physics. TRISEP will feature lectures by leading experts in the fields of particle physics and particle astrophysics (broadly defined) and is designed to be very interactive with ample time for questions, discussions and interaction with the speakers. The school is intended for graduate students of all levels, both theorists and experimentalists, preferably with some knowledge of quantum field theory.
Previous TRISEP Schools:
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021,2019,2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
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Lecturers
Emil Bjerrum-Bohr (University of Copenhagen, NBI)
Marco Costa (Perimeter Institute)
Djuna Croon (Durham University)
Tyce De Young (Michigan State University)
Miriam Diamond (University of Toronto)
Sebastian Ellis (Kings College)
Seyda Ipek (Carleton University)
Will Percival (University of Waterloo, Perimeter Institute)
Mike Roney (University of Victoria)
Ira Rothstein (Carnegie Mellon University)
Gonzalo Villa (University of Cambridge)
Zach Weiner (Perimeter Institute)
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Cliff Burgess (McMaster University, Perimeter Institute)
Mina Arvanitaki (Perimeter Institute)
Marcela Carena (Perimeter Institute, University of Chicago)
Michael Fedderke (Perimeter Institute)
Junwu Huang (Perimeter Institute)
Sergei Sibiryakov (McMaster University, Perimeter Institute)
Carlos Wagner (University of Chicago) -
Introduction to Loop Quantum Cosmology, June 22 - June 24
This course is part of the 2026 Undergraduate Summer School curriculum. This course will provide a short introduction to loop quantum cosmology. After a brief overview of the physics and geometry underlying cosmology, we will explore how it is possible to obtain a quantum description of cosmology. As a part of this, we will discuss conceptual questions underlying quantum cosmology including the problem of time and the lack of an external observer, and some possible resolutions. Finally, we will see how loop quantum gravity motivates a particular quantization for cosmology that gives loop quantum cosmology. In the last part of the course, we will study the physics predicted by loop quantum cosmology in the primordial universe.