Scientific Series

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Fibonacci Anyons From Abelian Bilayer Quantum Hall States

Abolhassan Vaezi Cornell University
April 01, 2014

PIRSA:14040120
Condensed Matter
RG flows with N=1 supersymmetry

Henriette Elvang University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
April 01, 2014

PIRSA:14030074
High Energy Physics
The not-so-homogeneous universe

Phil Bull Queen Mary University of London
April 01, 2014

PIRSA:14040129
Astrophysics
Effective field theory for hydrodynamical systems

Alberto Nicolis Columbia University
March 28, 2014

PIRSA:14030121
High Energy Physics

Astrophysics
Possible Astrophysical Observables of Quantum Gravity Effects near Black Holes

Ue-Li Pen Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA)
March 27, 2014

PIRSA:14030115
General Relativity & Quantum Cosmology
Bungee jumping of black holes in AdS universe
March 27, 2014

PIRSA:14030108
General Relativity & Quantum Cosmology
The invasion of physics by information theory

Robert Spekkens Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
March 26, 2014

PIRSA:14030085
Quantum Physics
GeV Gamma-Rays from the Central Milky Way and the Case for Annihilating Dark Matter

Tracy Slatyer Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Department of Physics
March 26, 2014

PIRSA:14030120
High Energy Physics
Far from equilibrium energy flow in quantum critical systems
March 25, 2014

PIRSA:14030089
High Energy Physics
Naturalness and the Weak Gravity Conjecture

Clifford Cheung California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - Physics Office
March 25, 2014

PIRSA:14030119
High Energy Physics
Cosmic initial conditions and the CMB

Daniel Grin California Institute of Technology
March 25, 2014

PIRSA:14030112
Astrophysics
Ambiguities in order-theoretic formulations of thermodynamics

Harvey Brown University of Oxford
March 21, 2014

PIRSA:14030093
Quantum Physics

Fibonacci Anyons From Abelian Bilayer Quantum Hall States

Abolhassan Vaezi Cornell University
April 01, 2014

PIRSA:14040120
Condensed Matter
The possibility of realizing non-Abelian statistics and utilizing it for topological quantum computation (TQC) has generated widespread interest. However, the non-Abelian statistics that can be realized in most accessible proposals is not powerful enough for universal TQC. In this talk, I consider a simple bilayer fractional quantum Hall (FQH) system with the 1/3 Laughlin state in each layer, in the presence of interlayer tunneling. I show that interlayer tunneling can drive a continuous phase transition to an exotic non-Abelian state that contains the famous `Fibonacci' anyon, whose non-Abelian statistics is powerful enough for universal TQC. The analysis that I will present towards this result rests on startling agreements from a variety of distinct methods, including thin torus limits, effective field theories, and coupled wire constructions.

Next, I discuss the experimental aspects of our proposal and potential probes for the Fibonacci phase. I show that the charge gap remains open at the phase transition while the neutral gap closes. This raises the question of whether these exotic phases may have already been realized at nu=2/3 in bilayers, as past experiments may not have definitively ruled them out. Finally, I will discuss about the generalizations to multi-layer states as well as the duality between the interlayer pairing and interlayer tunneling problems.

Reference: arXiv:1403.3383
RG flows with N=1 supersymmetry

Henriette Elvang University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
April 01, 2014

PIRSA:14030074
High Energy Physics
The dilaton effective action plays a key role for the recent proof of the a-theorem by Schwimmer and Komargodski. In the presence of other massless modes, one may ask if this proof is affected. In particular, in renormalization group (RG) flows with N=1 supersymmetry, there is a natural massless partner of the dilaton, namely an axion field. I will discuss RG flows, the a-theorem, and the form of the N=1 supersymmetric dilaton-axion effective action and its physics.
The not-so-homogeneous universe

Phil Bull Queen Mary University of London
April 01, 2014

PIRSA:14040129
Astrophysics
The assumption of spatial homogeneity lies at the heart of the concordance cosmological model. But as I will discuss, truly solid empirical evidence for global (statistical) homogeneity is lacking, and tricky theoretical issues abound. I review a few recent advances in understanding the role inhomogeneity plays in cosmology, including some unexpected effects on light propagation, the death (and rebirth) of backreaction, and impending observational annoyances related to the lumpy local Universe. I'll also talk about some near-future observations that can give us a handle on these effects
Effective field theory for hydrodynamical systems

Alberto Nicolis Columbia University
March 28, 2014

PIRSA:14030121
High Energy Physics

Astrophysics
I will review a recently proposed formalism that describes fluids and superfluids in effective field theory terms. I will then focus on applying this formalism to peculiar string-like objects that exist in fluid systems: vortex lines and vortex rings. These do not obey Newton's second law, and, as a consequence, their behavior is highly counterintuitive. I will describe how effective field theory provides us with an optimal tool to understand how they move and how they interact with one another and with sound.
Possible Astrophysical Observables of Quantum Gravity Effects near Black Holes

Ue-Li Pen Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA)
March 27, 2014

PIRSA:14030115
General Relativity & Quantum Cosmology
Recent implications of results from quantum information theory applied to black holes has led to the confusing conclusions that requires either abandoning the equivalence principle (e.g. the firewall picture), or the no-hair theorem (e.g. the fuzzball picture), or even more unpalatable options. The recent discovery of a pulsar orbiting a black hole opens up new possibilities for tests of theories of gravity. We examine possible observational effects of semiclassical quantum gravity in the vicinity of black holes, as probed by pulsars and event horizon telescope imaging of flares. Pulsar radiation is observable at wavelengths only two orders of magnitude shorter than the Hawking radiation, so precision interferometry of lensed pulsar images may shed light on the quantum gravitational processes and interaction of Hawking radiation with the spacetime near the black hole. This paper discusses the impact on the pulsar radiation interference pattern, which is observable through the modulation index in the foreseeable future, and discusses a possible classical limit of BHC.
Bungee jumping of black holes in AdS universe
March 27, 2014

PIRSA:14030108
General Relativity & Quantum Cosmology
C-metric describes uniformly accelerated black holes. We will review a global structure of these solutions especially in Lambda<0 context. It turns out that for an acceleration larger than the cosmological one the metric describes pairs of black holes "bungee jumping" into spacetime from AdS infinity.
The invasion of physics by information theory

Robert Spekkens Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
March 26, 2014

PIRSA:14030085
Quantum Physics
When we think of a revolution in physics, we usually think of a physical theory that manages to overthrow its predecessor. There is another kind of revolution, however, that typically happens more slowly but that is often the key to achieving the first sort: it is the discovery of a novel perspective on an existing physical theory. The use of least-action principles, symmetry principles, and thermodynamic principles are good historical examples. It turns out that we can refine our understanding of many of these principles by characterizing certain properties of physical states as resources. I will discuss some of the highlights of two resource theories: the resource theory of asymmetry, which characterizes the relations among quantum states that break a symmetry; and the resource theory of athermality, which characterizes the relations among quantum states that deviate from thermal equilibrium. In particular, I will discuss how Noether's theorem does not capture all of the consequences of symmetries of the dynamics, and how the second law of thermodynamics does not capture all of the constraints on thermodynamic transitions. Finally, I will show that both asymmetry and athermality are informational resources, and that rehabilitated versions of Noether's theorem and the second law can both be understood as constraints on data processing. Considerations such as these---as well as evidence from other fronts of the invasion---make a compelling case for the revolutionary cause of reconceiving physics from an information-theoretic perspective.
GeV Gamma-Rays from the Central Milky Way and the Case for Annihilating Dark Matter

Tracy Slatyer Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Department of Physics
March 26, 2014

PIRSA:14030120
High Energy Physics
Past studies have identified a spatially extended excess of ~1-3 GeV gamma rays from the Galactic Center and inner Galaxy, consistent with the emission expected from annihilating thermal relic dark matter. I will describe recent improvements in the characterization of this signal, which demonstrate that it is spherically symmetric, centered on the Galactic Center, and with a spatial profile consistent with annihilation from a cusped NFW profile. The excess can be detected out to 10 degrees from the Galactic Center, which poses challenges for a millisecond pulsar origin; I will discuss the implications of a dark matter interpretation.
Far from equilibrium energy flow in quantum critical systems
March 25, 2014

PIRSA:14030089
High Energy Physics
We investigate far from equilibrium energy transport in strongly coupled quantum critical systems. Combining results from gauge-gravity duality, relativistic hydrodynamics, and quantum field theory, we argue that long-time energy transport after a local thermal quench occurs via a universal steady-state for any spatial dimensionality. This is described by a boosted thermal state. We determine the transport properties of this emergent steady state, including the average energy flow and its long-time fluctuations.
Naturalness and the Weak Gravity Conjecture

Clifford Cheung California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - Physics Office
March 25, 2014

PIRSA:14030119
High Energy Physics
The weak gravity conjecture (WGC) asserts a powerful consistency condition on gauge theories coupled to quantum gravity: an Abelian, long-range force requires a state of charge q and mass m such that q > m/mPl. Failure of this condition implies the existence of stable black hole remnants and is in tension with no-hair theorems. In this paper, we argue that the WGC creates a non- perturbative obstruction to naturalness, which is the notion that dimensionless coefficients should take on O(1) values in the absence of enhanced symmetry. As an illustration, we show that for scalar quantum electrodynamics, a natural spectrum can actually be forbidden by the WGC, which bounds a radiatively unstable quantity, m, by a radiatively stable quantity, q. More generally, the WGC can be at odds with naturalness in any theory containing charged fundamental scalars. We extend the conditions of the WGC to more complicated theories with multiple gauge symmetries and particles. Finally, we discuss implications for the hierarchy problem and construct a simple model in which the natural value of the electroweak scale—at the cutoff—is forbidden by the WGC.
Cosmic initial conditions and the CMB

Daniel Grin California Institute of Technology
March 25, 2014

PIRSA:14030112
Astrophysics
One new frontier in cosmology is the frequency spectrum of the CMB. Future instruments may be precise enough to measure deviations from the nearly-perfect blackbody, measuring a chemical potential and thus probing energy injection at extremely high redshift. I will discuss ($\mu$ and $y$-type) CMB spectral distortions from the dissipation of entropy (isocurvature)-sourced acoustic modes. I will then discuss how a high-energy phase transition could also source such distortions. I will then switch gears and talk about the possibility of measuring a spatial fluctuation in the baryon/DM ratio using the CMB, including recent observational results. I may also muse on the surprising possible connection between these compensated isocurvature modes and the anomalously low large-scale scalar power hinted at by Planck observations of the CMB temperature power spectrum and the recent claimed BICEP2 detection of primordial tensor modes
Ambiguities in order-theoretic formulations of thermodynamics

Harvey Brown University of Oxford
March 21, 2014

PIRSA:14030093
Quantum Physics
Since the 1909 work of Carathéodory, an axiomatic approach to thermodynamics has gained ground which highlights the role of the the binary relation of adiabatic accessibility between equilibrium states. A feature of Carathédory's system is that the version therein of the second law contains an ambiguity about the nature of irreversible adiabatic processes, making it weaker than the traditional Kelvin-Planck statement of the law. This talk attempts first to clarify the nature of this ambiguity, by defining the arrow of time in thermodynamics by way of the Equilibrium Principle (``Minus First Law''). It then examines the extent to which the 1989 axiomatisation of Lieb and Yngvason shares the same ambiguity, despite proposing a very different approach to the second law.

Title	Speaker(s)	Date	Talk Type	Info link
Fibonacci Anyons From Abelian Bilayer Quantum Hall States	Abolhassan Vaezi	2014-04-01	Scientific Series	View details
RG flows with N=1 supersymmetry	Henriette Elvang	2014-04-01	Scientific Series	View details
The not-so-homogeneous universe	Phil Bull	2014-04-01	Scientific Series	View details
Effective field theory for hydrodynamical systems	Alberto Nicolis	2014-03-28	Scientific Series	View details
Possible Astrophysical Observables of Quantum Gravity Effects near Black Holes	Ue-Li Pen	2014-03-27	Scientific Series	View details
Bungee jumping of black holes in AdS universe		2014-03-27	Scientific Series	View details
The invasion of physics by information theory	Robert Spekkens	2014-03-26	Scientific Series	View details
GeV Gamma-Rays from the Central Milky Way and the Case for Annihilating Dark Matter	Tracy Slatyer	2014-03-26	Scientific Series	View details
Far from equilibrium energy flow in quantum critical systems		2014-03-25	Scientific Series	View details
Naturalness and the Weak Gravity Conjecture	Clifford Cheung	2014-03-25	Scientific Series	View details
Cosmic initial conditions and the CMB	Daniel Grin	2014-03-25	Scientific Series	View details
Ambiguities in order-theoretic formulations of thermodynamics	Harvey Brown	2014-03-21	Scientific Series	View details

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Format results

Fibonacci Anyons From Abelian Bilayer Quantum Hall States

RG flows with N=1 supersymmetry

The not-so-homogeneous universe

Effective field theory for hydrodynamical systems

Possible Astrophysical Observables of Quantum Gravity Effects near Black Holes

Bungee jumping of black holes in AdS universe

The invasion of physics by information theory

GeV Gamma-Rays from the Central Milky Way and the Case for Annihilating Dark Matter

Far from equilibrium energy flow in quantum critical systems

Naturalness and the Weak Gravity Conjecture

Cosmic initial conditions and the CMB

Ambiguities in order-theoretic formulations of thermodynamics

Fibonacci Anyons From Abelian Bilayer Quantum Hall States

RG flows with N=1 supersymmetry

The not-so-homogeneous universe

Effective field theory for hydrodynamical systems

Possible Astrophysical Observables of Quantum Gravity Effects near Black Holes

Bungee jumping of black holes in AdS universe

The invasion of physics by information theory

GeV Gamma-Rays from the Central Milky Way and the Case for Annihilating Dark Matter

Far from equilibrium energy flow in quantum critical systems

Naturalness and the Weak Gravity Conjecture

Cosmic initial conditions and the CMB

Ambiguities in order-theoretic formulations of thermodynamics