Talks

The fundamental constants of our universe may have been set to maximize the production of similar universes, through repeated parametric variation. In this context, I will advocate that by the time the maximum entropy producer in our universe has reached maximum complexity, the majority of its energy should be re-purposed towards the production of additional universes. This builds on elements of prior proposals, including cosmological natural selection, the nonsingular universe, and the causal entropic principle. The phenomena and properties of dark matter, which realizes this proposal by copious conversion of halo baryons to black holes in ten trillion years, will be discussed.

If we want a mechanism for the current cosmic expansion that is alternative to (and possibly more “natural” than) the cosmological constant, there exist intriguing proposals within the dark energy and modified gravity realm.

First, I will briefly review the status of one of the most promising ideas, massive gravity: cosmological solutions, some formal aspects and recent developments. Then, I will present recent work aimed at constraining such models with LSS probes. 

Abstract:  Complex networks describe interacting systems ranging from the brain to the Internet. While so far the geometrical nature of complex networks has been mostly neglected, the novel field of network geometry is crucial for gaining a deeper theoretical understanding of the architecture of complexity. At the same time, network geometry is at the heart of quantum gravity, since many approaches to quantum gravity assume that space-time is discrete and network-like at the quantum level. In network geometry a crucial problem is the identifications of mechanisms to describe emergent network geometry. In this talk, after an introduction to complex network theory, l will present a class of non–equilibrium models [1-4] in which geometrical properties of the networks emerge spontaneously from their dynamics. Specifically we will discuss the model called network geometry with flavor (NGF).The NGF can generate discrete geometries of different nature, ranging from chains and higher dimensional manifolds to scale-free complex networks. Interestingly the NGF with fitness of the nodes reveals relevant relations with quantum statistics. In fact the faces of the NGF have generalized degrees that follow either the Fermi-Dirac, Boltzmann or Bose-Einstein statistics depending on their flavor and on their dimensionality. Specifically, NGFs with flavor s=-1, when constructed in dimension d=3 gluing tetrahedra along their triangular faces, have the generalized degrees of the triangular faces, of the links, and of the nodes following respectively the Fermi-Dirac, the Boltzmann or the Bose-Einstein distribution. 

[1] G. Bianconi, Interdisciplinary and physics challenges in network theory, EPL 111, 56001 (2015).
[2] Z. Wu, G. Menichetti C. Rahmede G. Bianconi, Emergent Complex Network Geometry, Scientific Reports 5, 10073 (2015).
[3] G. Bianconi and C. Rahmede, Complex Quantum Network Manifolds are Scale-Free in d>2, Scientific Reports 5, 13979 (2015)
[4] G. Bianconi and C. Rahmede, Network geometry with flavor: from complexity to quantum geometry, arxiv:1511.04539 (2015)

LIGO's first observing run which ended in January 2016 yielded two unambiguous gravitational wave signals (GW150914 and GW151226) from the merger of binary black holes as well as a possible third signal (LVT151012). I will review our current estimates of the parameters of the source systems as well as possible formation scenarios. I will discuss how joint analyses of GW150914 and GW151226 allow us to place bounds on departures from general relativity, infer astrophysical binary black hole formation rates, and constrain the mass distribution of coalescing black hole systems. Additionally, I will review the status of searches for other types of gravitational wave signals in data from LIGO's first observing run as well as the implications of the nondetection of gravitational waves from the merger of binary neutron star and neutron-star-black-hole systems. Finally, with the start of LIGO's second observing run within the next few weeks, I will outline our expectations for new detections and scientific prospects.

Entanglement is fundamental to quantum mechanics. It is central to the EPR paradox and Bell’s inequality. Tensor network states constructed with explicit entanglement structures have provided powerful new insights into many body quantum mechanics. In contrast, the saddle points of conventional Feynman path integrals are not entangled, since they comprise a sequence of classical field configurations. The path integral gives a clear picture of the emergence of classical physics through the constructive interference between such sequences, and a compelling scheme for adding quantum corrections using diagrammatic expansions.  We combine these two powerful and complementary perspectives by constructing Feynman path integrals over sequences of matrix product states, such that the dominant paths support a degree of entanglement. We develop a general formalism for such path integrals and give a couple of simple examples to illustrate their utility [arXiv:1607.01778].