Date/Time
Date(s) - 16/04/2025
10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location
Physics and Astronomy Department

ABB 102

Dr. Michael McNeil Forbes

Associate Professor
Washington State University

Profile Link

Title: From Cold Atoms to Neutron Stars: Quantum Simulations of Astrophysics

Abstract:

Cold-atom experiments are a powerful platform for exploring quantum phenomena relevant to other fields.  In this talk, I will discuss how cold atom experiments can be used as analog quantum computers to model aspects of nuclear astrophysics.  In particular, I will discuss the phenomena of pulsar glitches – sudden rapid increases in the pulsation rate of isolated neutron stars, despite a continuous loss of angular momentum.  These are believed to result from vortex pinning in superfluids comprised by the star, but this mechanism needs testing and validation by techniques that exceed the capabilities of classical computers: hence the need for quantum computing which currently exists in the form of cold-atom experiments.  I will also discuss some other interesting phenomena stimulated by this journey, including negative mass hydrodynamics, atom-interferometric imaging, and the possibility of quark nuggets as dark matter.

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