Events in Physics
Thursday, October 12, 2017
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Theory Seminar: David Jennings (Oxford), Thermodynamics, symmetry principles and quantum information, 1300 in PS1.28PS1.28The concept of irreversibility lies at the heart of physics and can often be a subtle thing to pin down. In recent years it has acquired new guises that are motivated by information-theoretic aims. For example in the case of quantum entanglement, intrinsically non-classical correlations may be utilised to achieve tasks such as quantum teleportation or quantum computing. However, the use of this entanglement results in its consumption, and a form of irreversibility that can be quantified and studied in a precise manner. Here I will describe recent work that arises from both the study of entanglement and also the development of symmetry principles beyond Noether's theorem. The approach allows us to extend thermodynamic concepts into arbitrarily non-classical regimes and leads to a range of new insights: it shows that quantum systems display a form of disorder at the nanoscale very different from that at macroscopic scales; it allows us to rigorously quantify the effects of quantum coherence in thermodynamic processes; it also provides a quantum information toolkit to extend gauge symmetries in many-body physics beyond Lagrangian formulations. The discussion will be an introduction to these concepts, and so no specialist knowledge of the area is assumed.
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The Leverhulme Trust invites applications for its visiting professorships. These enable UK institutions to host distinguished researchers from overseas, primarily to enhance the skills of academic staff or students at the host institution. Visiting professors may also wish to use the opportunity to further their own academic interests. Any field of research is eligible, excluding studies of disease, illness and disabilities in humans and animals, and research that is intended to inform clinical practice or the development of medical applications. Applications must be made by a member of academic staff, based in a UK university or other HEI, who will be responsible for co-ordinating the visit. Priority is given to new or recent collaborative ventures. Funding covers maintenance, travel expenses and research costs of visits that last between three and 12 months. Travel within the UK, laboratory consumables and essential technical assistance may also be covered. |