Colloquium

Upcoming Colloquium

Theory of (Quantum) Computation
Dr. Thomas Baker, University of Victoria, Canada

April 28, 2025
11:00am in HSCI-105

Thomas Baker

Classical computers rely on moving discrete bits of electronic information around in a circuit. Rethinking the basic storage unit not as a classical charge but in-stead as a superposition of quantum states can open more possibilities. Exactly how many is an open research topic in the field of quantum computing. Methods on the quantum computer can span between quantum chemistry and into computer science. In this talk, I develop the basic building blocks used this field and some of the known successes. I will discuss how to compute some of the most ubiquitous quantities in physics and chemistry, related to density functional theory and gradients of logarithm-determinants. I will also discuss open challenges on the quantum computer that must be overcome to achieve working algorithms that surpass classical methods in the context of computer science. Given time, I will discuss opportunities for M.Sc. graduates in Canada.

controlled quantum phase estimation
Fig.: A controlled quantum phase estimation for computing the gradient of a logarithm determinant from an eigenvector (arXiv: 2501.09413).

About the Colloquium

The Colloquium is a unique opportunity for students to learn about new developments in physics and what physicists do after they graduate. Hosted by the Physics and Astronomy Department at California State University, Long Beach, the weekly meetings invite guests from universities, research laboratories, and industry to present and discuss current topics in physics. All students are encouraged to attend for a well-rounded experience and training in physics.

Colloquium Coordinator

For information and suggestions about the colloquium please contact the colloquium coordinator:

Dr. Zoltan Papp
Zoltan.Papp@csulb.edu

Schedule

Spring 2025 Colloquia
DateTitleSpeaker and Affiliation
April 28, 2025Theory of (Quantum) ComputationDr. Thomas Baker, University of Victoria, Canada
May 5, 2025Physics Student Research PresentationsPhysics Students, CSU Long Beach
May 7, 2025Physics Student Research PresentationsPhysics Students, CSU Long Beach

Previous Colloquia

Previous Spring 2025 Colloquia
DateTitleSpeaker and Affiliation
April 21, 2025Advancing Stellar Activity and Binary Evolution Science with Rapidly Rotating RGB StarsDr. Don Dixon, Vanderbilt University
April 14, 2025Distributed Charge Compton Sources - From Nuclear Photonics to MedicineDr. C.P.J. Barty, UC Irvine
April 7, 2025Resurrecting the Past: The Undying Relevance of 19th Century Physics for Stellar CorpsesDr. Thomas Klaehn, CSU Long Beach
March 24, 2025Design and construction of a Nitrogen-Vacancy mediated Optical Detection Magnetic Resonance (NV-ODMR) Spectrometer -- aka, a high-density Quantum Sensor PlatformDr. Karoly Holczer, UCLA
March 10, 2025Topological semimetals in heavy fermion compoundsDr. Silke Paschen, Vienna University
March 3, 2025Illuminating the Dark SectorDr. Daniel Diaz, UC San Diego
February 24, 2025Nontrivial band-topology in dimerized quantum magnetsDr. Judit Romhanyi, UC Irvine
February 17, 2025Advances in Hadron Physics from Color-Confining Light-Front Holography: A Novel Nonperturbative Approach to Color Confinement, Hadron Spectroscopy, and DynamicsDr. Stanley Brodsky, Stanford University
February 10, 2025An Overview of AI and Machine Learning Research at the
Nevada National Security Sites		Dr. Arnulfo Gonzalez, National Nuclear Security Site, Las Vegas
January 27, 2025Femtosecond Laser Eye Surgery: The Journey from Discovery to Commercial ProductsDr. Tibor Juhasz, UC Irvine
February 3, 2025Who’s Afraid of Quantum Interference?Dr. Matthew Leifer, Chapman University

The Colloquium Archive has the Colloquia from previous semesters.

Sponsors

We acknowledge with gratitude donations and support from the following present sponsors:

  • H.E. and H.B. Miller and Family Endowment
  • Benjamin Carter
  • American Physical Society
  • Anonymous

We also acknowledge with gratitude our past donors: The Forty-Niner Shops, Inc., The Northrop Grumman Foundation, Sandra Dana, Anonymous.

If you wish to support the Colloquium, please contact the colloquium coordinator or the department chair. Thank you!