"Topological Quantum Computation"

The idea behind quantum computing is to exploit peculiar properties of quantum mechanics to do calculations not possible with conventional computers. One of many difficulties in building a quantum computer is in avoiding errors caused by decoherence. Topological quantum computation avoids many possible errors by storing the information topologically, so that local disturbances do not disentangle the state. In this talk I will describe how this works, and describe several two-dimensional quantum systems which may have the behavior necessary to realize topological quantum computation in the laboratory.

"The Superconformal R-symmetry, the a-theorem, and AdS/CFT"

I will discuss a global symmetry of N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories known as the R-symmetry and describe how it enables us to glean information about renormalization group (RG) flows in such theories via a technique called 'a-maximization'. I will show how this technique can be applied toward a proof of the supersymmetric version of Cardy's a-theorem which states that RG flows in 4d theories are necessarily irreversible. I will also show how reconciling a-maximization with its dual under the AdS/CFT correspondence naturally leads to a new tool for analyzing the R-symmetry. The hope is that a better understanding of RG flows in the supersymmetric case will teach us something about the nonsupersymmetric case.

"Geometry of N=1 Vacua"

Using techniques of algorithmic algebraic geometry, we present a new and efficient method for explicitly computing the vacuum space of N=1 gauge theories. We emphasize the importance of finding special geometric properties of these spaces in connecting phenomenology to guiding principles descending from high-energy physics.

"From Galaxy Clustering Measurements to Galaxy Formation Physics and Cosmology"

Measurements of the universe on large scales (most notably using Cosmic Microwave Background and supernovae data) have led to a dominant cosmological model (Lambda-CDM) that is highly successful in predicting the large-scale structure of the universe. Much of the focus of testing this model has thus shifted to the small scales of galaxies and clusters of galaxies, where large astronomical surveys have recently produced measurements with unprecedented precision. I will discuss how we can harness the power of these large surveys to learn about cosmology and galaxy formation physics. Along the way, I will present results from galaxy clustering measurements in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

"Z Boson Propagator Correction in Technicolor Theories with ETC Effects Included"

We calculate the Z boson propagator correction, as described by the S parameter, in technicolor theories with the four-fermi interaction induced by extended technicolor interactions included. Our method is to solve the Bethe-Salpeter equation for the requisite current-current correlation functions. It is found that the inclusion of extended technicolor interactions has very little effect on S. From an abstract field-theoretic point of view, we also calculate the S in arbitrary values of gauge and four-fermi couplings.

"The holographic resurrection of bosonic technicolor"

We consider a technicolor model in which the expectation value of an additional, possibly composite, scalar field is responsible for the generation of fermion masses. We define the dynamics of the strongly coupled sector by constructing its holographic dual. Using the AdS/CFT correspondence, we study the S parameter and the phenomenology of the light technihadrons. We find that the S parameter is small over a significant region of the model's parameter space. The particle spectrum is distinctive and includes a non-standard Higgs boson as well as heavier hadronic resonances. Technihadron masses and decay rates are calculated holographically, as functions of the model's parameters.

Cancelled!! Postponed to May 7.

"First Oscillation Results from the MiniBooNE Experiment at Fermilab"

Initial results from a search for muon neutrino to electron neutrino oscillations by the MiniBooNE Collaboration will be reported. MiniBooNE was motivated by the result from the LSND experiment which presented evidence for oscillations at high Δm² (around 1 eV²). The MiniBooNE experiment uses a high intensity neutrino beam produced by protons from the Fermilab Booster accelerator; the average muon neutrino energy for this beam is ~800 MeV. A 1 kton pure mineral oil detector instrumented with ~1500 photomultiplier tubes is placed 540 m away from the production target and used to identify and measure muon and electron neutrino events. MiniBooNE performed a "blind" analysis, where all analysis selections and fitting procedures are determined before candidate electron neutrino events are examined. Results of this analysis will be presented for the current data set corresponding to 5.58×10²⁰ protons on target.

"Pulsar Kicks with Modified URCA and Electrons in Landau Levels"

Postponed till the Fall Semester.

"First Oscillation Results from the MiniBooNE Experiment at Fermilab"

Initial results from a search for muon neutrino to electron neutrino oscillations by the MiniBooNE Collaboration will be reported. MiniBooNE was motivated by the result from the LSND experiment which presented evidence for oscillations at high Δm² (around 1 eV²). The MiniBooNE experiment uses a high intensity neutrino beam produced by protons from the Fermilab Booster accelerator; the average muon neutrino energy for this beam is ~800 MeV. A 1 kton pure mineral oil detector instrumented with ~1500 photomultiplier tubes is placed 540 m away from the production target and used to identify and measure muon and electron neutrino events. MiniBooNE performed a "blind" analysis, where all analysis selections and fitting procedures are determined before candidate electron neutrino events are examined. Results of this analysis will be presented for the current data set corresponding to 5.58×10²⁰ protons on target.