3:00 pm in Howey Lecture Room 5 (pre-reception at 2:30 in Howey N201)
Marianna Safronova
University of Delaware
"Atomic Calculations for Future Technology and Study of Fundamental Problems"
The advancements in the experimental technologies and further development of the high-precision atomic theory methodologies lead not only to our better understanding of atomic properties, but also to remarkable opportunities for applications in many areas. I will report on various modern applications of the atomic calculations ranging from the study of fundamental interactions to applications of atomic physics to future technological developments, such as quantum computing and optical atomic clocks. Quantum computation is a new field of research that is aimed at using quantum nature of matter to produce fundamentally new methods of computation and simulation of physical systems. A new generation of atomic clocks, based on optical rather than microwave frequency standards, will open ways to improve global positioning systems and tracking of deep-space probes and perform more accurate measurements of the fundamental constants and testing of physics postulates.
