Quantum physics in strong fields ( PEW PEW LASERS!!)
Quantum physics in strong fields ( PEW PEW LASERS!!)
- Event time: 5:00pm until 6:00pm
- Event date: 17th October 2024
- Speaker: Dr Anton Ilderton (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
- Location: Alder Lecture Theatre, Nucleus Building, King's Buildings
Event details
All students and staff welcome.
This event is brought to you by the Edinburgh University Physics and Astronomy Society.
Speaker
Dr Anton Ilderton
Abstract
Lasers, and I mean big lasers (the kind that sadly won’t fit neatly onto a shark), create incredibly intense pulses of light (electromagnetic fields). Colliding particles, or other laser beams, with these intense fields allows us to investigate quantum, relativistic, nonlinear and non-perturbative physics.
In this talk Anton will describe the interesting opportunities presented by intense lasers for testing fundamental physics, in particular quantum electrodynamics (QED). He’ll describe current and future experimental investigations of radiation reaction, pair production and 'vacuum birefringence' and then briefly discuss the extremely high intensity regime where QED might behave very, very differently compared to everything we’ve observed to date….
Refreshments
Meet at 16.30 in the Nucleus Building foyer for tea and cakes prior to the talk.
About General interest seminars
Our General Interest Seminars are an opportunity for distinguished speakers to present new research in physics and related areas. The material presented is suitable for undergraduate level upwards and all members of the School are welcome to attend..