Events

April 4, 2014 at 6:00 am

Physics Colloquium: Visualizing Chemical Reactions and Light-Matter Interactions with Nanometer-Scale Resolution, April 4

The Physics & Astronomy Colloquium Series presents Jennifer Dionne of Stanford University on “Visualizing chemical reactions and light-matter interactions with nanometer-scale resolution” on Friday, April 4, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.

Abstract: In 1833, Faraday combined silver and sulfur and discovered the first material with a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, silver sulfide. At the time, the word semiconductor did not even exist. Yet we now know that this first semiconducting material laid the foundation for an entirely new and extremely important class of electronic materials. Today, a similar revolution is unfolding for optical materials. Textbook conceptions of light-matter interactions, such as the notions of exclusively positive refractive indices and reciprocal light propagation, are being redefined by new optical materials. These materials allow light to be controlled in ways previously thought impossible, providing techniques to circumvent the diffraction limit of light and tune both electric and magnetic light-matter interactions. In this presentation, I will describe my group’s efforts to develop such new optical materials, and use them to directly visualize, probe, and control nanoscale systems and phenomena — particularly those relevant to energy and biology.

Upcoming Spring 2014 Events

Colloquia are held in the Walter Hall, Room 245, on Fridays at 4:10 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Robert Austin of Princeton University on “Spatial evolutionary game of cancer: Applying Physics to Cancer” on Friday, April 11, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.

Nick Wu of the West Virginia University on “Plasmon-Enhanced Solar Energy Harvesting” on Friday, April 18, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.

Departmental Awards Gathering on Friday, April 25, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.

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