Bulletin of the American Physical Society
2021 Annual Meeting of the APS Four Corners Section
Volume 66, Number 11
Friday–Saturday, October 8–9, 2021; Virtual; Mountain Daylight Time
Session M01: Plenary III |
Hide Abstracts |
Chair: Patricia Rankin, Arizona State University |
Saturday, October 9, 2021 2:45PM - 3:15PM |
M01.00001: Measuring states of laser light beyond the quantum noise limit Invited Speaker: F. Elohim Becerra Quantum mechanics sets fundamental limits on how well we can distinguish different states of a physical system with intrinsic quantum noise. This quantum noise defines the limit in sensitivity and information capacity in conventional coherent communications with laser light, known as the quantum noise limit (QNL). In the 70's, Carl W. Helstrom showed that there are measurements that use information from the quantum properties of light and detection of single photons that allow for overcoming the conventional limits of detection for nonorthogonal states of light, such as light from a laser [1]. Helstrom's revolutionary work triggered many theoretical works investigating feasible measurements for coherent states that exceed the QNL and approach the limits allowed by quantum mechanics. These quantum measurements have great potential for improving security in quantum communications and optimizing information transfer in optical communications. In this talk, I will describe our theoretical and experimental work on measurement strategies for coherent state discrimination below the QNL. These strategies are based on optimized adaptive measurements with photon counting and have sensitivities that exceed the QNL under realistic noisy and lossy conditions. These new measurements can improve the transfer of information in communications beyond the classical limits of coherent detection. [1] Helstrom, C. W. ``\textit{Quantum Detection and Estimation Theory},'' Mathematics in Science and Engineering 123 (Academic Press, 1976). [Preview Abstract] |
Saturday, October 9, 2021 3:15PM - 3:45PM |
M01.00002: Search for new phenomena and cosmic accelerators with high energy neutrinos Invited Speaker: Carsten Rott We have arrived at a special moment in time, where we can now observe the Universe in fundamentally new ways using high energy neutrinos, gamma rays, cosmic-rays, and gravitational waves. By viewing the Universe through these cosmic messengers and in their combination, an era of discoveries awaits us. This talk will be focused on the tremendous progress that has been achieved on the neutrino frontier in our cosmic exploration. Latest results from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory including the detection of an event at the Glashow resonance energy, the observation of a diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux, hints for clustering in the neutrino skymap and the multi-messenger observation of a flaring blazar coincident with energetic neutrino emissions will be reviewed. Prospects for discovering more extra-terrestrial high-energy neutrino sources, including those in our solar system, and ways to search for hints of physics beyond the standard model at energy scales beyond the reach of accelerators will be discussed. Plans for upgrades to the IceCube detector and how the IceCube's multi-messenger science program can be critically enhanced using a novel camera-based calibration system will be reviewed. The talk will conclude with a vision for the next-generation of neutrino observatories. [Preview Abstract] |
Saturday, October 9, 2021 3:45PM - 4:15PM |
M01.00003: Measuring student learning across the physics curriculum Invited Speaker: Bethany Wilcox The ability to measure what students are learning (or not) is a crucial component of crafting effective learning environments. In particular, low-stakes, standardized diagnostic assessments can provide a valuable tool for tracking student learning over time and between instructional approaches to identify effective strategies that improve students’ understanding of core physics content. While the field of physics education research (PER) has created a number of these assessment instruments targeting content from introductory mechanics up to senior-level thermal physics, there are still many barriers to broad adoption of these assessments. In this talk, I will articulate the value of these standardized assessments in the context of improving physics programs broadly, some of the barriers instructors encounter in identifying and implementing these assessments in their courses, as well as some of the techniques and approaches assessment developers have identified to overcome these barriers. [Preview Abstract] |
Follow Us |
Engage
Become an APS Member |
My APS
Renew Membership |
Information for |
About APSThe American Physical Society (APS) is a non-profit membership organization working to advance the knowledge of physics. |
© 2024 American Physical Society
| All rights reserved | Terms of Use
| Contact Us
Headquarters
1 Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3844
(301) 209-3200
Editorial Office
100 Motor Pkwy, Suite 110, Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 591-4000
Office of Public Affairs
529 14th St NW, Suite 1050, Washington, D.C. 20045-2001
(202) 662-8700