Bulletin of the American Physical Society
Four Corners Section 2022 Meeting
Volume 67, Number 14
Friday–Saturday, October 14–15, 2022; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Session J04: Physics Education and Quantum Info II |
Hide Abstracts |
Chair: Wolfgang Rudolph, UNM Room: UNM PAIS 1140 |
Saturday, October 15, 2022 8:30AM - 8:54AM |
J04.00001: Understanding student understanding in upper-division courses Invited Speaker: Bethany R Wilcox Upper-division physics courses require students not only to engage with complex physics concepts but also to utilize sophisticated mathematical tools. As such, understanding students' struggles and the barriers they encounter in upper-division courses often requires making sense of a complex problem-solving process. Here, I will discuss several approaches to analyzing student learning in upper-division courses which target different aspects of the problem-solving process. I will also discuss lessons learned and implications for the teaching of these courses. |
Saturday, October 15, 2022 8:54AM - 9:06AM |
J04.00002: Self-Reported Impacts of a Low-Risk Testing System on Student Experiences and Learning Objectives. Jeremy Kamin, Matthew D Sievert We explore the effects of a novel exam framing, which we refer to as “Low-Risk Testing,'' on student experiences and learning objectives in an Intermediate Mathematical Methods physics class. Student responses were obtained through recorded and transcribed interviews during and after the semester. Participants' self-reported experiences revealed common themes of Anxiety, Alignment with course materials, Time, and Metacognition. Students reported significant benefits to their anxiety from the Low-Risk Testing system, as well as significant benefits from the broader Alignment of the exam sequence with other integrated course components. This study can be used to refine pedagogical practices in physics to optimize student performance and retention. |
Saturday, October 15, 2022 9:06AM - 9:18AM |
J04.00003: QSCOUT: A Transparent Quantum Computing Testbed Melissa C Revelle, Ashlyn D Burch, Matthew N Chow, Megan Ivory, Daniel S Lobser, Christopher G Yale, Susan M Clark The Quantum Scientific Computing Open User Testbed (QSCOUT) is a small quantum computer located at Sandia National Laboratories based on trapped-ion qubits. This machine is designed to address the potential of near-term quantum hardware for scientific computing applications. This unique system is based around a Sandia microfabricated surface ion trap, high-fidelity Raman gates, and a custom assembly language JAQAL. Unlike many commercial alternatives, QSCOUT provides access at both the quantum-circuit level and at the pulse-control level to study gate construction and optimization. To fully realize the potential level of control, Sandia scientists interact directly with the QSCOUT users and collaborators. This talk will discuss the capabilities and results from the first round of users, plans for future developments and upcoming collaboration opportunities. |
Saturday, October 15, 2022 9:18AM - 9:30AM |
J04.00004: Quantum Information Science: The Human Brain and Neural Signaling Melanie Swan Mathematical advance in quantum information science is proceeding quickly and applies to many fields, particularly the complexities of neuroscience (here focusing on image-readable physical behaviors such as neural signaling, as opposed to higher-order operations of cognition, memory, and attention). Quantum mathematical models are extensible to neuroscience problem classes treating dynamical time series, diffusion, and renormalization in multiscalar systems. Approaches first reconstruct wavefunctions observed in EEG and fMRI scans. Second, single-neuron models (Hodgkin-Huxley, integrate-and-fire, theta neurons) and collective neuron models (neural field theories, Kuramoto oscillators) are employed to model empirical data. Third, genome physics is used to study time series sequence prediction in DNA, RNA, and proteins based on 3d+ complex geometry involving fields, curvature, knotting, and information compaction. Finally, quantum neuroscience physics is applied in AdS/Brain modeling, Chern-Simons biology (topological invariance), neuronal gauge theories, network neuroscience, and the chaotic dynamics of bifurcation and bistability (to explain epileptic and resting states). The potential benefit of this work is an improved understanding of disease and pathology resolution in humans. |
Saturday, October 15, 2022 9:30AM - 9:42AM |
J04.00005: Dynamics of a Timeless, Two-Particle System in One Dimension Zachary M Zito, Charles G Torre, Brittany Gentry The role of a time parameter is vital to a study of Physics, yet is often taken for granted. The traditional use of a constant, immutable time variable necessarily relies upon notions that are fundamentally unmeasurable and must, therefore, be assumed. Here, a simple, classical system is canonically approached and subsequently reformulated to preclude the ideal element of assumed time, retaining only an ideal element related to space. Time is then shown to have not been vital to the formulation originally, appearing as an emergent property rather than a fundamental axiom. A one dimensional, two particle system in a timeless framework — inspired by the models developed by Barbour and Bertotti —is presented. The system's Langrangian is defined in terms of position and momentum and the equations of motion are stated. An observable quantity T, constructed from observables in the system, serves as a relative time parameter and replaces the postulated absolute time τ, allowing for a system fully characterized by measurable, concrete quantities. Along with two other observables, T serves as the independent variable with respect to which relational properties of the entire system may be established. The physical and philosophic justifications and implications are expounded and examined. Time, it seems, is a concept abstracted from paths in configuration space and can be viewed as analogous to Mach’s principle of universal inertial reference frames. |
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