We’re 4 weeks into a new term, 1 week into a new federal administration, and we’re about to start comps talks.  Surely you’ve got something you want to come chat about?  Join us on zoom tomorrow (Tuesday) at 12:25 for some relaxing chat.  Join Zoom Meeting

Welcome to Comps talk season!  Our seniors have worked really hard since fall to be able to present to YOU!  Because of Covid restrictions, we will broadcast this year’s comps talks on Zoom.  All PHAS-related folk, including alumni, faculty emeriti, and family and friends are invited to attend.  Abstracts for the first three talks are below.

April Reisenfeld
Wednesday, January 27 2021
4:20 pm on Zoom

Understanding Randomness in Classical and Quantum Physics:

How often do you hear someone say something totally random? When was the last time you met a random person on the street (Ok fine, maybe a long time ago)? “Random” is a word often used colloquially to describe arbitrary, strange, or unexpected events regardless of a speaker’s capacity to know the event’s causal process. Scientifically, randomness is an inextricable unpredictability in a system’s dynamics which exists in both microscopic and macroscopic systems. This randomness manifests itself differently within our physical theories that describe these systems, namely classical and quantum mechanics. Not just a source of discomfort for

those clutching to universal determinism, physical randomness can be practically exploited to generate random numbers. In turn, these numbers provide validity and security to applications such as simulation, statistical sampling, and cryptography. In this talk, I hope to inspire inquiry into the true nature of randomness by upending common misconceptions, examining its prevalence in physics, and demonstrating its utility for generating random numbers. If nothing else, a deeper understanding of randomness in physics will be developed such that everyday use of the word may no longer seem appropriate.

Kyle Fraser-Mines

Friday, January 29 2021

4:20 pm on Zoom

The Carrington Event

From 1 September 1859 to 2 September 1859, Earth experienced the largest geomagnetic storm on record. There were sightings of visible auroras reaching to 18​°​ latitude and the telegraph system was shut down due to changes in the geomagnetic field. Richard Carrington, who the storm is named after, recorded observations of a bright light flash on the sun hours before the onset of magnetic disturbances. The combination of Carrington’s observations, the bright widespread auroras, and the disruption of the telegraphs lead scientists to determine the solar link between these phenomena. Since then scientists have made many discoveries allowing them to understand solar activity, the interaction between the geomagnetic field and the interplanetary magnetic field, and geomagnetic storms. Using modern knowledge on these topics I recreate the events leading up to the Carrington event and explain their effects on Earth. I begin by explaining the coronal mass ejection that caused the storm and how it traveled towards Earth. I then discuss how the magnetic fields interact and cause visible auroras. Finally, I discuss how the interaction with the geomagnetic field made the telegraph system essentially inoperable. In understanding this historic event I set the foundation for understanding how Earth would be affected if a similar geomagnetic storm were to occur today.

Eric Shao

Monday, February 1 2021

8:30 am on Zoom

Physics and Information

The Maxwell demon is solved by the arise of information from the thermodynamic system. In the talk we will investigate the connection between physics and information, but please bear in mind this is still an open question. In the first part, I want to show how thermodynamic entropy is related to and different from the information entropy. There will be a brief dive into the origin and the mathematical form of both entropy and some immediate consequences of them. In the second part, I want to show how we use physics to process information. Starting from physics principles, the Fermi-Dirac Distribution, to electronics, semiconductor, diodes, and transistor (particularly metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor) and finally reach logic gates, where information can be represented and process in the most basic way.

20-21 Comps Presentation Schedule

Student Research with Carleton Faculty (Towsley Endowment)

Application Deadline: Thursday, January 28, 2021, 5:00 PM

What: The Towsley Endowment provides financial support for Carleton students working with Carleton science and math faculty during the summer. Awards fund student summer stipends ($480/week for full time work) for up to 10 weeks.  Money for supplies is also available, typically up to $500 per student. Note that students must work full time in order to qualify (i.e. they must not hold another job during the award period).

Who: Carleton faculty in science and math departments and programs, including visiting faculty and faculty on continuing appointment, are eligible to apply. These include Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, Geology, Math, Neuroscience, Physics and Astronomy, Archaeology, and Psychology.

Some of the application questions include: Project title, description of your project, faculty and student development goals, mentoring plan, how many weeks and total amount of funds requested, other potential sources of funding, and other info relevant to the proposal.

More details are available in the application form.

Early Student Research Experience (Summer Science Fellowship)

Student Research at Another Institution (Kolenkow-Reitz Fellowship)

Application Deadline:  Monday, March 29, 2021,  5:00 PM

What: The Kolenkow-Reitz fellowship provides research support for Carleton students working with non-Carleton science and math faculty at another institution during the summer.  These research opportunities are intended to encourage Carleton students’ development as scientists and their exploration of mathematics and the sciences as a possible career. Awards fund student stipends ($480/week for full time work) for up to 10 weeks during the summer. Additional expenses up to $500 can be requested to help defray travel or research supply expenses.  Note that students must work full time in order to qualify.

Who:  Carleton students are eligible to apply for this funding. Before applying, students should have already contacted and discussed the nature and timing of their project with the person they are planning to work with as well as a faculty member at Carleton who can vouch for the project and its alignment with their professional development goals. Because the intent of the fellowship is exploration in STEM fields, priority is given to students who have completed coursework related to the proposed research, but who have not yet had a significant funded research experience (7 or more weeks). Please note that students previously supported through the Kolenkow-Reitz Fund (winter break or summer) are less likely to receive funding, but are still eligible to apply.

More details are available in the application form.

Questions?  Contact Amy Csizmar Dalal (adalal@carleton.edu)