Edinburgh Programme – 2012 / 13 All talks start at 7.30pm in the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22 - 26 George Street, with refreshments from 7.00 pm

Download the talk abstracts and speaker biographies at: http://home.eps.hw.ac.uk/~phyrrt/IOPinEdinburgh2012_2013.htm

Tuesday 6th November 2012

Prof. Jeremy O’Brien (University of Bristol)

Photonic Quantum Technologies

Tuesday 11th December 2012

Dr Craig Buttar (University of Glasgow)

Hunting the Higgs at the LHC

Tuesday 22nd January 2013

Prof. Richard Schilizzi (University of Manchester)

The Square Kilometre Array

Tuesday 12th February 2013

Prof. Simon Laughlin FRS (University of Cambridge)

Design Secrets of Energy Efficient Brains

Tuesday 26th March 2013

Dr Daniele Faccio (Heriot-Watt University)

Black Holes, White Holes and Bathtub physics

Free and open to non-members

For more information contact Robert Thomson (R.R.Thomson@hw.ac.uk)

Institute of Physics in Scotland, Edinburgh Programme – 2012 / 13

Tuesday 6th November 2012 - Prof. Jeremy O’Brien (University of Bristol) Lecture Title: Photonic Quantum Technologies

Abstract: The first quantum technology that harnesses quantum mechanical effects for its core operation has arrived in the form of commercially available quantum key distribution systems. This technology achieves enhanced security by encoding information in photons such that an eavesdropper in the system can be detected. Anticipated future quantum technologies include large-scale secure networks, enhanced measurement and lithography, and quantum information processors, which promise exponentially greater computational power for particular tasks. Photonics is destined to have a central role in such technologies owing to the high-speed transmission and outstanding low-noise properties of photons. These technologies will undoubtedly apply and drive state-of-the-art developments in photonics.

Tuesday 11th December 2012 - Dr Craig Buttar (University of Glasgow) Lecture Title: Hunting the Higgs at the LHC

Abstract: The Higgs boson is the last missing element of the jigsaw that is the Standard Model of Particle Physics. It has been the target of many searches in a range of experiments since it was predicted, but eluded discovery. The Large Hadron Collider at CERN and the experiments: ATLAS and CMS, were built to finally answer the question: "Does the Higgs boson exist?" In this talk, I will discuss why the Higgs boson is a central part of the Standard Model of Particle Physics and talk about some of the early searches. The discovery of a new particle at CERN will be presented and whether this answers the question; "Does the Higgs boson exist?" will be discussed.

Tuesday 22nd January 2013 - Prof. Richard Schilizzi (University of Manchester) Lecture Title: The Square Kilometre Array

Abstract: The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be the premier instrument to study the thermal and non-thermal radiation at centimetre and metre wavelengths from the cosmos, in particular from the most abundant element in the universe, neutral hydrogen. Its science impact will be widely felt in astro-particle physics and cosmology, fundamental physics, galactic and extragalactic astronomy, solar system science and astrobiology. The SKA will have a collecting area of up to one million square metres spread over at least 3000 km, providing a sensitivity 40 times higher than the Jansky Very Large Array. Its instantaneous reception pattern on the sky will be several tens of square degrees, many times that of existing instruments, with potentially several large (100 square degree), independent fields-of-view for multiple simultaneous users. The SKA will be an extremely powerful survey telescope with the capability to follow up individual objects with high angular and time resolution. The SKA design involves parabolic dishes with innovative feeds to maximize a combination of spatial and frequency coverage, and, at the lower frequencies, phased arrays that offer new operational capabilities. Much of the required technology is currently being developed in the course of specific design studies and the construction of several SKA Pathfinder instruments around the world. The talk will summarise the science case for the SKA, and provide an update on the design, prototyping, and site development activities.

Tuesday 12th February 2013 - Prof. Simon Laughlin FRS (University of Cambridge) Lecture Title: Design Secrets of Energy Efficient Brains

Abstract: Brains are remarkably energy efficient, our 15 watt brain outperforms megawatt supercomputers, and new theories and experiments are showing how this is achieved. Brains mix computationally efficient analogue with robust digital, in massively parallel architectures, in which only a small proportion of neurons signal at any one time. Brains miniaturise components to limits set by molecular noise and optimize wiring. The neurons that process information avoid wasting power. Like a nightmarish Physics PhD student, they work as slowly and inaccurately as possible, using Chemistry as often as possible. Molecular chemistry, implemented by proteins, computes efficiently - close to thermodynamic limits - and is easier to connect into circuits than molecular electronics. Importantly the brain’s winning “technology”, cell biology, supports smart wetware. Neurons use internal microprocessors to allocate molecules to tasks, according to ongoing needs. Hopefully, these principles of energy efficient design will help us to unlock brains’ bigger secrets. Tuesday 26th March 2013 - Dr Daniele Faccio (Heriot-Watt University) Lecture Title: Black Holes, White Holes and Bathtub physics Black Holes Abstract: Black holes, the remnants of stars that have collapsed under the effect of their own weight, provide an important tool for probing and testing the fundamental laws that govern our Universe. However, this probing and testing usually involves theoretical models, equations, computer simulations. Actual experiments seem to be well without reach as we may only passively observe from far away the black holes that lie at the centre of distant galaxies. We have no way to interact directly with them. But wouldn't it be marvellous if we could maybe at some level, actually hope to directly interact with these mysterious objects? Einstein taught us how the laws of gravity and of black holes too, are governed by geometry. The geometries we need to deal with, at first sight appear to be strange, mind bending mixtures of space and time. And here lies the surprise: these curved and wonderful geometries can be found in rather commonplace situations such as in the patterns formed by water flowing out of the tap into your bathtub or in a flowing river. They may also be found in more "sciency" situations that require the use of high power lasers. Black holes, white holes, rotating black holes - these are just some of the objects we can now recreate and study in controlled laboratory conditions, thus opening a fascinating window to the most extreme events in the Universe.