Professor Puckett's Research Homepage

Prof. Bryce Gadway, Penn State

Synthetic Dimensions in Rydberg Atom Array

Arrays of dipolar-interacting spins - magnetic atoms, polar molecules, and Rydberg atoms - represent powerful and versatile platforms for analog quantum simulation experiments. The internal state dynamics in these dipolar arrays provide a natural setting to explore problems of equilibrium and non-equilibrium quantum magnetism. The presence of many internal states of the atoms and molecules further enables studies of large-spin magnetism, but also holds promise for more general quantum simulation studies. Here we describe how the simple addition of multi-frequency microwave fields to Rydberg arrays enables highly controllable studies of few- and many-body dynamics along an internal-state “synthetic” dimension. I’ll discuss several early studies in the Rydberg synthetic dimension platform, touching on interaction-driven phenomena relevant to topology, artificial gauge fields, and disorder-induced localization. Looking forward, such microwave manipulation opens up several new directions for exploring complex, driven quantum matter in dipolar arrays.

Prof. Shohini Bhattacharya, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut

Exploring the Cosmic Core of Nucleons with the Electron-Ion Collider

Have you ever wondered what holds the universe together at its most fundamental level? The answer lies in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the theory that describes how quarks and gluons—collectively known as partons—interact to form nucleons, the protons and neutrons that make up all visible matter. Despite our understanding of QCD, the inner workings of partons remain one of the most profound mysteries in physics. How do they move? How do they contribute to a nucleon’s spin and structure? The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a cutting-edge facility soon to be operational, is poised to address these profound questions. In this talk, I will take you on a journey into the “cosmic core” of nucleons and explain how the EIC, like a super-powered microscope, will enable us to peer deep inside protons and neutrons, unveiling the dynamics of partons. I will focus on one of my key research projects aimed at unraveling the nucleon spin puzzle using the capabilities of the EIC. But the excitement doesn’t end there. Advancing our understanding of QCD not only helps us probe nucleons but also allows us to test the Standard Model of particle physics, our most comprehensive theory of the universe. Together, we will explore the far-reaching implications of this research field.

Román Fernández Aranda, Department of Physics, University of Crete and FORTH Institute of Astrophysics, Greece

A Burning Hot DOG: The extreme ISM conditions of the most luminous obscured galaxy in The Universe

Hot dust-obscured galaxies (or Hot DOGs) are a remarkable population of high-redshift galaxies. Hot DOGs harbor hyper-luminous supermassive black holes (SMBHs), which are believed to provide strong feedback, creating extreme conditions in the interstellar medium (ISM) of their host galaxies in recurrent episodes of strong accretion and heavy obscuration. W2246-0526 is a Hot DOG at redshift 4.6 and the most luminous obscured galaxy known to date. I will present ALMA observations of both the brightest far-IR fine-structure emission lines and their underlying dust continuum, combined with ISM modeling of the gas and the dust. This work sheds light on the extreme conditions galaxies can experience during the early stages of the Universe, which is critical to our understanding of how distant and young galaxies evolve.

Prof. Jun Ye, University of Colorado and JILA

Title and abstract TBA

Dr. Zach Luppen, SpaceX

Title and abstract TBA