Forensic Physics – Ramon Torres-Isea (Sessions 1 & 2) (SESSION 1 & 2 FULL)
A fiber is found at a crime scene. Can we identify what type of fiber it is and can we match it to a suspect’s fiber sample, for example from a piece of clothing? Likewise, someone claims to have valuable ancient Roman coins, a newly-found old master painting, or a Viking map of America predating Columbus’ voyage. Are they authentic or fakes? How can we determine that using some physics-based techniques? (These are real examples the Viking map proved to be a forgery). Also for example, how is a laser-based molecular-probing technique used to stop criminals from trading billions of dollars of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and endangering thousands of lives? These are a few among many examples of experimental physics methods applied to several areas of Forensics. In this session, students will be introduced to these methods and have opportunities to make measurements using molecular, atomic and nuclear forensic techniques. In addition, applications to medical imaging and diagnostics will be introduced. Students will be working at our Intermediate and Advanced Physics Laboratories with the underlying physics for each method presented in detail, followed by demonstrations and laboratory activities, which include the identification of an “unknown” sample. Various crime scenes will challenge students to select and apply one or more of the methods and use their Forensic Physics skills to conduct investigations.
From Nuclei to Particles: Physics at the Smallest Scales – Jianming Qian (Session 1) (FULL)
Ever wonder how stars produce their energy? How did the Universe evolve in its first second? What are the fundamental building blocks of Nature? How do particles interact with each other? How do we study physical phenomena at the shortest distances? These are example questions that this course will try to answer. The course will be divided into three distinct but related subjects: nuclear physics, standard model of particle physics, and particle-matter interaction and detection. We will begin with a short introduction of modern physics, followed by discussions of topics in nuclear physics including nuclear stability and decays, energy generation through nuclear fission and fusion processes, and nucleosynthesis. We will then go over the standard model (SM) of particle physics, introducing quarks and leptons and reviewing major discoveries that led to the development of the SM. Finally, we will survey techniques and tools for studying physics at the smallest scales including particle accelerators and radiation detectors.
From Physics through Biology to Medicine – Ari Gafni (Session 3) (FULL)
From its humble beginning in the early 19th century in explaining the mechanics of steam engines, the branch of physics called thermodynamics evolved to provide a foundation on which the scientific discipline called biophysics was built. Current biophysicists use a variety of concepts and tools from physics chemistry and biology to address important problems in basic, applied, and medical sciences. In this course we will discover how biophysicists approach scientific problems, what tools they use in their research, and highlight several interesting areas of current research. The lectures will begin by reviewing the rules of thermodynamics in a clear and intuitive way, including demonstrations and lab experiments. We will then move to discuss the intriguing and complicated question of how a protein molecule, initially produced as a long linear chain of amino acids devoid of biological activity, undergoes metamorphosis into a precisely folded structure that is perfectly designed to fulfill its specific function. This question, called the protein folding problem, has been studied by both theoretical and experimental approaches and therefore serves as an excellent introduction into biophysics. Using hemoglobin as our protein example, we will explore its biological function in transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues and discuss how it performs this task with great efficiency. We will learn how hemoglobin’s structure was solved and how this knowledge has been used to explain in detail its mechanism of function. Finally, we will see how using purely biophysical approaches led to the discovery of the molecular origin of the devastating disease sickle cell disease, a disease that involves an aberrantly folded hemoglobin molecule. This discovery led to the development of a therapeutic approach to this disease. We will end by discussing several other protein folding diseases where research to explain their molecular origin is still at the forefront of biophysics.
Informational Thermodynamics: Turning Knowledge Into Power – Sean Fancher (Session 2) (FULL)
As you read these words, your brain is performing an incredible feat. Oxygen and sugar molecules are being broken down to fire neurons in intricate patterns, thus allowing you to decipher the message stored within this paragraph. This is one of the many, many ways in which we consume energy to generate information on a daily basis. However, if it is not only possible but commonplace to convert energy into information, is it also possible to run such a process in reverse and literally turn knowledge into power? In this course we will explore this intriguing possibility by approaching the enigmatic field of thermodynamics through the lens of information theory as laid out in Claude Shannon’s foundational 1948 work. Along the way we will uncover the roots of probability theory found in games of chance, discover the relation between the kind of information stored in computer hard drives and that of living organisms, encode messages in temperature variation, and learn about the limits placed on everyday interactions by the laws of thermodynamics. Through these efforts we will develop a deep understanding of the oft ill defined concept known as “entropy” and see the pivotal role it plays in the operations of the universe. Finally, we will investigate some modern research on these topics and build our own model information engine.
Introduction to Quantum Computing – Vanessa Sih (Session 3) (FULL)
The development of quantum physics at the beginning of the 20th century made possible current technology, including computer chips, solar cells, and flat screen displays. We are now at an exciting time when quantum computers are being developed that could more efficiently solve some problems than existing “classical” computers. However, quantum physics is mysterious and predicts behavior that is not intuitive. What does it mean for a particle to tunnel through a barrier? How can objects exist in a superposition like the Schrodinger’s cat, which is both dead and alive? How is a quantum computer different from a “classical” computer? This course will introduce students to quantum theory and its applications in modern technology and quantum computing and incorporate a mix of group problem solving and hands-on activities, including demonstrations, laboratory activities, and simulations.
The Physics of Magic and the Magic of Physics – Georg Raithel (Session 2) (FULL)
Rabbits that vanish; objects that float in air defying gravity; a tiger that disappears and then reappears elsewhere; mind reading, telepathy and x-ray vision; objects that penetrate solid glass; steel rings that pass through each other: these are some of the amazing tricks of magic and magicians. Yet even more amazing phenomena are found in nature and the world of physics and physicists: matter than can vanish and reappear as energy and vice-versa; subatomic particles that can penetrate steel; realistic 3-D holographic illusions; objects that change their dimensions and clocks that speed up or slow down as they move (relativity); collapsed stars that trap their own light (black holes); x-rays and lasers; fluids that flow uphill (liquid helium); materials without electrical resistance (superconductors.) In this class students will first study the underlying physics of some classical magic tricks and learn to perform several of these (and create new ones.) The “magic” of corresponding (and real) physical phenomena will then be introduced and studied with hands-on, minds-on experiments. Finally, we will visit a number of research laboratories where students can meet some of the “magicians” of physics – physics students and faculty – and observe experiments at the forefront of physics research.