Hunting for Ghosts using Rare-Isotope Doped Superconducting and Optomechanical Sensors

Dr. Kyle Leach

Associate Professor

Department of Physics

Colorado School of Mines

Host: Korsch

Title: Hunting for Ghosts using Rare-Isotope Doped Superconducting and Optomechanical Sensors

Abstract: Nuclear beta and electron capture (EC) decay serve as sensitive probes of the structure and symmetries at the microscopic scale of our Universe. As such, precision measurements of the final-state products in these processes can be used as powerful laboratories to search for new physics from the meV to TeV scale. Significant advances in “rare isotope” availability and quality, coupled with decades of sensing technique development from the AMO community have led us into a new era of fundamental tests of nature using unstable nuclei. For the past few years, we have taken the approach of embedding radioisotopes in thin-film superconducting tunnel junctions (STJs) to precisely measure the recoiling atom that gets an eV-scale “kick” from the neutrino following EC decay. These recoils are encoded with the fundamental quantum information of the neutrino and decay process, as well as carrying unique signatures of weakly coupled beyond standard model (BSM) physics; including neutrino mass, exotic weak currents, and potential “dark” particles created within the energy-window of the decay. These measurements provide a complimentary and (crucially) model-independent portal to the dark sector with sensitivities that push towards synergy between laboratory and cosmological probes. In this talk, I will discuss the broad program we have developed to provide leading limits in these areas as well as the technological advances across several sub-disciplines of science required to enable this work, including subatomic physics, quantum engineering, atomic theory, and materials science. Finally, I will discuss future prospects of extending this work using macroscopic amounts of harvested exotic atoms from the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) in optically levitated nanospheres for direct momentum measurements of the decay recoils.

Date:
Location:
CP-155
Event Series:

"Here in Kentucky" - a performance by UK Graduate Student Deidra White

Deidra White, an MFA graduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences, wrote and performed a piece to help the University of Kentucky celebrate the completion of the Kentucky Can fundraising campaign. 

Please watch this video of her performance of the piece she wrote, with the support of her creative writing faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, called “Here in Kentucky.” 

Anthropology Alumnus Talk Series: Lacey Lansaw

THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY PRESENTS OUR ALUMNI TALKS SERIES

Lacey Lansaw is a game designer currently working on the upcoming Wonder World game.  She received her M.A. from U.K.’s Department of  Anthropology in 2016.

World Building Through a Different Lens:  A Thank You to Anthropology

Whether it's a sprawling open world set in ancient Greece or a 2D platform adventure that explores intergenerational traditions, game developers build immersive worlds to deliver a holistic experience to players.
An interdisciplinary approach to world building can help create authentic worlds that players love to explore. 

This talk focuses on Lacey's journey from the completion of her master’s degree in Anthropology to her current role as World Designer for Warner Brother's Monolith Productions and how she has bridged the gap between her anthropological background and the creative industry.

PLEASE JOIN US!
Flyer for talk

 

Date:
-
Location:
UKFCU Esports Theater, The Cornerstone
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