Physics

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IAS Amplitudes Group Meeting

April 14, 2026 | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
April 21, 2026 | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Add to calendar 04/21/2026 14:30 04/21/2026 16:00 IAS Amplitudes Group Meeting use-title Topic: Informal Discussion More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-amplitudes-group-meeting-84 Bloomberg Lecture Hall (IAS) a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23
April 28, 2026 | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Add to calendar 04/28/2026 14:30 04/28/2026 16:00 IAS Amplitudes Group Meeting use-title Topic: Informal Discussion More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-amplitudes-group-meeting-84 Bloomberg Lecture Hall (IAS) a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23
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Princeton University High Energy Theory Seminar

April 27, 2026 | 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Add to calendar 04/27/2026 14:30 04/27/2026 15:30 Princeton University High Energy Theory Seminar use-title Topic: Convergent perturbative series via finite path integral limits: application to energy at strong coupling of the anharmonic oscillator Speakers: Ariel Edery, Bishops University More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/princeton-university-high-energy-theory-seminar-49 ABSTRACT: Perturbation theory is used extensively for solving problems in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. In most cases, the perturbative series in powers of the coupling is an asymptotic series (it ultimately diverges). This is not an issue at weak coupling where one can make precise predictions by computing a few lower orders. However, this procedure fails completely at strong coupling. In this work, we show that one can obtain an absolutely convergent perturbative series in powers of the coupling if one uses finite path integral limits. In particular, the series can be used to calculate observables at strong coupling. In some cases, one can prove that there is a duality between the perturbative series and a different series based on inverse powers of the coupling (which converges quickly at strong coupling).  We illustrate the procedure for λ ϕ4 theory in lower dimensions:  a basic integral involving quadratic and quartic terms and the more dynamical scenario of the quantum anharmonic oscillator. In particular, we obtain an energy series expansion at strong coupling for the anharmonic oscillator and the result agrees with the exact energy (obtained numerically) to within 0.1%, a remarkable result in light of the fact that at strong coupling the usual perturbative series diverges badly right from the start. Jadwin Hall, PCTS Room 407 a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: Perturbation theory is used extensively for solving problems in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. In most cases, the perturbative series in powers of the coupling is an asymptotic series (it ultimately diverges). This is not an...

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IAS Quantum Aspects of Black Holes Group Meeting

April 23, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:00pm
Add to calendar 04/23/2026 11:00 04/23/2026 12:00 IAS Quantum Aspects of Black Holes Group Meeting use-title Topic: Geometry of the Saad Wormhole Speakers: Zhenbin Yang, Tsinghua University More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-quantum-aspects-black-holes-group-meeting-69 ABSTRACT: We will discuss a simple geometric construction of a wormhole that contributes a linear ramp to the late time correlators in an eternal black hole background. This is based on work in progress with Douglas Stanford.  Bloomberg Hall Physics Library a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: We will discuss a simple geometric construction of a wormhole that contributes a linear ramp to the late time correlators in an eternal black hole background. This is based on work in progress with Douglas Stanford. 

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IAS Physics Group Meeting

April 22, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:15pm
Add to calendar 04/22/2026 11:00 04/22/2026 12:15 IAS Physics Group Meeting use-title Topic: The S-matrix Bootstrap for a Custodially-Symmetric Higgs Speakers: Justin Berman, University of Michigan More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-physics-group-meeting-94 ABSTRACT: The S-matrix bootstrap uses analyticity, unitarity, and crossing symmetry to place nonperturbative bounds on 4-point scattering amplitudes. In my talk, I describe the application of the bootstrap to the scattering of O(4) symmetric scalars, an approximation to the Higgs boson in the custodial limit, explain what we are able to learn about amplitudes in the allowed region, and discuss how current experimental constraints on Higgs self-interactions can manifest in the bootstrap space.   Bloomberg Lecture Hall (IAS) a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: The S-matrix bootstrap uses analyticity, unitarity, and crossing symmetry to place nonperturbative bounds on 4-point scattering amplitudes. In my talk, I describe the application of the bootstrap to the scattering of O(4) symmetric scalars...

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Princeton University Dark Cosmos Seminar

April 21, 2026 | 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Add to calendar 04/21/2026 16:00 04/21/2026 17:30 Princeton University Dark Cosmos Seminar use-title Topic: Dark Matter in the Smallest Galaxies Speakers: Matthew Walker, Carnegie Melon University More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/princeton-university-dark-cosmos-seminar-48 ABSTRACT: I will review efforts to infer the amount and spatial distribution of dark matter within the Milky Way's dwarf spheroidal satellites.  I will show first results from a large (Magellan/M2FS) spectroscopic survey targeting ten thousand stars within the Fornax dSph.  Finally I will present results from fitting flexible surface brightness models to the known dSphs, revealing surprising structural diversity within the dSph population.   Jadwin Hall, Joe Henry Room a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: I will review efforts to infer the amount and spatial distribution of dark matter within the Milky Way's dwarf spheroidal satellites.  I will show first results from a large (Magellan/M2FS) spectroscopic survey targeting ten thousand stars...

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IAS Amplitudes Group Meeting

April 14, 2026 | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
April 21, 2026 | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Add to calendar 04/21/2026 14:30 04/21/2026 16:00 IAS Amplitudes Group Meeting use-title Topic: Informal Discussion More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-amplitudes-group-meeting-84 Bloomberg Lecture Hall (IAS) a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23
April 28, 2026 | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Add to calendar 04/28/2026 14:30 04/28/2026 16:00 IAS Amplitudes Group Meeting use-title Topic: Informal Discussion More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-amplitudes-group-meeting-84 Bloomberg Lecture Hall (IAS) a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23
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Biology Seminar

April 21, 2026 | 10:30am - 12:30pm
Add to calendar 04/21/2026 10:30 04/21/2026 12:30 Biology Seminar use-title Topic: The Mathematics of Human Population Growth and CO2 Emissions Speakers: Victor M. Yakovenko, University of Maryland More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/biology-seminar As a postdoc at Rutgers University, I attended a physics colloquium presented by Sergei Kapitza in the fall of 1992.  His talk argued that human population growth is hyperbolic with a singularity in the year 2026.  Actually, this claim was first published by Heinz von Foerster et al. in 1960 in Science.  Using current empirical data from 10,000 BCE to 2023 CE, we re-examine this claim.  We find that human population initially grew exponentially in time as N(t)~exp(t/T) with T~3000 years.  This growth then gradually evolved to be super-exponential with a form similar to the Bose function in statistical physics.  Population growth further accelerated around 1700, entering the hyperbolic regime N(t)=C/(t_s-t) with the extrapolated singularity year t_s=2030, which essentially confirms the claim by Kapitza and von Foerster et al.  We attribute the onset of the hyperbolic regime to the transition to massive use of fossil fuels upon the Industrial Revolution, as evidenced by a linear relation that we find between world population and the increase in CO2 level from 1700 to 2000.  But in the 21st century, the inverse population curve 1/N(t) deviates from a straight line and follows a pattern of "avoided crossing".  As a result, the singularity transforms into a square-root Lorentzian peak at t_s=2030 of the width \tau=32 years.  Our predicted year 2030 of the peak in human population is much earlier than in other demographic forecasts.  We also find that the increase in the CO2 level since 1700 is well fitted by arccot[(t_s-t)/\tau_F] with \tau_F=40 years.  It implies a Lorentzian peak in the annual emissions d(CO2)/dt at the same year t_s=2030. Bloomberg Hall Biology Conference Room (1st Floor, Room 113) a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

As a postdoc at Rutgers University, I attended a physics colloquium presented by Sergei Kapitza in the fall of 1992.  His talk argued that human population growth is hyperbolic with a singularity in the year 2026.  Actually, this claim was first...

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IAS High Energy Theory Seminar

April 20, 2026 | 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Add to calendar 04/20/2026 14:30 04/20/2026 15:30 IAS High Energy Theory Seminar use-title Topic: JLMS and Modular Flow in a Large Holographic Code Speakers: Xi Dong, University of California, Santa Barbara More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-high-energy-theory-seminar-110 ABSTRACT: Understanding holography as a quantum error-correcting code obeying the JLMS relation has been central to entanglement wedge reconstruction. Previous analyses have focused on a small code subspace of perturbative bulk states around a fixed background, but this is too restrictive for studying modular flow. Moreover, since JLMS is a statement about modular Hamiltonians, it is sensitive to small eigenvalues of the state; indeed, large violations can arise in certain toy models. In this talk I will describe recent work constructing a large holographic code with sufficient stability to ensure that JLMS holds up to small errors. This code is large enough to include superpositions of distinct semiclassical backgrounds. I will then discuss upcoming work showing how this large-code framework relates modular flow to kink transformations and clarifies the role of the area operator. Bloomberg Lecture Hall (IAS) & Zoom a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: Understanding holography as a quantum error-correcting code obeying the JLMS relation has been central to entanglement wedge reconstruction. Previous analyses have focused on a small code subspace of perturbative bulk states around a fixed...

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Princeton University Gravity Initiative Seminar

April 20, 2026 | 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Add to calendar 04/20/2026 12:30 04/20/2026 13:30 Princeton University Gravity Initiative Seminar use-title Topic: Progress towards the BKL Conjecture Speakers: Warren Li, Stanford University More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/princeton-university-gravity-initiative-seminar-23 ABSTRACT: Belinski, Khalatnikov and Lifschitz, or BKL for short, proposed heuristics saying that a generic (spacelike) singularity from the Einstein equations is silent (meaning different spatial points decouple near the singularity), oscillatory / chaotic, and unaffected by matter. In this talk, we discuss several contributions towards the rigorous mathematical justification of their heuristics, and in particular on why one can expect spatial decoupling even in the presence of nonlinear oscillatory behavior in time. Jadwin Hall, Princeton Gravity Initiative, 4th Floor a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: Belinski, Khalatnikov and Lifschitz, or BKL for short, proposed heuristics saying that a generic (spacelike) singularity from the Einstein equations is silent (meaning different spatial points decouple near the singularity), oscillatory /...

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IAS CMP/QFT Group Meeting

April 20, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:00pm
Add to calendar 04/20/2026 11:00 04/20/2026 12:00 IAS CMP/QFT Group Meeting use-title Topic: Global Symmetries, Codes, and CFTs Speakers: Anatoly Dymarsky, Institute for Advanced Study Affiliation: University of Kentucky More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-cmpqft-group-meeting-29 ABSTRACT: This talk explores the connection between global symmetries and the theory of classical and quantum error-correcting codes. When the symmetry is Abelian, we show that classical isotropic (self-orthogonal) codes emerge naturally as non-anomalous subgroups of the global symmetry. Gauging this symmetry, equivalently, the Abelian anyon condensation in the associated SymTFT, is then described in the language of quantum stabilizer codes. The code-based picture highlights the role of modular invariance in the SymTFT framework, providing an efficient way to count all Lagrangian subgroups and, in 2d, establishing a direct connection with the modular bootstrap program. In the second part of the talk, I present ongoing work extending the connection to codes beyond the Abelian setting. I will formulate a conjecture that the Lagrangian algebra objects can be defined as modular invariants at asymptotically high genus, and use it to count the Lagrangian algebra objects in tensor powers of the Ising modular tensor category. Bloomberg Lecture Hall (IAS) a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: This talk explores the connection between global symmetries and the theory of classical and quantum error-correcting codes. When the symmetry is Abelian, we show that classical isotropic (self-orthogonal) codes emerge naturally as non...