Sommerfeld Lecture Series (ASC)

Latest Episodes:

Eugene Demler: Lighting up superconductivity Jan 15, 2026

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Recent experiments suggest the phenomenon of light induced superconductivity above Tc in two different materials: fullerene superconductor K3C60 and high Tc cuprate YBCO. I will discuss the distinct phenomena taking place in these systems. In K3C60, the unusual character of electron-phonon interactions results in enhanced BCS pairing through optical driving and the slow relaxation of superconducting correlations after they have been created. In YBCO the light induced state is short lived and its properties can be explained from the perspective of a Floquet material. I will present a general theoretical framework for understanding Floquet materials, in which the pump-induced oscillations of a collective mode lead to the parametric generation of excitation pairs. This can result in features such as photo- induced edges in reflectivity, enhancement of reflectivity, and even light amplification.

Hirosi Ooguri: Symmetry Resolution at High Energy Jan 15, 2026

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The density of states of a unitary quantum field theory is known to have a universal behavior at high energy. In two dimensions, this behavior is described by the Cardy formula. When the theory has symmetry, it is interesting to find out how the Hilbert space is decomposed into irreducible representation of the symmetry. In this talk, I will derive universal formulas for the decomposition of states at high energy with respect to both internal global symmetry and spacetime symmetry. The formulae are applicable to any unitary quantum field theory in any spacetime dimensions. As a byproduct, we resolve one of the outstanding questions on the stability of non-abelian black holes. We will also derive the high energy asymptotic behavior of correlation functions. (Based on work with Nathan Benjamin, Daniel Harlow, Monica Kang, Jaeha Lee, Sridip Pal, David Simmons-Duffin, Zhengdi Sun, and Zipei Zhang.)

Hirosi Ooguri: Constraints on Quantum Gravity Jan 15, 2026

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Although predictions of quantum gravity are typically at extremely high energy, several non-trivial constraints on its low energy effective theory have been found over the last decade or so. I will start by explaining why the unification of general relativity and quantum mechanics has been difficult. After introducing the holographic principle as our guide to the unification, I will discuss its use in finding constraints on symmetry in quantum gravity. I will also discuss other conjectural constraints on low energy effective theories, collectively called swampland conditions, and their consequences.

Yaron Oz: Entanglement, Chaos and Quantum Computation Jan 15, 2026

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We consider information spreading measures in randomly initialized variational quantum circuits and introduce entanglement diagnostics for efficient computation. We study the correlation between quantum chaos diagnostics, the circuit expressibility and the optimization of the control parameters.

Yaron Oz: Unraveling Turbulence: Modern Viewpoints on an Unsolved Problem Jan 15, 2026

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Fluid turbulence is a major unsolved problem of physics exhibiting an emergent complex structure from simple rules. We will briefly review the problem and discuss three avenues towards its solution: field theory, holography and machine learning.

Yaron Oz: The Quantum Universe: Information, Communication and Computation Jan 15, 2026

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The amazing and mysterious laws of the quantum world will be outlined: superposition, entanglement and no cloning. Their impact on science and technology will be discussed, including quantum teleportation, secure quantum communication, quantum money, powerful quantum algorithms and quantum machine learning.

Thibault Damour: Black Hole Binary Dynamics from Classical and Quantum Gravitational Scattering Jan 15, 2026

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Gravitational wave signals from coalescing binary black holes are detected, and analyzed, by using large banks of template waveforms. The construction of these templates makes an essential use of the analytical knowledge of the motion and radiation of gravitationally interacting binary systems. A new angle of attack on gravitational dynamics consists of considering (classical or quantum) scattering states. Modern amplitude techniques have recently given interesting novel results. These results are reaching a level where subtle conceptual issues arise (quantum-classical transition, radiative effects versus conservative dynamics, massless limit,...).

Thibault Damour: Gravitational Waves and Binary Black Holes Jan 15, 2026

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The observation of gravitational wave signals by the two interferometers of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), and by the Virgo interferometer, has brought the first direct evidence for the existence of black holes, and has also been the first observation of gravitational waves in the wave-zone. After reviewing the historical path that led to our understanding of gravitational waves and black holes, the colloquium will present the theoretical developments on the motion and gravitational radiation of binary black holes that have been crucial in interpreting the LIGO-Virgo events as being emitted by the coalescence of two black holes.

Thibault Damour: 100 Years of General Relativity Jan 15, 2026

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In November 2015, Albert Einstein finalized a new theory of gravitation, General Relativity (GR), which describes gravitation as a deformation of the structure of space-time. It took many years of conceptual deepening and observational discoveries to fully grasp several of the most novel predictions of GR (gravitational waves, black holes, cosmological expansion). GR is the current standard model for the gravitational interaction, and plays a crucial role in the description of many physical systems: solar system, neutron stars, binary pulsars, galaxies, black holes, cosmology. For many years, GR was considered as being completely separate from the (quantum) description of the other interactions. However, several theoretical frameworks (string theory, supergravity) point towards a key role of GR in the search for a unified description of physics. GR has passed with flying colors all current experimental tests, but some puzzles remain unanswered.

Theory Colloquium: Scaling Down the Laws of Thermodynamics Jan 15, 2026

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Thermodynamics provides a robust conceptual framework and set of laws that govern the exchange of energy and matter. Although these laws were originally articulated for macroscopic objects, nanoscale systems also exhibit “thermodynamic-like” behavior – for instance, biomolecular motors convert chemical fuel into mechanical work. To what extent can the laws of thermodynamics be scaled down to apply to individual microscopic systems, and what new features emerge at the nanoscale? I will describe some of the recent progress and challenges associated with addressing these questions.