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Physics Colloquium Fall 2026

Thursdays 4:00 p.m. 104 Physics.
Colloquium organizer: Dr.  Xiaojie Wang xiaojiewang@mst.edu

Watch past colloquia on our YouTube Channel


(Link to main colloquium page)

Title: A polarized view of the multi-messenger universe
Abstract: Over the past decade, multi-messenger astronomy has reshaped our view of the high-energy universe. While gravitational waves and cosmic neutrinos have explored many key physical properties of black holes and neutron stars, the plasma dynamics and magnetic field structures in these compact object systems are not yet well studied. Polarimetry provides a direct probe of magnetic field dynamics, geometry of the plasma, radiation mechanisms, and plasma physics across multi-messenger sources. Enabled by the recently launched Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) and upcoming observatories like the Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) in the MeV gamma-ray band, multi-wavelength polarimetry is entering a transformative era. This talk presents the unique scientific breakthroughs achievable through multi-wavelength polarimetry, demonstrating its role as a fundamental pillar of modern multi-messenger astrophysics
Keywords: Polarimetry, plasma dynamics, neutrino, relativistic jet, blazar, gamma-ray burst

Title: Experiments on the Cheap
Abstract: 
According to the American Institute of Physics, a little under half of the ~600 new Physics faculty hires in 2023-2024 were into departments with no graduate program. The total number of Physics and Astronomy PhDs awarded in that year was about 2,000 (a 1.5% decrease from the previous year). Graduate students and post-doctoral scholars looking for a faculty position may land in a bachelor's only institution. These departments often operate with very limited funds and securing external grants in this space can be exceptionally difficult. What skills and knowledge are useful when trying to design something that looks like experimental research when your budget may be "thoughts and prayers"? In this talk I'll outline some of the lessons I've learned in my time at a regional, 4-year, public school. These lessons have proven valuable in both the research and teaching labs.
Title
Galaxies, Kilonovae, and Lunar Astronomy: Science with UVEX and Beyond
Keywords
Ultraviolet, UVEX, Sky surveys, Time-domain, Multimessenger, Kilonovae, Autonomous scheduling, Lunar surface, Permanently shadowed regions, Artemis, CLPS
Abstract
The UltraViolet EXplorer (UVEX), launching in 2030, will revolutionize UV astronomy with a synoptic all-sky survey 100 times deeper than GALEX and the first rapidly deployable UV spectroscopic capability for a broad range of science applications. It will discover millions of low-mass, low-metallicity galaxies that serve as local analogs to the first galaxies, measuring their star formation rates. It will obtain UV spectra of the youngest, most metal-poor star-forming regions. In the time domain, UVEX will capture rare phenomena including kilonovae from neutron star mergers and early-phase supernovae, addressing key questions about compact object physics and stellar death. UVEX's early-time observations of neutron star mergers will constrain ejecta composition and emission mechanisms. I will discuss UVEX's science objectives, observing strategy, and the algorithms under development to autonomously plan and execute UVEX's science mission in real time, enabling rapid response to transient events without humans in the loop. Beyond UVEX, I will discuss how the lunar South Pole's permanently shadowed regions offer transformative advantages for next-generation time-domain observatories. These facilities can achieve near-100% duty cycles and wide-field monitoring that is difficult from free-flying spacecraft, directly addressing Astro2020's priority in time-domain and multi-messenger astrophysics while also helping to protect our explorers as we return to the Moon.
Title: Gravitational Waves Astronomy
Speaker: Gabriela González, Louisiana State University
Abstract: Since the first detection by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration of gravitational waves in 2015 from a merger of black holes and in 2017 from the merger of neutrons stars,  a new era of gravitational wave astrophysics was started with very bright prospects for the future. The number of observations is now into the hundreds and there are many astrophysical properties of black holes and neutron stars derived from those.  I will describe details of the latest discoveries and the exciting prospects for more detections in the future, as well as the technology involved in the current gravitational wave detectors and the challenges and prospects for more sensitive detectors. 
Key words: "gravitational waves", "precision instrumentation", "black holes and neutron stars"
Speaker: Dr. Sergey V. Polyakov is the Chief of the Quantum Measurement Division, Physical Measurement Laboratory at National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST)

Title: The World Where Every Photon Counts

 Abstract: Photon counting opens a door into a new world. Quantum effects emerge. Beyond fundamental interest, those effects lead to unprecedented accuracy in measuring light, often surpassing the capabilities of classical sensors. Quantum-enabled photonic techniques can enhance nearly every traditional application in optics: from astronomy to biology and from communications to imaging. I will talk about our recent experiments with faint light that enable practical quantum advantage by demonstrating below-the-shot-noise sensitivity and super-resolution. Let me show you a new world that connects fundamental laws of nature with everyday optical technologies.

 

A few keywords:  Quantum information science and technology, quantum optics, single photon sources and detectors, quantum measurements