Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Quantum Interferences and Lasing without inversion
Reuben Shuker
Sub-natural-width peak
Quantum-interference-related phenomena have many implications in physics. Quantum interference between two independent quantum channels in three-level systems gives rise to various coherent phenomena, such as electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), coherent population trapping (CPT), lasing/gain without inversion (LWI/GWI), enhancement of refraction index, sub- and super-luminal light propagation etc. These phenomena open a wide-range perspective for new type of phase-sensitive spectroscopy. An example is the possibility to get sub-natural line widths (see movie).
Condensed Matter Experimental
Mechanical properties on the nm scale
Yishay Manassen
Strain map from Gd islands and Local young modulus of nanoparticles.
The scanning tunneling microscope is a device capable of observing an image with atomic resolution and is capable of observing physical phenomena on the atomic scale. In this study we are interested in the nm scale mechanical properties, normally studied macroscopically, which can vary in different locations on the surface. These properties are the stress and strain tensors, the elastic constants, the surface energy and stress. These values can be measured either using a external perturbation (the STM tip) or internal perturbation (a heteroepitaxial island, chemical reaction).
Biological and Soft Matter Physics
Nonlinear Dynamics and Biological Applications
Arik Yochelis
Simulation of waves in a model for intra-cellular actin polymerization and membrane ruffles
Biological systems show a plethora of fascinating self-organized behaviors that range from organ to cellular levels, such as spiral waves, pulses, synchronization, and steady states that are periodic in space. These non-equilibrium phenomena emerge through either spontaneous or forced symmetry breaking mechanisms. Employing nonlinear dynamics methods, we attempt to understand specific cases (localized waves in the inner ear) as well as gain general insights into the emergence of traveling waves with motivation taken from molecular motors, actin polymerization and cardiac system.
Astrophysics and Cosmology
Black Holes
Uri Keshet
Stellar trajectories around SgA*, the central black hole of the Milky Way
Black holes play a dual role in physics, both as astronomical objects routinely discovered nowadays in binaries and in galactic centers, and as basic elements in quantum gravity. The presence of a supermassive black hole in the center of our own galaxy is evident from the trajectories of stars around a small region known as SgA* (see movie). We study black holes such as the one hiding in SgA*, and their dense stellar environment.
Condensed Matter Theory
Spin related mesoscopics
Amnon Aharony
*** Quantum mechanics of nanometer sized devices: using electron wave interference to manipulate electron motion. *** Spintronics: taking advantage of the electron’s magnetic moment (spin), and not only of its charge, to store and read information. Possible applications in quantum computers. *** Multiferroic materials are both magnetic and ferroelectric, and therefore can be manipulated by both electric and magnetic fields.
High-Energy Physics
Quantum gravity & quantum black holes
Ram Brustein
Quantum black hole swallows matter and evaporates quantum mechanically
Are Einstein's equations and general relativity compatible with quantum mechanics? In spite of intense efforts over the last 40 years by some of the best physicists we still do not know the answer . I study the properties of black holes and other space-times with horizons to probe the laws of quantum gravity. Based on our recent research, our proposed answer is: Yes. The apparent incompatibilities between general relativity and quantum mechanics originate from the extreme approximation of treating spacetime as a strictly classical geometric object.