The physics department at Cal Poly Pomona will host meeting of theoretical physicists from around the country on Dec. 10 & 11. Sponsored by the Anacapa Society, an organization of theoretical and computational physicists at undergraduate institutions, the two-day workshop will focus on research at undergraduate campuses.
“There are some unique challenges of doing theoretical physics research at undergraduate institutions,” says Alex Small, physics professor and the conference co-chair. “This meeting is a professional development opportunity for physics faculty. It’s about getting ideas and sharing strategies.”
The meeting, which will include 22 presentations, is expected to draw about 30 attendees, as well as on-campus faculty and students.
The campus community is invited to the introductory talk by William Wootters, a physics professor at Williams College in Massachusetts whose research involves quantum information. The topic is a popular one among scientists now and the concept has been applied in Swiss elections and a few financial institutions, Small says.
“Quantum information theory is about nature of information and provides insights into the nature of quantum physics in the world,” Small says. “Quantum information science enables us to manipulate the state of atoms and photons and do very practical things with them, things people used to think were impossible.”
Wootters’ keynote address is at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 in Building 3-2870.