Physics & Astronomy Nuclear Seminar

Title: Fundamental physics with cold and ultracold neutrons

Abstract: Thanks to their lack of charge, neutrons can be powerful probes to study fundamental aspects of the weak and strong nuclear forces unhampered by electromagnetic effects. However, for the same reason tools and techniques to make neutrons useful for fundamental physics are quite different from other fields of subatomic physics. This presentation will explain the principles of neutron production, moderation and transport and showcase examples of the fundamental physics that can be explored with neutrons.

Date:
-
Location:
CP 179
Event Series:

Physics & Astronomy String Seminar

Title: Hamiltonian approach to near extremal black hole physics

Abstract: Much progress has been made in recent years on understanding near-extremal black holes, primarily through the Euclidean path integral. These findings include large backreaction effects at both classical and quantum levels.  However, a Lorentzian formulation of these effects, as needed to describe black holes formed from collapse along with other dynamical processes, is not well understood. I will describe an approach to this problem based on the Hamiltonian formulation of gravity. In this formulation we can make contact with earlier Euclidean results while also generalizing to inherently Lorentzian processes like black hole formation. 

Date:
-
Location:
CP 303
Event Series:

UK Department of History launches ‘Celebrating 1776’ series ahead of America’s 250th anniversary

By Jenny Wells-Hosley 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 16, 2026) — As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the University of Kentucky Department of History is launching a public event series designed to deepen understanding of the American Revolution and its enduring legacy.

Physics & Astronomy Colloquium

Dr. Steve Turley, Brigham Young University

Title: Using Physics in Unusual Places

Abstract: I would sometimes tell students that if they didn’t know what major to choose, they should choose physics because it is the basis of everything else. While this is perhaps a bit overstated, it is valuable for faculty members to keep in mind that most of our students will have careers that look different than our academic pursuits. 

I will discuss physics applications I have found outside typical academic settings. As part of an exotic weapons development program, I participated in some of the early development of ultra-cold atoms, the optical Stern-Gerlach Effect and the development of a coherent Lyman-alpha source. While studying efficient ways to compute radar cross sections of stealthy targets, I not only used my background in electromagnetic theory but also some machinery from General Relativity and quantum mechanics. 

Work on measuring lifetimes of parts in ion thruster satellite engines used results from astrophysics. After a 25-year academic career, I have been assisting as a volunteer at FamilySearch, an international nonprofit collaborative genealogical platform. To my surprise and delight, I’ve found ways my physics background can be applied to problems in computerizing and indexing genealogical records, preserving privacy, optical character recognition and matching records to family trees.

Date:
-
Location:
CP 153
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