Workshop

Joint RIKEN/N3AS Workshop on Multi-Messenger Astrophysics

November 26 (Sun) at 9:00 - 19:00, 2023

RIKEN iTHEMS and NSF Physics Frontier Center N3AS will jointly organize a workshop on "Multi-Messenger Astrophysics" on Sunday, November 26, at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, in conjunction with the JPS/ APS DNP meeting. For the program and registration form, please visit the workshop website at the related links. The workshop is open to all and there is no registration fee. However, we ask those wishing to attend to register, to help us plan. The workshop will conclude with an early evening poster session that will combine science with an opportunity for JPS and APS participants to socialize. Organizers: Tetsuo Hatsuda（RIKEN iTHEMS) Wick Haxton (UC Berkaley, N3AS) Baha Balentekin (UW-Madison, N3AS)

Venue: Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa, Hawaii

Event Official Language: English

6th QGG Intensive Lectures: Introduction to thermalization in isolated quantum systems

November 20 (Mon) - 21 (Tue), 2023

Ryusuke Hamazaki (RIKEN Hakubi Team Leader, Nonequilibrium Quantum Statistical Mechanics RIKEN Hakubi Research Team, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR))

This is the sixth event by the Quantum Gravity Gatherings (QGG) Study Group at RIKEN iTHEMS. For this event we have invited Professor Ryusuke Hamazaki from RIKEN, to deliver pedagogical lectures on the thermalization in isolated quantum systems. This topic describes how a non-equilibrium quantum state relaxes to thermal equilibrium through a unitary time evolution. This theme has applications not only in statistical physics but also in many areas of physics. In particular, in the context of quantum gravity, understanding thermalization via a unitary time evolution is anticipated to be a key to resolving the information loss problem of black holes. In addition, the notion of typicality and thermalization is important in the AdS/CFT correspondence to understand black hole physics. We expect this event to provide insights to researchers in related fields. Ryusuke Hamazaki is a leading expert in this subject. It is our enormous pleasure to have the opportunity to learn from him the idea of thermalization and its applications related to realistic systems. This intensive lecture series is designed to be an interactive event. The intensive talk will be given in a face-to-face blackboard style (in English, no online streaming) to encourage informal and lively Q&A discussions. The program will also include short talk sessions, where participants can present a 5-minute talk on a topic of their choice, which could be about their own research, reviews of specific works, or future study interests.

Venue: #435-437, Main Research Building

Event Official Language: English

iTHEMS Graph-theory workshop: from basics to applications

November 13 (Mon) - 14 (Tue), 2023

Momoko Hayamizu (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Fundamental Science and Engineering, Waseda University / PRESTO Researcher, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST))
Seiya Negami (Professor Emeritus, Yokohama National University)
Takashi Okada (Program-Specific Associate Professor, Institute for Life And Medical Sciences, Kyoto University)
Tasuku Soma (Associate Professor, Department of Statistical Inference and Mathematics, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics / Associate Professor, Statistical Science Program, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI))
Shun'ichi Azuma (Professor, Garduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University)

We will hold a two-day workshop on graph theory, which covers a variety of topics including basic concepts and theorems in graph-theory; graph-embedding; phylogenetic tree construction; chemical reaction networks; and cactus network theory. The details are found in the website linked below.

Venue: #435-437, Main Research Building

Event Official Language: English

International Workshop on Blockchain Technology: Blockchain Kaigi 2023 (BCK23)

October 28 (Sat) - 29 (Sun), 2023

The International workshop Blockchain Kaigi (Kaigi: Meeting, Conference) aims to bring together researchers and practitioners from various communities of science and technology working on areas related to FinTech, crypto-asset, and blockchain. On February 17th – 18th of 2021 the international workshop “Blockchain in Kyoto 2021 (BCK21)” was held at Kyoto University, and the following year on August 4th – 5th the international workshop “BCK22: Blockchain Kaigi 2022” was held at Tohoku University, both gathered many participants from all over the world and ended successfully. As the third step, the international workshop “BCK23: Blockchain Kaigi 2023” will be held on October 28th -29th, 2023 at RIKEN’s Kobe Campus (Kobe City). Topics for this international conference include, but are not limited to the following. Crypto assets, cryptocurrencies Blockchain technology, cryptography/mathematics B2B and B2C solutions Anomaly detection, cyber security Digital Asset Market, Central Bank Digital Currency CBDC smart contract Application to energy and environmental problems Application to financial inclusion, remittance and digital identity Innovation policy Legal and regulatory issues Network Science, Graph Theory, Mathematics of Hypergraphs

Venue: 8F, SUURI-COOL (Kobe)

Event Official Language: English

Introduction to F-Theory

October 18 (Wed) - 20 (Fri), 2023

Shun'ya Mizoguchi (Associate Professor, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK))

This is the fifth event hosted by the Quantum Gravity Gatherings (QGG) Study Group at RIKEN iTHEMS. For this event, we have invited Professor Shun'ya Mizoguchi from KEK, Tsukuba, to deliver pedagogical lectures on the F-theory and its relation to particle physics. We aim for this event to provide insights to researchers in related fields. Originally, heterotic string theory was a promising candidate for describing our world, as it naturally incorporated Grand Unified Theory (GUT) based on an exceptional gauge group. However, heterotic theory encounters challenges in moduli fixing. On the other hand, type II theory has an advantage in moduli fixing, but realizing GUT proves to be challenging. The F-theory describes the strongly coupled type IIB string theory, fully utilizing string dualities. This theory appears to realize both the moduli fixing and GUT. Consequently, F-theory plays a central role in string phenomenology. Shun'ya is a leading expert in these areas. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn numerous insights into string theory as well as particle physics. This intensive lecture series is designed to be an interactive event. To facilitate this, the number of participants will be limited to approximately 30. The intensive talk will be given in a face-to-face blackboard style (in English, no online streaming) to encourage informal and lively Q&A discussions. The program will also include short talk sessions, where participants can present a 5-minute talk on a topic of their choice, including their research, reviews of specific works, or future study interests.

Venue: #435-437, 4F, Main Research Building

Event Official Language: English

The 4th "Medicine and Mathematics" Workshop

September 29 (Fri) - 30 (Sat), 2023

We will have the 4rd workshop on "Medicine and Math" in Sendai (hybrid style) on Sep.29-30, 2023. Please join if you are interested in this interdisciplinary subject. Most of the talks are in Japanese except for session 4. For more information and registration, please visit the related links. For more information and registration, please visit the related links. Co-organized by: Center for Integrative Medicine and Physics, Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS) Center for Science Adventure and Collaborative Research Advancement (SACRA), Kyoto University Tohoku Forum of Creativity, Tohoku University RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS)

Venue: TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University / via Zoom

The 19th High Performance Computing Physics (HPC-Phys) Workshop

August 31 (Thu) at 13:30 - 17:30, 2023

Computational science is indispensable research method in various fields in physics. On the other hand, there is technical challenge in massive numerical simulations, such as optimization for each computational system and proper choice of computational method, and it is desirable to promote interdisciplinary collaborations between different fields. This series of workshops is organized to enhance such interdisciplinary activities among wide area of computational physics. The 19th workshop will be held with the following program: Program 13:30-13:35 Introduction 13:35-14:25 Tomonori Shirakawa : "Simulation of quantum computation using tensor network method" 14:25-15:15 Misa Ogata : "New computational method using Lagrangian construction for equilibrium shape of 2-dimensional stars" 15:15-15:35 Break 15:35-16:25 Rico Pohle : "Semi-classical Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations of spin coherent states" 16:25-17:15 Ken-Ichi Ishikawa : "Algorithms for Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics" 17:15-17:30 Discussions (17:30- Informal social gathering)

Venue: Welfare and Conference Bldg. 2F Meeting Room, RIKEN Wako Campus

Event Official Language: Japanese

Exploring 2D Quantum Spacetime Based on Causal Dynamical Triangulations

August 21 (Mon) - 23 (Wed), 2023

Yuki Sato (Associate Professor, National Institute of Technology, Tokuyama College)

This is the fourth event by the Quantum Gravity Gatherings (QGG) Study Group at RIKEN iTHEMS. For this event we have invited Prof. Yuki Sato, National Institute of Technology, Tokuyama College, to give pedagogical lectures on the causal dynamical triangulations approach to quantum gravity. We wish this event to provide insights to researchers in related fields. The causal dynamical triangulations formalism appears to be one of the most promising constructive approaches to quantum gravity: possessing deep links with the asymptotic safety programme and Hořava-Lifshitz gravity, causal dynamical triangulations appears to avoid many of the well-known pathologies characteristic of its Euclidean analogue. As an example the emergence of spacetime geometry remains possible in various spacetime dimensions. While many of the results in higher dimensions are understood only at the numerical level, the analytical study of the approach in two spacetime dimensions is relatively well developed; Yuki Sato is a leading expert on these latter developments and we are very lucky he has agreed to present the understanding of 2D causal spacetime coming from this approach in a manner consistent with the Quantum Gravity Gatherings philosophy. This intensive lecture series is intended to be a lively and participatory event, not just a listening experience. For this reason, the number of participants will be limited to about 30 with priority given to graduate students and young post-docs; the intensive talk will be given in a face-to-face blackboard style (in English, no online streaming) to allow for informal and lively Q&A discussions. The program will also include short talk sessions, where interested participants can give a 5 min talk on a topic of their choice (their research, reviews on some works, what they want to study in the future, etc.). Registration is available via the dedicated website.

Venue: #435-437, 4F, Main Research Building

Event Official Language: English

6th Workshop on Virus Dynamics

July 4 (Tue) - 6 (Thu), 2023

Catherine Beauchemin (Deputy Program Director, iTHEMS)
Shingo Iwami (Professor, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University)

The Workshop on Virus Dynamics is an international meeting held every 2 years. It brings virologists, immunologists, and microbiologists together with mathematical and computational modellers, bioinformaticians, bioengineers, virophysicists, and systems biologists to discuss current approaches and challenges in modelling and analyzing different aspects of virus and immune system dynamics, and associated vaccines and therapeutics. This 6th version of the workshop builds on the success of previous ones held in Frankfurt (2013), Toronto (2015), Heidelberg (2017), Paris (2019) and virtually (2021). It is supported by the Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) program at RIKEN, by Nagoya University, and by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. Up-to-date information and registration is available via the website. The workshop is for in-person participation only (no virtual or hybrid option).

Venue: Noyori Conference Hall, Higashiyama Campus, Nagoya University

Event Official Language: English

iTHEMS Science Outreach Workshop 2023

June 16 (Fri) - 18 (Sun), 2023

This year's meeting on "Outreach of RIKEN iTHEMS 2023@Sendai&Zoom" will be held from FRI June 16 to SUN June 18, as a face-to-face meeting at TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity of Tohoku Forum for Creativity in cooperation with iTHEMS SUURI-COOL (Sendai) using ZOOM for the necessary part as well.

Venue: TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University / via Zoom

Event Official Language: Japanese

Exploring GPT’s Influence on Natural Science and Mathematics

May 17 (Wed) at 10:00 - 15:00, 2023

We are organizing a workshop to explore the application of ChatGPT in natural sciences, with a focus on theoretical physics and mathematics. Advances in GPT-4 and plugin technology are expected to bring about transformative changes in the way research is conducted. We will investigate the potential for another shift in research methodology following the advent of computers. Expert-led lectures on large language models (LLMs/ChatGPT) will also be conducted. We aim to deepen the discussion on the effective utilization of LLMs as tools to support the research of physicists and mathematicians. This workshop will be held in a hybrid format, combining online streaming with in-person presentations, to accommodate a larger number of participants. In addition to the lectures, short talks and discussions will be held entirely offline. The target audience is mainly students and researchers in the natural sciences, but please note that there will be a limit to the number of in-person attendees. The aim of this event is to provide a forum for researchers to engage in earnest discussions. Those who do not align with the objectives of this workshop are kindly asked to refrain from participating. We look forward to this opportunity to consider, together with all of you, new research methods and perspectives in the fields of theoretical physics and mathematics in the natural sciences, utilizing ChatGPT. (The above text was created by modifying the text generated by Chat-GPT and GPT-4.) All talks will be delivered in Japanese.

Venue: #435-437, 4F, Main Research Building (Main Venue) / via Zoom

Event Official Language: Japanese

Spring Workshop on Quantum Gravity

April 26 (Wed) - 28 (Fri), 2023

This is co-hosted by iTHEMS and NCTS, and is also the first of Quantum Gravity Gatherings. What is space-time? How did the universe begin? Various approaches exist toward theories of quantum gravity that can answer such fundamental questions. Each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses and should capture, at least partially, some essential aspect of quantum gravity. Then, what are the general properties (if any) of the quantum nature of gravity independent of the details of such approaches? As the main speaker, we have asked Hikaru Kawai to give an intensive talk approaching this question from both general and specific arguments in a style consistent with the concept of Quantum Gravity Gatherings. We hope that the younger generation will experience his powerful arguments based on his experience and deep insights. This workshop is intended to be a lively and participatory event, not just a listening experience. For this reason, the number of participants will be limited to about 30 with priority given to graduate students and young post-docs; the intensive talk will be given in a face-to-face blackboard style (in English, no online streaming) to allow for informal and lively Q&A discussions. In addition, there will be sessions where any participant can give a short talk on any topic of his/her choice. Through these, all the participants will discuss the above question from various angles, and the young generations in Japan and Taiwan will stimulate each other and start new exchanges.

Venue: #435-437, 4F, Main Research Building

Event Official Language: English

RIKEN-Nara Women's University Joint Diversity Promotion Workshop

March 7 (Tue) - 8 (Wed), 2023

The RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS) and the Faculty of Science at Nara Women's University are promoting a project to foster female researchers under the auspices of the RIKEN Diversity Promotion Office. As part of the program, 17 undergraduate and graduate students from Nara Women's University will visit several laboratories on the RIKEN Wako campus to ask questions about their research, hold workshops with iTHEMS researchers, and present their own research. Organizers: RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program Faculty of Science, Nara Women's University Program: Tuesday, March 7 13:30-14:00 Opening remarks by Tetsuo Hatsuda (iTHEMS) 14:00-15:30 Erika Kawakami Laboratory (RQC) (S51, Chemistry and Materials Physics Bldg.) 15:30-17:00 Zhaomin Hou Laboratory (CSRS) (S51, Chemistry and Materials Physics Bldg.) 17:00-18:30 RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS) (C01, Main Research Bldg.) 18:30-21:00 Research Presentations by Nara Women's University Students (C01, Main Research Building) Wednesday, March 8 9:00-10:30 Nishina Center RIBF Facility (RNC) (E01, Nishina RIBF Bldg.) 10:30-12:00 Atsushi Miyawaki Laboratory (CBS) (C51, Brain Science Central Bldg.) 12:00-13:00 Lunch (C61, Welfare and Conference Bldg.) 13:00 Closing

Connecting the hierarchies: from cosmos to life

February 20 (Mon) at 10:00 - 16:45, 2023

Yuki Yokokura (Senior Research Scientist, iTHEMS)
Etsuko Itou (Senior Research Scientist, iTHEMS)
Catherine Beauchemin (Deputy Program Director, iTHEMS)

As each research field in modern science has matured and become more sophisticated and deepened, it has also created the problem that it has become too fragmented from the perspective of the field as a whole. On the other hand, looking at individual research themes, research that connects different hierarchical structures, such as cosmogenesis and particle theory, neutron stars and nuclear theory, large-scale structure of the universe and formation of galaxies, stars, and planets, turbulent phenomena over a wide range of scales, life and non-equilibrium phenomena, etc., is progressing, and efforts to understand physical phenomena from an integrated perspective is spreading. The term "hierarchy" can also be interpreted as a hierarchy of theories, different principles and perspectives. Therefore, in this TJR workshop, we invite relevant lecturers from external institutes to give talks focusing on how they are striving to link different hierarchies in their respective research fields, with the aim of broadening our research perspectives and inspiring future research. Of course, the purpose is also to inform and inspire the younger generation about cross-disciplinary research topics.

Venue: Nambu Hall, Toyonaka Campus, Osaka University / via Zoom

Kyoto Univ. MACS Program x RIKEN iTHEMS Collaborative Research Forum

February 13 (Mon) at 13:00 - 18:00, 2023

RIKEN iTHEMS and the SACRA Interdisciplinary Research Division of the Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University signed a joint research agreement on the task "Creation of new fields and solution of various problems in science using mathematical-based interdisciplinary methods", which started in 2018, and the two institutions have been strengthening collaboration over the past five years. During this period, various collaborative activities in both research and education have been carried out and results have been achieved, including the holding of research symposia, joint lectures across universities, the establishment of visiting lectures, and educational activities in the MACS Study Group. At this forum, we would like to present the results of these five years of joint research and to link them to the start of further collaboration in the future. In particular, many undergraduate and graduate students have participated in the "MACS Study Group 2022-SG5 Pipeline Connecting RIKEN and MACS", and have been actively engaged in research activities with RIKEN researchers. The results of these SG5 activities will be presented by the students.

Venue: 4F, South Tower, School of Science Bldg. No.6, Kyoto University (Main Venue) / via Zoom

Event Official Language: Japanese

Functional Renormalization Group at RIKEN 2023 -From condensed matter and particle physics to gravity-

January 21 (Sat) - 22 (Sun), 2023

Gergely Fejos (Assistant Professor, Institute of Physics, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
Yuya Tanizaki (Special Postdoctoral Researcher, Theory Group, RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science (RNC) / Assistant Professor, Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University)
Takeru Yokota (Postdoctoral Researcher, The Institute for Solid State Physics (ISSP), The University of Tokyo)
Junichi Haruna (Ph.D. Student, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University)
Rina Tazai (Assistant Professor, Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University)
Shunsuke Yabunaka (Researcher, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA))
Taiki Haga (Assistant Professor, Division of Physics and Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University)
Masatoshi Yamada (Assistant Professor, College of Physics, Jilin University, China)

Functional renormalization group (FRG) is a powerful theoretical tool to investigate physical systems described by field theory. Its application covers diverse areas of physics spanning from condensed matter and statistical physics to particle physics and gravity. The purpose of this two-day workshop is to overview the recent applications and progresses of FRG in various fields of physics, to discuss future directions, and to seek for possible new collaborations bridging different fields of physics.

Venue: #345-347, 3F, Main Research Building (Main Venue) / via Zoom

Event Official Language: English

The 3rd "Medicine and Mathematics" Workshop Organized by KUIAS, iTHEMS and Heidelberg Univ.

September 30 (Fri) - October 1 (Sat), 2022

We will have the 3rd workshop organized by KUIAS, iTHEMS and Heidelberg Univ. on "Medicine and Math" in Kyoto (hybrid style) on Sep.30-Oct.1, 2022. Please join if you are interested in this interdisciplinary subject. Most of the talks are in Japanese except for session 3. For more information and registration, please visit the related links. Co-organized by: Center for Integrative Medicine and Physics, Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS) RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS) Center for Science Adventure and Collaborative Research Advancement (SACRA), Kyoto University

Venue: Maskawa Hall, 1F, Maskawa Building for Education and Research / via Zoom

DM3 - Deep insights and Multiple strategies for Deciphering the Mystery of Dark Matter

September 15 (Thu) - 17 (Sat), 2022

Venue: SUURI-COOL (Kobe) / via Zoom

Event Official Language: English

International Workshop on Blockchain Technology: Blockchain Kaigi 2022 (BCK22)

August 4 (Thu) - 5 (Fri), 2022

The International workshop Blockchain Kaigi (Kaigi : Meeting, Conference) aims at bringing together researchers and practitioners from various communities of science and technology working on areas related to FinTech, crypto-asset, and blockchain. On February 17-18, 2021, the international workshop “Blockchain in Kyoto 2021 (BCK21)” was successfully held at Kyoto University with more than 200 participants worldwide. As the second edition of the conference, the international workshop BCK22: Blockchain Kaigi 2022 will be held in Tohoku University, Sendai on August 4-5, 2022. We are looking forward to your registration for general lectures. There is no fee to attend. Authors are encouraged to submit theoretical and/or applied articles on their research related to Blockchains in general. For more information, please visit the official website at the related links below.

Venue: TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University / via Zoom

iTHEMS Science Outreach Workshop 2022

July 29 (Fri) - 31 (Sun), 2022

This year’s meeting on “Outreach of RIKEN iTHEMS 2022@Kobe&Zoom” will be held from FRI July 29 to SUN July 31, as a face-to-face meeting as much as possible at iTHEMS SUURI-COOL Kobe using ZOOM for the necessary part as well. This is a meeting where members of iTHEMS and science journalists, science writers, etc meet together. iTHEMS researchers explain their research to journalists etc. and science journalists and writers talk about their experiences.

Venue: SUURI-COOL (Kobe) / via Zoom

Event Official Language: Japanese