Volume 253

iTHEMS Weekly News Letter

Award

Tomoki Ozawa thumbnail

Dr. Tomoki Ozawa selected to receive an Asian Young Scientist Fellowship

2023-05-30

Dr. Tomoki Ozawa (Visiting Scientist, iTHEMS / Associate Professor, Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University) has been selected to receive an Asian Young Scientist Fellowship 2023.

This fellowship aims to encourage and support young Asian scientists in three fields: 1) Life Science, 2) Physical Science, and 3) Mathematics and Computer Science.

Dr. Ozawa has been selected in his contribution to the topological states in photonics crystals with synthetic dimensions and his exploration in the direction of many-body physics in synthetic and tunable AMO platforms.

For more information, please see the related links.

Seminar Report

Quantum uncertainty of fields and its effect on entanglement generation in quantum particles by Mr. Yuki Sugiyama on May 31, 2023

2023-06-01

The unification of gravity and quantum mechanics is one of the important problems. To elucidate the theory of quantum gravity, it is becoming more and more important to get any hint of the quantum nature of gravity. In particular, the quantum-gravity-induced-entanglement of masses (QGEM) scenario, which is expected to observe the quantum nature of non-relativistic gravity, has recently attracted great attention. In this talk, Sugiyama-san showed the effect of relativistic fields on entanglement generation based on quantum field theory. We also discussed the relationship between the entanglement generation and quantum uncertainty of the fields.

Reported by Shigehiro Nagataki

Seminar Report

iTHEMS Theoretical Physics Seminar by Dr. Masaki Tezuka on May 30, 2023

2023-05-31

On May 30, Dr. Masaki Tezuka gave a talk on Spectral correlations and scrambling dynamics in Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev(SYK) type models. He explained his recent studies on quantum chaotic features, quantum scrambling, and connections to holography and quantum error corrections in the SYK-type models.

Reported by Yuta Sekino

Seminar Report

Exploring GPT’s Influence on Natural Science and Mathematics on May 17, 2023

2023-05-28

The emergence of ChatGPT has shocked the world. Its influence on our society is inestimable, both for its possibility and its potential risk. Together with MLPhys (Foundation of “Machine Learning Physics”), we held a workshop “Exploring GPT’s Influence on Natural Science and Mathematics” on 17th May, to discuss the influence of GPT particularly on natural science and mathematics.

An introductory lecture on GPT (generative pre-trained transformer) and LLM (large language model) was given by Mr. Shota Imai (The University of Tokyo), and an introductory lecture on proof assistant system (automated theorem proving) was given by Dr. Yoshihiro Mizoguchi (Kyushu University). Around 30 people attended in place, and over 400 people attended the workshop online. Lively discussion took place among specialists of Mathematics, Physics and Computer science.

Reported by Taketo Sano (iTHEMS, RIKEN)

Upcoming Events

Seminar

iTHEMS Theoretical Physics Seminar

Termination of Superradiance from a Binary Companion

June 6 (Tue) at 13:30 - 15:00, 2023

Huiyu Zhu (Ph.D. Student, Department of Physics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong)

We study the impact of a binary companion on black hole superradiance at orbital frequencies away from the gravitational-collider-physics (GCP) resonance bands. A superradiant state can couple to a strongly absorptive state via the tidal perturbation of the companion, thereby acquiring a suppressed superradiance rate. Below a critical binary separation, this superradiance rate becomes negative, and the boson cloud gets absorbed by the black hole. This critical binary separation leads to tight constraints on GCP. Especially, a companion with mass ratio q > 10^−3 invalidates all GCP fine structure transitions, as well as almost all Bohr transitions except those from the |211> state. Meanwhile, the backreaction on the companion manifests itself as a torque acting on the binary, producing floating/sinking orbits that can be verified via pulsar timing. In addition, the possible termination of cloud growth may help to alleviate the current bounds on the ultralight boson mass from various null detections.

Venue: Hybrid Format (3F #359 and Zoom), Main Research Building, RIKEN

Event Official Language: English

Seminar

iTHEMS Math Seminar

Around homogeneous spaces of complex semisimple quantum groups

June 7 (Wed) at 14:00 - 16:30, 2023

Kan Kitamura (Ph.D. Student, Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Tokyo)

Murray and von Neumann initiated the study of operator algebras motivated by the mathematical foundations of quantum physics. Operator algebras give good language to treat quantum symmetries, such as quantum groups. In this talk, I would like to give an overview of this topic first. Then, I discuss the q-deformations of complex semisimple Lie groups. From an operator algebraic viewpoint, we can treat them as "locally compact" quantum groups. Especially, I will focus on its homogenous spaces coming from discrete quantum subgroups with a motivation toward the quantum analog of lattices. Unlike the classical setting, we can obtain a complete classification of its discrete quantum subgroups.

Reference

  1. Kan Kitamura, Discrete quantum subgroups of complex semisimple quantum groups, (2023), arXiv: 2303.14656

Venue: Seminar Room #359, 3F Main Research Building, RIKEN / via Zoom

Event Official Language: English

Seminar

iTHEMS Biology Seminar

Deciphering speciation processes: a mathematical modelling approach to biodiversity patterns

June 8 (Thu) at 10:00 - 11:00, 2023

Ryo Yamaguchi (Assistant Professor, Department of Advanced Transdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University / Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Canada)

The grandeur and complexity of Earth’s biodiversity present a challenge to comprehend the intricate mechanisms underlying speciation. Once dubbed by Darwin as the “mystery of mysteries,” speciation remains a frontier in biology, with much still cloaked in obscurity. Applying mathematical models inspired by population genetics and individual-based simulations, I aim to shed light on the complex mechanisms underlying speciation. In this talk, I focus on the concept of a “speciation cycle,” a recurring pattern integral to the formation of biodiversity. In contrast to traditional views that focus solely on a single speciation event, our approach argues for the necessity of multiple intertwined processes. These include the coexistence of closely related species, ongoing diversification, and the accumulation of new species, all while avoiding extinction. By overviewing mathematical models of each evolutionary and ecological process, I will introduce their basic ideas, and examine under what conditions the formation and coexistence of new species are promoted. Then we further explore the temporal and spatial dimensions of speciation, looking closely at the intervals between speciation events and the steady buildup of biodiversity over geological timescales. By bridging the gap between microevolutionary processes and macroevolutionary patterns, I hope to enable the prediction of biodiversity patterns based on a deeper understanding of speciation mechanisms.

Venue: via Zoom

Event Official Language: English

Workshop

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

School

g-RIPS-Sendai 2023 thumbnail

Co-hosted by iTHEMS

g-RIPS-Sendai 2023

June 19 (Mon) - August 8 (Tue), 2023

The Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS) program has been held at the Institute for Pure & Applied Mathematics (IPAM) of the University of California, Los Angeles. In 2018, the Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR) at Tohoku University in Sendai launched the g-RIPS-Sendai program in collaboration with IPAM, targeting graduate-level students in mathematical science and related disciplines. Participants from the U.S. and Japan will work on cross-cultural teams on research projects designed by industrial partners. The projects are expected to be of great interest to the partners and offer stimulating challenges to students. For more information on this year's g-RIPS-Sendai 2023, please visit the program website at the related link.

Organizers:
Research Alliance Center for Mathematical Science (RACMaS), Tohoku University
Tohoku Forum for Creativity (TFC), Tohoku University
Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University

In cooperation with the following organizations:
RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS)
Institute for Pure & Applied Mathematics (IPAM), UCLA

Venue: Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University

Lecture

2nd QGG Intensive Lectures: Large gauge transformation and infrared regularity in the inflationary universe

June 19 (Mon) - 20 (Tue), 2023

Takahiro Tanaka (Professor, Division of Physics and Astronomy, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University)

In this lecture we will start with the general framework to analyse the density perturbation in the inflationary universe. Then, we will introduce various infrared (IR) phenomena, including IR divergences, delta N formalism and consistency relation. The underlying symmetry originally coming from 3D diffeomorphism invariance leads us to a harmonic and unified understanding of these phenomena.

Program:

June 19
10:00 - 10:15 Registration and reception (with coffee)
10:15 - 11:45 Lecture 1
11:45 - 13:30 Lunch & coffee break
13:30 - 15:00 Lecture 2
15:00 - 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 - 17:30 Lecture 3
17:45 - 18:30 Short talk session

June 20
10:00 - 10:15 Reception (with coffee)
10:15 - 11:45 Lecture 4
11:45 - 13:30 Lunch & coffee break
13:30 - 15:00 Lecture 5
15:00 - 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 - 17:30 Lecture 6
17:30 - 18:30 Discussions & Closing

The lecture would consist of the following sections.

  1. Quantum field in curved spacetime
  2. General introduction to inflationary cosmology
  3. Cosmological perturbation during inflation
  4. Infrared Phenomena of Field Theory in the inflationary universe
  5. Large gauge transformation and infrared regularity

Venue: #535-537, 5F, Main Research Building, RIKEN

Event Official Language: English

Workshop

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Supported by iTHEMS

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

Seminar

ABBL-iTHEMS Joint Astro Seminar

A dynamical model for IRAS 00500+6713: the remant of a type Iax supernova SN1181 hosting a double degenerate merger product WD J005311

July 7 (Fri) at 14:00 - 15:15, 2023

Takatoshi Ko (Ph.D. Student, Research Center for the Early Universe (RESCEU), The University of Tokyo)

Iras 00500+6713 is a bright nebula in the infrared, and X-ray observations show it consists of diffuse region and strong illuminated central region. In addition, optical spectral observations have recently revealed that fast wind with about 15,000 km/s is blowing from the massive white dwarf at the center. The properties of this nebula and white dwarf are very similar to those theoretically predicted by the binary white dwarf merger. In addition, its position on the celestial sphere and the extent make it a prime candidate for the remnant of SN 1181, a historical supernova. In this study, we propose that such a multilayered structure is formed by the collision between the remnant of SN 1181 and the stellar wind blowing from the central white dwarf, and succeeded in constructing a model that is consistent with the multi-wavelength observations. The results show that the progenitor of SN 1181 is a binary white dwarf with 1.3-1.9 solar mass and that their merger triggered an explosion that ejected mass with 0.2-0.6 solar mass to form the present object. The extent of the X-ray source concentrated in the center reveals that these winds began blowing within the last 30 years, and we will discuss this property as well.

Venue: Seminar Room #359, 3F Main Research Building, RIKEN / via Zoom

Event Official Language: English

Colloquium

iTHEMS Colloquium

The eyes have it: Influenza virus infection beyond the respiratory tract

July 11 (Tue) at 14:00 - 15:30, 2023

Jessica Belser (Research Microbiologist, Influenza Division, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA)

Influenza viruses are typically considered a respiratory pathogen, but are nonetheless capable of causing ocular complications in infected individuals and establishing a respiratory infection following ocular exposure. While both human and zoonotic influenza A viruses can replicate in ocular tissue and use the eye as a portal of entry, many H7 subtype viruses possess an ocular tropism in humans, though the molecular determinants that confer a non-respiratory tropism to a respiratory virus are poorly understood. In this presentation, I will discuss the establishment of several mammalian models to study ocular exposure and ocular tropism, ongoing investigations conducted in vitro and in vivo to elucidate properties associated with ocular-tropic viruses, and ways in which this information can improve efforts to identify, treat, and prevent human infection following ocular exposure to influenza viruses. Continued investigation of the capacity for respiratory viruses to gain entry to the respiratory tract and to cause ocular complications will improve understanding of how these pathogens cause human disease, regardless of the virus subtype or exposure route.

Venue: Okochi Hall, 1F Laser Science Laboratory, RIKEN / via Zoom

Event Official Language: English

Lecture

Higher Algebra in Geometry

July 31 (Mon) - August 10 (Thu), 2023

Hiro Lee Tanaka (Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, Texas State University, USA)

In these lectures, we will shed light on modern tools of higher algebra, where the traditional structures of algebra yield themselves only after controlled deformations. We will introduce infinity-categories, spectra, operads, and other standard tools of the last decade. The main applications will be to encode various higher-algebraic structures that inevitably arise in, and shed light on, geometry and topology. If time permits, we will illustrate how spectra naturally arise in geometric invariants.

The audience is imagined to consist of mathematicians interested in applications of infinity-categorical tools -- so a broad range of geometers (including topologists) and algebraists. From Lecture Two onward, I will assume basic knowledge of algebraic topology (e.g., the material of Hatcher) and homological algebra.

These lectures will be held between July 31 and August 10, each from 10:30 to 12:00, for a total of 8 lectures.

1st Week: Jul 31(mon), Aug 1(tue) - 3(thu)
- Introduction to ideas of higher algebra in geometry, for a general audience.
- Introduction to infinity-categories and to spectra.

2nd Week: Aug 7(mon) - 10(thu)
- Examples in geometry and topology, including invariants of Legendrian links and generating functions.
- Future Directions.

Profile:
Hiro Lee Tanaka is an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics. After receiving his Ph.D. from Northwestern University and completing postdoctoral work at Harvard University, he conducted research at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in Berkeley, California, and at the Isaac Newton Institute in Cambridge, England. His research aims to fuse the higher structures in modern algebra with geometries emerging from both classical mechanics and supersymmetric field theories. Beyond research, Tanaka engages in efforts to create more equitable and supportive environments throughout the mathematics community.

References

  1. Jacob Lurie, Higher Topos Theory (PDF 4.8MB), doi: 10.1515/9781400830558
  2. Jacob Lurie, Higher Algebra (PDF 6.9MB)
  3. Kerodon - an online resource for homotopy-coherent mathematics
  4. Jacob Lurie, Hiro Lee Tanaka, Associative algebras and broken lines, arXiv: 1805.09587
  5. Jacob Lurie, On the Classification of Topological Field Theories, arXiv: 0905.0465
  6. Oleg Lazarev, Zachary Sylvan, Hiro Lee Tanaka, The infinity-category of stabilized Liouville sectors, arXiv: 2110.11754
  7. Araminta Amabel, Artem Kalmykov, Lukas Müller, Hiro Lee Tanaka, Lectures on Factorization Homology, Infinity-Categories, and Topological Field Theories, arXiv: 1907.00066
  8. David Ayala, John Francis, Hiro Lee Tanaka, Factorization homology of stratified spaces, arXiv: 1409.0848
  9. David Nadler, Hiro Lee Tanaka, A stable infinity-category of Lagrangian cobordisms, arXiv: 1109.4835
  10. David Gepner, An Introduction to Higher Categorical Algebra, arXiv: 1907.02904

Venue: #435-437, Main Research Building, RIKEN / via Zoom

Event Official Language: English

Paper of the Week

Week 1, June 2023

2023-06-01

Title: Survival Probability of Unstable States in Coupled-Channels -- nonexponential decay of "threshold-cusp"
Author: Wren A. Yamada, Osamu Morimatsu, Toru Sato, Koichi Yazaki
arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11695v2

Title: Chiral fermion in the Hamiltonian lattice gauge theory
Author: Tomoya Hayata, Katsumasa Nakayama, Arata Yamamoto
arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.18934v1

Title: QCD-Based Charge Symmetry Breaking Interaction and Okamoto-Nolen-Schiffer Anomaly
Author: Hiroyuki Sagawa, Tomoya Naito, Xavier Roca-Maza, Tetsuo Hatsuda
arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.17481v1

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