In the presentation, I will discuss the exploration of neutron star matter using phenomenological models, focusing on how exotic particles like antikaons, hyperons as well as Delta-resonances influence the neutron star equation of state (EoS). The discussion will cover how antikaon optical potentials and kaon condensation affect the stability and structure of neutron stars, as well as the potential for hadron-quark phase transitions leading to quark matter cores in massive stars. I will also highlight the study of non-radial oscillation modes which provide insights into the internal structure and composition of neutron stars. These oscillation modes are essential for understanding neutron star asteroseismology and interpreting gravitational wave signals from neutron star mergers. By comparing theoretical predictions with observational data, including mass, radius, cooling rates, and gravitational wave detections, the presentation aims to refine constraints on the EoS and enhance our understanding of dense matter in compact stars.

Based on our paper [1], this presentation will show the application of complex scaling method(CSM) to scattering calculations of atomic systems. While CSM has been extensively used to study resonance states, the application of CSM to scattering calculations was proposed recently with applications in nuclear physics. In our study, we apply the CSM scattering calculation to atomic systems and propose an effective correction to avoid the problem of slow convergence to the number of complex eigen energies. Our results with the effective correction agree well with those reported in the literature for positron scattering with the targets Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, H, He, He+, and Li2+.
In this presentation, we introduce the framework of phase-shift calculation using the CSM together with the examples of the positron scattering, and advantages and features of this approach.

[This seminar is co-hosted by Few-body Systems in Physics Laboratory, RIKEN Nishina Center.]

Phase transitions are typically classified as either first-order or second-order. The formation of topological defects in second-order phase transitions is well described by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism, while nucleation theory addresses first-order phase transitions. However, certain systems, such as superconductors and liquid crystals, can exhibit “weakly first-order” phase transitions that do not fit into these established frameworks. In this presentation, I introduce a new theoretical approach that combines the Kibble-Zurek mechanism with nucleation theory to explain topological defect formation in weakly first-order phase transitions. Additionally, I will discuss nonlinear quantum phase transitions that exhibit behaviors similar to weakly first-order transitions, which can be related to experiments with ultra-cold Rydberg atoms.

Diffusion models have emerged as powerful tools in generative modeling, especially in image generation tasks. In this talk, we introduce a novel perspective by formulating diffusion models using the path integral method introduced by Feynman for describing quantum mechanics. We find this formulation providing comprehensive descriptions of score-based diffusion generative models, such as the derivation of backward stochastic differential equations and loss functions for optimization. The formulation accommodates an interpolating parameter connecting stochastic and deterministic sampling schemes, and this parameter can be identified as a counterpart of Planck's constant in quantum physics. This analogy enables us to apply the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) expansion, a well-established technique in quantum physics, for evaluating the negative log-likelihood to assess the performance disparity between stochastic and deterministic sampling schemes.

Reproductive isolation is the inability of a species to breed with related species and thus is a key to evolution of new species in flowering plants. In interspecific crosses between closely related species, a stage of pollen tube reception by female tissues of the pistil act as a pivotal hybridization barrier. Within the genus Arabidopsis, pistils of Arabidopsis thaliana can be fertilized by pollen from its relative species, but about half of the ovules reject the release of sperm from heterospecific pollen tubes and these rejected pollen tubes continue growing inside the embryo sacs (referred to as pollen tube overgrowth). A loss-of function mutant line of ARTUMES gene, encoding a subunit of the oligosaccharyltransferase complex, pollinated with heterospecific pollen shows a higher overgrowth rate than the wild type, suggesting that ARTUMES is involved in interspecific pollen tube reception. However, its molecular mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we report that some knockout lines of receptor kinases show ARTUMES mutant-like impairment in interspecific pollen tube reception, indicating that these receptor kinases might be potentially the target proteins of ARTUMES. We anticipate these receptors recognize the ligands from conspecific (self) pollen and heterospecific pollen either in the presence of ARTUMES, thus they can lead successful interspecific fertilization. We also identified ARTUMES mutant shows abnormal calcium dynamics in their female tissue during pollen tube reception. In this talk, I would like to briefly mention about how mathematical modeling can be promoting to pursue the questions regarding calcium dynamics reflecting male-female communication during fertilization. We anticipate these mechanisms that enable interspecific fertilization contribute to rapid development and diversification of flowering plants in recent geological time.

Recently, there has been a growing trend to consider cognitive, and social phenomena as Open Quantum Systems, and to mathematically define the fundamental principles behind them through so-called “Quantum-Like Modeling”. It has been extremely difficult to systematically explain complexities of such phenomena within humans’ cognitive traits based on classical “rational” reasoning. Quantum-Like Modeling suggests that using quantum probability calculus and its applications could be useful to rationalize such phenomena and expand previous understandings, obtained through simple linear algebra, by applying quantum formalizations. Just as physicists explored a new branch of mathematics, the theory of operators in complex Hilbert space, to describe the quantum phenomena in an effective way, considerations here will be built on the methodology and mathematical apparatus of quantum theory and directed to applications outside of physics, namely to, cognition, psychology, decision-making, economics, finances, as well as the social and political sciences.

Programme
14:00~14:10 Atsushi Iriki: Introduction. Potential of quantum computing for humanities
14:10~15:10 Andrei Khrennikov: Tutorial. Ubiquitous Quantum: from genetics and biological evolution to cognition, psychology, decision making, and social science
15:10~15:40 Masanao Ozawa: Quantum Instrument -- Measurement to cognition with QC-simulation
Break
16:00~16:30 Haruki Emori: Applications of quantum computers to cognitive sciences based on Quantum Instrument
16:30~17:00 Miho Fuyama: Subjective Experiences and Superposition State in Narrative Reading
17:00~17:30 General Discussion
18:00~19:00 Networking Mixer (RIKEN canteen #1)

Registration Deadline
September 26 (Thur), 2024 (for those attending both the workshop and networking mixer (banquet, free of charge))
October 4 (Fri), 2024 (for those attending only the workshop)

Digital twinning, widely used in fields like industrial and agricultural engineering, creates digital replicas of physical systems. When applied to plant circadian clocks, these digital twins simulate physiological processes governed by circadian rhythms. This technology aids in predicting and optimizing plant growth and productivity in controlled environments, such as greenhouses and plant factories (vertical farms). By understanding key processes like photosynthesis and nutrient uptake, researchers can more effectively manage environmental factors, boosting crop yields and reducing waste. The integration of robotics and virtual reality further enhances these systems, enabling precise automation and real-time optimization. This presentation will explore these advancements, with a focus on mathematical models for controlling circadian clocks.

This year's meeting on "Outreach of RIKEN iTHEMS 2024@Sendai&Zoom" will be held from FRI November 15 to SUN November 17, 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.

14:45-15:00 Teatime discussion
15:00-16:00 Talk by Dr. Ryusuke Hamazaki (RIKEN Hakubi Team Leader, Nonequilibrium Quantum Statistical Mechanics RIKEN Hakubi Research Team)
16:15-17:15 Talk by Dr. Teruaki Enoto (Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Division of Physics and Astronomy, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University)
17:15-18:00 Discussion

The density functional theory (DFT) is one of the powerful methods to solve quantum many-body problems, which, in principle, gives the exact energy and density of the ground state. The accuracy of DFT is, in practice, determined by the accuracy of an energy density functional (EDF) since the exact EDF is still unknown. Currently, DFT has been used in many communities, including nuclear physics, quantum chemistry, and condensed matter physics, while the fundamental study of DFT, such as the first principle derivations of an accurate EDF and methods to calculate many observables from obtained densities and excited states, is still ongoing. However, there has been little opportunity to have interdisciplinary communication.

On December 2022, we had the first workshop on this series (DFT2022) at Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University, and several interdisciplinary discussions and collaborations were started. On February 2024, we had the second workshop on this series (DFT2024) at RIKEN Kobe Campus, and more stimulated discussion occured. To keep and extend collaborations, we organize the third workshop. Since the third workshop, we extend the scope of the workshop to the development and application of DFT as well. In this workshop, the current status and issues of each discipline will be shared towards solving these problems by meeting together among researchers in mathematics, nuclear physics, quantum chemistry, and condensed matter physics.

This workshop mainly comprises lectures/seminars on cutting-edge topics and discussion, while sessions composed of contributed talks are also planned.