[Theory-seminars] [EXTERNAL] W&M Colloquium April 1st "Peculiar Quantum Features of Optical Vortices"

[Carl E. Carlson]

Dear JLab theory group,

Also this Friday, Andrei Afanasev will give a colloquium at W&M at 4 PM.
 Andrei worked at JLab for many years before moving to George Washington
U.,  and remains well known to many of us.  The announcement is copied
below.

Regards,
Carl

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*Physics Colloquium*
Friday, April 1, 2022
4:00 PM
Small Hall 111


*Andrei Afanasev *[Host: I. Novikova]
George Washington University
*“Peculiar Quantum Features of Optical Vortices”*


*Abstract:*“Optical vortex” is a term describing photon beams with helical
wavefronts, which quantized version is known as “twisted photons”. They are
known for their ability to carry large values of angular momentum along the
direction of propagation. In this presentation, history of optical vortices
will be reviewed and their interactions with a variety of quantum systems
will be discussed. We will demonstrate new quantum selection rules for
absorption of these photons (that were recently confirmed experimentally
with cold trapped ions); quantum ``superkick” effects; optical activity in
chiral and non-chiral matter; and novel optical polarization phenomena with
atoms and quantum dots. The talk is aimed at a broad audience of
researchers and graduate students that do not specialize in this field.

*About the speaker:*

Andrei Afanasev is an Endowed Professor of Theoretical Physics with George
Washington University in Washington, DC, USA. He received his PhD (1990) in
Nuclear and Particle Physics in Kharkiv, Ukraine in Theory Division of
Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology headed by A.Akhiezer (formerly
by Lev Landau). His research in quantum electrodynamics of electron
scattering brought him to Jefferson Lab (USA) in 1993, where he worked till
2011, until he accepted a faculty position with GWU. He has over 150
published papers in quantum electrodynamics, nuclear physics, quantum
optics, accelerator physics, dark-matter searches, and condensed matter
physics.


Open to the public
*Light snacks will be served in Small Hall 122 at 3:30 p.m.*



Cheers,

Ellie Wilkinson

William & Mary Physics
Administrative Coordinator
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