Vorträge, Kolloquien

17:00 Uhr INF 308, HS 1
Prof. Dr. Luciano Rezzolla Institute of Theoretical Physics, Frankfurt

Binary neutron stars: Einstein's richest laboratory

If black holes represent one of the most fascinating implications of Einstein's theory of gravity, neutron stars in binary system are arguably its richest laboratory, where gravity blends with astrophysics and particle physics. I will discuss the rapid recent progress made in modelling these systems and show how the inspiral and merger of a binary system of neutron stars is more than a strong source of gravitational waves. Indeed, while the gravitational signal can provide tight constraints on the equation of state for matter at nuclear densities, the formation of a black-hole--torus system can explain much of the phenomenology of short gamma-ray bursts, while the ejection of matter during the merger can shed light on the chemical enrichment of the universe. Finally, I will review how our understanding on the maximum mass and radii of neutron stars has improved with the detection of GW170817.

17:15 Uhr Neues Physikalisches Institut INF 226, Konferenzraum 1-3 (Room 00.101 bis 00.103)
Dr. Aldo Antognini ETH Zürich (Schweiz)

Spectroscopy of muonic atoms

17:00 Uhr Kirchhoff-Institut, INF 227 SR 1.403, SR 1.403
Paola Cappellaro Quantum Engineering Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

tba

16:15 Uhr Philosophenweg 12, großer Hörsaal
Francois Boulanger Université Paris-Sud, France

The Planck view at the magnetized dusty interstellar medium

Observations of Galactic dust are a highlight and a lasting legacy of the Planck space mission. Spectacular images combining the intensity of dust emission with the texture derived from polarization data have received world-wide attention and become part of the general scientific knowledge. Beyond this popular success, the dust maps are an immense step forward for Galactic astrophysics, greatly superseding earlier observations. Planck has provided us with the data needed to statistically characterize the structure of the Galactic magnetic field and its coupling with interstellar matter and turbulence. Planck multi-frequency observations have also opened a new perspective on interstellar dust, upsetting existing models. Futrhermore, the astrophysics of dust emission has become inter-connected to a paramount objective of observational cosmology: the quest for curl-like (B-mode) polarization of the cosmic microwave background expected to arise from primordial gravitational waves produced during the inflation era in the very early Universe. I will introduce these science topics and highlight key results and perspectives of on-going research.