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10. January 2017 09:45

Universal features of quantum dynamics: catastrophes

Prof. Duncan O'Dell
McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

I will give an update of our work on catastrophes (caustics) that appear in the dynamics of two-mode fields such as a BEC in a double well, emphasizing scaling properties and taking the point of view that these structures constitute an example of universality in dynamics. Apart from plasmon dynamics, we will also consider catastrophes associated with pi-oscillations.  Time permitting, I will also briefly introduce some other topics we are working on such as using a BEC to make a position measurement of an impurity atom, and my take on the Abraham-Minkowski controversy.