Thu 16 Apr 11:00: CANCELLED: James Rogers
In person
- Speaker: James Rogers (Kavli Senior Fellow in Exoplanets, IoA, Cambridge)
- Thursday 16 April 2026, 11:00-12:00
- Venue: Thirkill Room, Old Court, Clare College.
- Series: LCLU Coffee Meetings; organiser: Paul B. Rimmer.
Wed 29 Apr 16:00: Descending into the Modular Bootstrap
The modular bootstrap has been a powerful tool for carving out the landscape of allowed two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs). In this colloquium, I describe a complementary approach to standard modular bootstrap bounds: using modern machine learning strategies to actively search for CFT spectra that yield a valid torus partition function. Using insights from statistical inference and a custom singular-value-based optimizer, I present evidence for an obstruction to finding CFTs with small central charge and large spectral gaps, and I speculate on what this might imply for the structure of the CFT landscape. Along the way, I reflect on “centaur” approaches to theoretical physics, where human physicists and artificial intelligence collaborate to explore spaces of theories that would be difficult to navigate alone.
- Speaker: Professor Jesse Thaler (MIT / IAIFI)
- Wednesday 29 April 2026, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: MR3.
- Series: Theoretical Physics Colloquium; organiser: Amanda Stagg.
Wed 29 Apr 16:00: Descending into the Modular Bootstrap
The modular bootstrap has been a powerful tool for carving out the landscape of allowed two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs). In this colloquium, I describe a complementary approach to standard modular bootstrap bounds: using modern machine learning strategies to actively search for CFT spectra that yield a valid torus partition function. Using insights from statistical inference and a custom singular-value-based optimizer, I present evidence for an obstruction to finding CFTs with small central charge and large spectral gaps, and I speculate on what this might imply for the structure of the CFT landscape. Along the way, I reflect on “centaur” approaches to theoretical physics, where human physicists and artificial intelligence collaborate to explore spaces of theories that would be difficult to navigate alone.
- Speaker: Professor Jesse Thaler (MIT / IAIFI)
- Wednesday 29 April 2026, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: MR3.
- Series: Theoretical Physics Colloquium; organiser: Amanda Stagg.
Wed 29 Apr 16:00: Descending into the Modular Bootstrap
The modular bootstrap has been a powerful tool for carving out the landscape of allowed two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs). In this colloquium, I describe a complementary approach to standard modular bootstrap bounds: using modern machine learning strategies to actively search for CFT spectra that yield a valid torus partition function. Using insights from statistical inference and a custom singular-value-based optimizer, I present evidence for an obstruction to finding CFTs with small central charge and large spectral gaps, and I speculate on what this might imply for the structure of the CFT landscape. Along the way, I reflect on “centaur” approaches to theoretical physics, where human physicists and artificial intelligence collaborate to explore spaces of theories that would be difficult to navigate alone.
- Speaker: Professor Jesse Thaler (MIT / IAIFI)
- Wednesday 29 April 2026, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: MR3.
- Series: Theoretical Physics Colloquium; organiser: Amanda Stagg.
Wed 29 Apr 16:00: Descending into the Modular Bootstrap
The modular bootstrap has been a powerful tool for carving out the landscape of allowed two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs). In this colloquium, I describe a complementary approach to standard modular bootstrap bounds: using modern machine learning strategies to actively search for CFT spectra that yield a valid torus partition function. Using insights from statistical inference and a custom singular-value-based optimizer, I present evidence for an obstruction to finding CFTs with small central charge and large spectral gaps, and I speculate on what this might imply for the structure of the CFT landscape. Along the way, I reflect on “centaur” approaches to theoretical physics, where human physicists and artificial intelligence collaborate to explore spaces of theories that would be difficult to navigate alone.
- Speaker: Professor Jesse Thaler (MIT / IAIFI)
- Wednesday 29 April 2026, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: MR3.
- Series: Theoretical Physics Colloquium; organiser: Amanda Stagg.
Thu 30 Apr 16:00: From stellar twins to double black holes – what gravitational waves are telling us about stars
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Selma de Mink (MPA)
- Thursday 30 April 2026, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: Hoyle Lecture Theatre, Institute of Astronomy (and online - details to be sent by e-mail).
- Series: The Kavli Lectures; organiser: es771.
Tue 12 May 16:00: Strange New Worlds
Super-Earths and sub-Neptunes are the most abundant exoplanets discovered in our galaxy to date. However, much of their nature and origin remains shrouded in mystery. Generally speaking, super-Earths and sub-Neptunes are thought to have formed as one population with primordial hydrogen-dominated envelopes. However, most super-Earths lost their primordial atmospheres via thermally driven winds. In my talk, I will present new planet formation and evolution models that include the interplay between physics and chemistry and apply them to Earth, super-Earths and sub-Neptunes. I will show that magma ocean – atmosphere interactions expected in sub-Neptune exoplanets lead to signatures in their transmission spectra that are readily observable with JWST . In addition, hydrogen is efficiently sequestered into the interior, oxidizing iron and endogenously producing water. I will conclude by discussing possible parallels between Earth’s formation and that of super-Earths, shedding new light on Earth’s primary water reservoir, origin of the light elements in its iron core and oxidation state.
- Speaker: Prof Hilke Schlichting, Professor of Exoplanets & Planetary Science; Associate Dean for Research, Physical Sciences, UCLA
- Tuesday 12 May 2026, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: Hoyle Lecture Theatre, Institute of Astronomy.
- Series: Institute of Astronomy Colloquia; organiser: Ruby Ng.
Tue 12 May 16:00: Strange New Worlds
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Speaker to be confirmed
- Tuesday 12 May 2026, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: Hoyle Lecture Theatre, Institute of Astronomy.
- Series: Institute of Astronomy Colloquia; organiser: Ruby Ng.
Fri 10 Apr 16:00: Test
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Speaker to be confirmed
- Friday 10 April 2026, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: Hoyle Lecture Theatre, Institute of Astronomy.
- Series: Institute of Astronomy Colloquia; organiser: Deryck Thake.
Tue 05 May 13:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Azadeh Moradinezhad (LAPTh Annecy)
- Tuesday 05 May 2026, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: CMS, Pav. B, CTC Common Room (B1.19) [Potter Room].
- Series: Cosmology Lunch; organiser: Gonzalo Villa.
Mon 15 Jun 13:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Speaker to be confirmed
- Monday 15 June 2026, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: CMS, Pav. B, CTC Common Room (B1.19) [Potter Room].
- Series: Cosmology Lunch; organiser: Gonzalo Villa.
Mon 08 Jun 13:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: TBC
- Monday 08 June 2026, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: CMS, Pav. B, CTC Common Room (B1.19) [Potter Room].
- Series: Cosmology Lunch; organiser: Gonzalo Villa.
Mon 01 Jun 13:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Colin Hill (Columbia)
- Monday 01 June 2026, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: CMS, Pav. B, CTC Common Room (B1.19) [Potter Room].
- Series: Cosmology Lunch; organiser: Gonzalo Villa.
Tue 26 May 13:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Marta Spinelli (OCA & University of the Western Cape)
- Tuesday 26 May 2026, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: CMS, Pav. B, CTC Common Room (B1.19) [Potter Room].
- Series: Cosmology Lunch; organiser: Gonzalo Villa.
Mon 18 May 13:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Rachel Gray (Glasgow)
- Monday 18 May 2026, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: CMS, Pav. B, CTC Common Room (B1.19) [Potter Room].
- Series: Cosmology Lunch; organiser: Gonzalo Villa.
Tue 12 May 13:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Laura Wolz (University of Manchester)
- Tuesday 12 May 2026, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: CMS, Pav. B, CTC Common Room (B1.19) [Potter Room].
- Series: Cosmology Lunch; organiser: Gonzalo Villa.
Tue 05 May 13:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: TBC
- Tuesday 05 May 2026, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: CMS, Pav. B, CTC Common Room (B1.19) [Potter Room].
- Series: Cosmology Lunch; organiser: Gonzalo Villa.
Mon 27 Apr 13:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Antonio Iovino (NYUAD)
- Monday 27 April 2026, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: CMS, Pav. B, CTC Common Room (B1.19) [Potter Room].
- Series: Cosmology Lunch; organiser: Gonzalo Villa.
Thu 19 Mar 16:00: Descending into the Modular Bootstrap
The modular bootstrap has been a powerful tool for carving out the landscape of allowed two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs). In this colloquium, I describe a complementary approach to standard modular bootstrap bounds: using modern machine learning strategies to actively search for CFT spectra that yield a valid torus partition function. Using insights from statistical inference and a custom singular-value-based optimizer, I present evidence for an obstruction to finding CFTs with small central charge and large spectral gaps, and I speculate on what this might imply for the structure of the CFT landscape. Along the way, I reflect on “centaur” approaches to theoretical physics, where human physicists and artificial intelligence collaborate to explore spaces of theories that would be difficult to navigate alone.
- Speaker: Professor Jesse Thaler (MIT/IAIFI)
- Thursday 19 March 2026, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: MR3.
- Series: Theoretical Physics Colloquium; organiser: Amanda Stagg.
Wed 18 Mar 14:00: From Protostars to Protoplanets: Towards a Population-level simulation study of gravitationally unstable gas discs
Simulations of collapsing giant molecular clouds show protostars forming with discs that may be massive enough to become gravitationally unstable. This may play a key role both in the formation of the star itself, and in the formation of giant planets through disc fragmentation. We extract a set of young discs (less than 1e5 years) from a global cloud collapse simulation (Bate 2012). We upscale the resolution of these discs using a novel particle splitting method and employ an improved radiative cooling approximation in our runs – both as a requirement to accurately capture fragmenting planetary-mass clumps. This suite of physically-motivated simulations from non-idealised initial conditions should provide a valuable insight into the frequency of disc fragmentation and any resultant protoplanetary population. In this talk I will present the workflow and numerical methods involved in this population study, as well as some key insights from early results
- Speaker: Adam Koval (Edinburgh)
- Wednesday 18 March 2026, 14:00-15:00
- Venue: MR14 DAMTP and online.
- Series: DAMTP Astrophysics Seminars; organiser: Thomas Jannaud.