Talks

Current progress in quantum field theory is largely driven by the conformal bootstrap program, which aims to classify the space and properties of conformal field theories using symmetries and other fundamental constraints. In the context of the AdS/CFT Correspondence, this increasingly sophisticated endeavor doubles as a probe of foundations of quantum gravity. I will describe the current era in the holographic application of conformal field theory methods, with particular focus on the use of the conformal bootstrap to describe the spectrum and dynamics of quantum gravity and string theory beyond the classical regime.

Adiabatic evolution is a common strategy for manipulating quantum states. However, it is inherently slow and therefore susceptible to decoherence. Shortcuts to adiabaticity are methods of achieving faster adiabatic evolution, in order to maintain high fidelity in the presence of decoherence and noise. In this talk I will review recent progress on counter-diabatic (CD) driving for many-body systems. In particular, we will discuss a variational principle that allows to systematically compute approximate CD Hamiltonians. Two recent experiments will be discussed. 

Training, validation and testing datasets; methods that prevent overfitting; using supervised neural networks to classify phases of matter (classical Ising model, classical Ising gauge theory)

3d quantum gravity is a beautiful toy-model for 4d quantum gravity: it is much simpler, it does not have local degrees of freedom, yet retains enough complexity and subtlety to provide a non-trivial example of dynamical quantum geometry and open new directions of research in physics and mathematics. I will present the Ponzano-Regge model, introduced in 1968, built from tetrahedra “quantized" as 6j-symbols from the theory of recoupling of spins. I will show how it provides a discrete path integral for 3d quantum gravity, related to topological invariants and loop quantum gravity and other approaches to quantum gravity. It is also a perfect arena to investigate boundary theories and holographic dualities, with a beautiful duality with the 2d Ising model realized through a supersymmetry, and more.