Prof. Anthony J. Leggett

The 2004 Alpheus Smith Lecture will be presented by Prof. Tony Leggett, University of Illinois. Professor Leggett was awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Date: April 22, 2004
Time: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: 131 Hitchcock Hall, Ohio State University

Public is Welcome!

"You Can't Drink a Quantum Liquid!"

Abstract

According to quantum mechanics, the theory used by physicists to describe nature at the atomic level, an electron or atom faced with two alternative paths or possibilities can in some sense realize both simultaneously. Things get really interesting when many such identical particles form a system. Dr. Leggett will introduce the idea of a "quantum liquid" that is a system of many particles which shows the effects of quantum mechanics. He will focus on Bose-Einstein condensation and Cooper Pairing where a large collection of "condensed particles" are forced to behave in exactly the same way. Such systems lead to spectacular effects whose explanation was recognized by the 2003 Nobel Prize.