CSEE processor Samuel J. Lomonaco is giving a talk on his research on quantum computing as part of the Joint Quantum Institute seminar series sponsored by UMCP and NIST. The talk will be given at 12:30pm Monday 17 October, in room 1201 in the Physics building at College Park.

Quantum knots and quantum braids: Their possible application to superfluid vortices and to topological quantum computing in optical lattices.

In this talk, we show how to reconstruct knot theory in such a way that it is intimately related to quantum physics. In particular, we give a blueprint for creating a quantum system that has the dynamic behavior of a closed knotted piece of rope moving in 3-space. Within this framework, knot invariants become physically measurable quantum observables, knot moves become unitary transformations, with knot dynamics determined by the Schroedinger equation. The same approach can also be applied to the theory of braids. Toward the end of the talk, we look at possible applications to superfluid vortices and to topological quantum computing in optical lattices.

For more information, see the entry on the Joint Quantum Institute calendar.

This October is the the eighth annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

According to the DHS, cyber threats present some of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face, not just in the United States, but throughout the world. Everyone who uses the Internet has a role to play in helping to secure it and thus enhance the safety for themselves and their families online.

See the DHS National Cyber Security Awareness Month site for more information, including suggestions for what you can do.

Beyoncé’s baby bump made big news a few months ago, and now she’s making some big news again: bumpgate.

Conspiracy theories surfaced this week accusing Beyoncé of wearing a fake baby bump.  Theorists pointed to these screenshots, observing how the baby bump seems to “deflate.”

The Daily Beast offers many explanations for skeptics, but they have yet to answer one question – why do we care?

As Jezebel explains…

All we know for sure is that there’s a new hoop for actresses to jump through now. In addition to looking perfectly svelte pre-pregnancy, submitting to a constant bump-watch, and dropping the baby weight immediately, they must now make sure their pregnancies are convincing.

Let’s all give Beyoncé and her baby bump a break…we’ll find out the truth in February.

Overthrowing the Lord: Obama sends troops to Uganda.

Stay Alabama!  Court grants emergency stay for parts of controversial immigration bill.

Congress Protecting Life?

Occupying Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo.

Polar bear misconduct?