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Events for March 09, 2011
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Decoherence of Polarization Entanglement in Optical Fibers With Polarization Mode Dispersion
Wed, Mar 09, 2011 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Misha Brodsky, AT&T Labs
Talk Title: Decoherence of Polarization Entanglement in Optical Fibers With Polarization Mode Dispersion
Abstract: Quantum mechanics permits the existence of unique correlations, or entanglement, between individual particles. For a pair of entangled photons, this means that performing a measurement on one photon appears to affect the state of the other. The ability of entangled particles to act in concert is preserved even when they are separated by large distances and serves as a resource for numerous applications. For example, distributing entangled photon pairs over fiber-optic cables enables secure communication between two remote parties or could offer the possibility of interconnecting quantum computers. The vast transparency band of the installed global fiber-optic network, consisting of over a Gigameter of optical fiber cables, presents a particularly attractive opportunity for this task. The bond between entangled photons is, however, very fragile and could be lost.
Several physical phenomena set limitations on transmission of classical light pulses through optical fibers. An intriguing and crucial question is how some of these well-studied phenomena, for instance Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD), affect a polarization entangled photon pair. How far could one send entangled photons while still maintaining the connection between them?
We investigate, theoretically and experimentally, how inherent defects and miniscule imperfections in fiber-optic cables degrade entanglement between two photons transmitted over fibers. We show that the loss of entanglement could be either gradual or surprisingly abrupt. In addition, we suggest a novel way to compensate for adverse effects that occur during propagation in fibers. Finally, we define the range of fiber parameters over which entanglement remains sufficient for secure communication. The richness of the observed phenomena suggests that fiber-based entanglement distribution systems could serve as natural laboratories for studying entanglement decoherence.
A brief introduction to the topic of the talk is available on the front page of AT&T Labs website: www.research.att.com
Biography: Dr. Misha Brodsky joined AT&T Labs in 2000. His contributions to fiber optic communications focused on optical transmission systems and physics of fiber propagation, most notably through his work on polarization effects in fiber-optic networks. More recently Misha has been working on quantum communications; single photon detection; where his prime research interest is in photon entanglement and entanglement decoherence mechanisms in optical fibers.
Dr. Brodsky has authored or co-authored over 70 journal and conference papers, a book chapter and about two dozen patent applications. He is a topical editor for Optics Letters and has been active on numerous program committees for IEEE Photonics Society and OSA conferences. Dr. Brodsky holds a PhD in Physics from MIT.
Host: Daniel Lidar
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Gerrielyn Ramos
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Technology Developments and R&D Challenges for Smart Grid Applications in Homes, Buildings, and Industry
Wed, Mar 09, 2011 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Tariq Samad, Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions
Talk Title: Technology Developments and R&D Challenges for Smart Grid Applications in Homes, Buildings, and Industry
Series: CEI Distinguished Lecture Series in Energy Informatics
Abstract: The smart grid does not stop at the meter. Over 90% of the electricity generated in developed economies is consumed in homes, buildings and industrial plants. Greater attention must be paid to end-use sectors if the promised benefits of smart grids â such as reduction of electricity consumption, load shifting, better use of renewable generation and storage, reduced use of fossil fuels, and improved grid reliability â are to be achieved.
Dr. Samad will discuss current solutions that are already realizing such benefits, R&D activities under way, and outstanding challenges. The talk will cover automated demand response, remote energy diagnostics, home energy management systems, thermal storage, demand-management ancillary services, and micro-grid optimization. Current and proposed system architectures for such solutions will be presented, with examples from residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Challenges for research as well as standards development will be discussed.
Biography: Tariq Samad is a Corporate Fellow with Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions, based in Minneapolis. His career with Honeywell has spanned 25 years, during which time he contributed to automation and control technology R&D with applications to electric power systems, the process industries, building management, automotive engines, unmanned aircraft, and clean energy. His research interests relate to automation, intelligence, and autonomy for complex engineering systems.
Dr. Samad is a Fellow of the IEEE, and served as the President of IEEE Control Systems Society in 2009 and the Editor-in-chief of IEEE Control Systems Magazine. He is General Chair for the 2012 American Control Conference and is on the editorial board of IEEE Press. He holds 17 patents and has (co)authored over 100 publications. He represents Honeywell on the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute, and is a member of the Governing Board of the U.S. Smart Grid Interoperability Panel. He holds a B.S. in Engineering and Applied Science from Yale University and M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Host: Prof. S. Joe Qin and Prof. Viktor Prasanna
More Info: http://cei.usc.edu/news/lecturesLocation: Seeley G. Mudd Building (SGM) - 101
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Yogesh Simmhan
Event Link: http://cei.usc.edu/news/lectures
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The nanochemomechanics of geomaterials
Wed, Mar 09, 2011 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Alberto Ortega, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Talk Title: The nanochemomechanics of geomaterials
Abstract: Geomaterials such as rocks, soils, and concrete have emerged as crucial components in advanced engineering solutions related to enhanced oil recovery, geothermal energy, carbon sequestration, and green construction materials. These engineering challenges demand an intimate understanding of the multiscale mechanical behaviors of natural and engineered porous composites. In this presentation, a combination of experimental and theoretical microporomechanics approaches deployed at fundamental material scales is proposed as a means to decode complex mechanical responses of two geomaterials: shale, a type of clay-bearing sedimentary rock, and a high-performance cement paste. For shale, experiments involving statistical grid nanoindentation and an original application of wave dispersive spectroscopy allowed for the proper chemomechanical quantification of the in situ clay matrix response and the nature of the clay-silt grain interface. The micromechanics modeling of the clay matrix as a composite of nano-sized building blocks of clay agglomerates and nanoporosity revealed a granular and anisotropic mechanical behavior, which drives the poroelasticity of shale observed at macroscopic scales. For cement, the intrinsic solid properties of the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) phase in high-performance pastes were determined by employing a similar experimental program and the micromechanics modeling tools. The improved elasticity and strength of the solid backbone compared to those of ordinary cement pastes provided valuable insight into the effects of mix design and curing on the mechanical response of the hardened materials. The nanochemomechanics of these geomaterials learned from fundamental scales can be used as instrumental information for the design and validation of upscaling models capable of predicting macroscopic engineering properties. Furthermore, the proposed geo-genome approach represents a viable framework for the mechanical modeling of other natural porous composites.
Host: Sonny Astani Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Erin Sigman
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EE-Electrophysics Seminar
Wed, Mar 09, 2011 @ 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Faxian Xiu, Electrical Engineering Department at UCLA
Talk Title: Magnetic Nanomaterials and Nanodevices - Emerging Strategies for Beating Mooreâs Law
Abstract: Magnetic nanomaterials have potentials for developing new-generation electric devices to resolve power consumptions and variability issues in todayâs microelectronics industry. In this talk, I will present my recent research on the development of high-Curie-temperature Mn0.05Ge0.95 quantum dots with a ferromagnetic order above room temperature. I will describe an approach to probe the electric-field control of ferromagnetism in this material and demonstrate the operation temperature up to 300 K. I will also briefly discuss some of recent advance in voltage-controlled surface states in topological insulator Bi2Te3 nanoribbons. The surface states of the topological nanoribbon can be significantly enhanced up to 51 % by applying an external gate voltage. These novel magnetic and electronic materials could be potentially used for the long-sought power dissipationless applications.
Biography: Dr. Faxian Xiu is currently a staff research associate with the Electrical Engineering department at UCLA. He is associated with two research centers in California: the Functional Engineered Nano Architectonics Center and the Western Institute of Nanoelectronics. He received his Masters degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the same university in 2002, and his Ph. D. degree from the Electrical Engineering at UC Riverside in 2007. After his Ph.D., he worked for ZN technology Incorporation for two years before he joined UCLA as a staff research associate.
Dr. Xiu has interdisciplinary background involving both materials science and electrical engineering. He has over 40 peer-reviewed publications and received numerous media attention on his work of dilute magnetic semiconductors. His current research interest includes spintronic and nanoelectronic devices based on the Mn-doped Ge quantum dots and topological insulator nanoribbons.
Host: EE-Electrophysics
More Info: http://ee.usc.edu/news/seminars/eepLocation: Hedco Neurosciences Building (HNB) - 100
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Marilyn Poplawski
Event Link: http://ee.usc.edu/news/seminars/eep
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AME Department Seminar
Wed, Mar 09, 2011 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: DuÅ¡an M. Stipanović , Associate Professor, Department of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering and Control and Decision Group at the Coordinated Science Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Talk Title: An Approach to Control of Dynamic Systems with Multiple Objectives
Abstract: The challenges of controlling dynamic systems with multiple objectives are related to and furthermore include problems in multi-player dynamic games, multiobjective optimization, and decentralized control and estimation which all are known to be independently difficult and unsolved in general terms. The additional complexity is introduced through nonlinear dynamic models with delays and perturbations as well as various state, input and communication constraints. In this talk we will present a number of recent results in control of dynamic systems with multiple objectives based on a Liapunov-like approach as well as differentiable approximations of minimum and maximum and differential inequalities. We will show simulations of multi- vehicle systems achieving multiple objectives such as collision avoidance, trajectory tracking, control of formations of vehicles, and surveillance of compact domains. In addition a number of experimental results including autonomous and semi-autonomous (that is, teleoperated) ground vehicles (conducted in the Robotics Laboratory at the University of Illinois) and aerial vehicles (conducted at the Boeing Company in Seattle) will be presented.
Host: Prof. F. Udwadia
More Info: http://ame-www.usc.edu/seminars/3-9-11-stipanovic.shtmlLocation: Seaver Science Library (SSL) - 150
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: April Mundy
Event Link: http://ame-www.usc.edu/seminars/3-9-11-stipanovic.shtml
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Evaluating and Negotiating Job Offers
Wed, Mar 09, 2011 @ 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
Decision Time! How do you decipher and evaluate job offers? How do you begin the negotiations phase? Attend this workshop and learn helpful tips that will help guide you through the process.
Location: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 106
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
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Tau Beta Pi Info Session
Wed, Mar 09, 2011 @ 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Eligible students, come learn more about Tau Beta Pi and the requirements for membership.
Location: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 222
Audiences: Invited students
Contact: Tau Beta Pi
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Get Inked with SWE!
Wed, Mar 09, 2011 @ 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Come to our 3rd General Meeting of the year and get a Henna tattoo before spring break! Henna tattoo artist Gabriela will be decorating our members in this ancient form of body decoration. We will also be serving Indian food from Manas.
While you're waiting for your turn to be inked, you'll have the opportunity to chat with current Officer Council members about their roles in SWE. Elections for the new council will be coming up at the end of the month, so if you'd like to get more involved in SWE USC next year, come get answers to all your questions!Location: Von Kleinsmid Center For International & Public Affairs (VKC) - 156
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Society of Women Engineers
