Calendar

I will discuss applying the theory of harmonic analysis on the fundamental domain of SL(2,Z) to partition functions of 2d conformal field theories. As an application I will decompose the partition function of c free bosons on a Narain lattice into eigenfunctions of the Laplacians of worldsheet moduli space H/SL(2,Z) and of target space moduli space O(c,c;Z)\O(c,c;R)/O(c)xO(c). This decomposition will make certain properties of Narain theories including their ensemble averages manifest. I will also discuss applying harmonic analysis to a general irrational 2d CFT and its connection with gravity in AdS3. I will prove that the primary spectrum of any 2d CFT is fully determined by a certain subset of degeneracies.

Zoom: https://harvard.zoom.us/j/977347126

I discuss a nonrelativistic version of Georgi’s “unparticle physics”. An “un-nucleus” is a field in a nonrelativistic conformal field theory characterized by a mass and a scaling dimension. It is realized approximately in high-energy nuclear reactions involving emission of a few neutrons with relative energies between about 0.1 MeV and 5 MeV. Conformal symmetry predicts a power law behavior of the inclusive cross section in this kinematic regime. I compare the predictions with previous theoretical calculations of nuclear reactions and point out opportunities to measure un-nuclei at radioactive beam facilities. Finally, I comment on the possibility to create unparticles of neutral D mesons in short-distance reactions at the LHC.

Zoom: https://harvard.zoom.us/j/977347126

SARS-CoV-2 etiological pathogen of COVID-19 has resulted in a pandemic. There remains an urgent need of innovative technology of developing rapid diagnosis of active infections and affordable antiviral precise medicine for therapeutics. Most viruses have repetitive surface antigen units laid out on the virions following specific patterns forming the viral capsid or envelop. To develop precise instant diagnosis of active SARS-CoV-2 infections and novel antiviral candidates against SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission we exploited the structural characteristics of viral surface proteins that can be matched at nanoscale precision by engineered DNA nanostructure platforms. Our preliminary data demonstrated that these pattern-matching DNA nanostructures can enable specific and sensitive sensing of SARS-CoV-2 viruses and have sufficient antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviral and live viral infections. Our method can be transferrable to develop rapid diagnosis and precise inhibition of other enveloped viruses such as influenza and HIV. We are seeking expert advice from the mathematical and computational community to help with optimization of the DNA-based nanostructures.

Zoom: https://harvard.zoom.us/j/98248914765?pwd=Q01tRTVWTVBGT0lXek40VzdxdVVPQT09

(Password: 419419)

Many of the previous approaches for the firewall puzzle rely on a hypothesis that interior partner modes are embedded on the early radiation of a maximally entangled black hole. Quantum information theory, however, casts doubt on this folklore and suggests a different tale; the outgoing Hawking mode will be decoupled from the early radiation once an infalling observer, with finite positive energy, jumps into a black hole. In this talk, I will provide counterarguments against current mainstream proposals and present an alternative resolution of the firewall puzzle which is consistent with predictions from quantum information theory. My proposal builds on the fact that interior operators can be constructed in a state-independent manner once an infalling observer is explicitly included as a part of the quantum system. Hence, my approach resolves a version of the firewall puzzle for typical black hole microstates as well on an equal footing.

https://harvard.zoom.us/j/977347126