Physics & Astronomy Colloquium – Fall 2019 – C. Mewes / V. Veeraraghavan

Speaker: Claudia Mewes (University of Alabama)

Title: Computational Challenges in Spintronics: From First Principles to Magnetization Dynamics

Abstract: In this presentation I will give insights in different computational methods used in magnetic materials research. Focusing on three important interconnected material properties, the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, the magnetization relaxation rate, and the symmetric and antisymmetric exchange interaction, I will address the following questions: How can first principles calculations and tight binding schemes be used to design magnetic materials? What challenges do we face when we transition to a confined device design? How can we study the complex magnetization dynamics and determine the stability of a spintronic device?

Speaker: Venkatesh Veeraraghavan (University of Alabama)

Title: Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Search with nEXO

Abstract: An open question within the standard model of particle physics is whether neutrinos are their own antiparticles. Several experiments are engaged in answering this question by conducting a search for neutrinoless double beta decay. The next-generation Enriched Xenon Observatory (nEXO) is a planned experiment utilizing 5 tonnes of isotopically-enriched liquid xenon in a time projection chamber to search for neutrinoless double beta decay of Xe-136. I will present experimental aspects of preparation of the search, ongoing work to build the detector, and estimates of the sensitivity reach of nEXO experiment as determined by Monte Carlo simulation.