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Physics Press Conference and Webcast Schedule
American Physical Society April Meeting
Denver, CO, April 13 – April 16
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COLLEGE PARK, MD, April 10, 2013 -- The following press conferences will take place during the April Meeting of the American Physical Society, April 13 – April 16, in Plaza Court 7 of the of the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.
The
press conferences will be webcast live for journalists who wish to
participate remotely. To register for the APS April Meeting webcasts, go
to http://www.apswebcasting.com
BRIEF SCHEDULE OF PRESS CONFERENCES
Note: all times listed are Mountain Daylight Time (GMT-06)
Saturday, April 13
--9:00 a.m. MDT, Digging For Higgs: Latest Results from the High-Energy Physics Frontier
--11:00 a.m. MDT, Honey, I Shrunk the Proton!: Updates on an Unsolved Scientific Mystery
--2:00 p.m. MDT, Gravitational Wave Detection: Future Prospects and New Technology
Sunday, April 14
--TBD: 10:00 a.m. OR 4:00 p.m. MDT, The Promise and Challenge of Renewable Electricity
--11:00 a.m. MDT, Beyond the Standard Model: In Search of Susy and Other New Physics
--2:00 p.m. MDT, Exploding Stars and Life on Earth: Exploring the Distant Links
Monday, April 15
--11:30 a.m. MDT, Physics for the Public
--2:00 p.m. MDT, American Science and America's Future
--3:30 p.m. MDT, Celebrating Niels Bohr: New Insights on the Man and the Quantum World he Envisioned
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DIGGING FOR HIGGS: LATEST RESULTS FROM THE HIGH-ENERGY PHYSICS FRONTIER
Saturday, April 13, 9:00 a.m. MDT
The
particle that appears to be the long-sought Higgs boson has inspired a
wealth of research into the new particle’s properties. Scientists will
discuss the status of current Higgs searches, and what finding the Higgs
means for physics. Michael Peskin (B2.00003) of SLAC and Stanford
University will talk about the predicted properties of the Higgs boson
that are now being tested at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). He will
also discuss the future of high-precision studies of this particle and
its possible partners, and the road that the Higgs boson provides to the
exploration of the larger mysteries of particle physics. Thomas Koffas
(B2.00001) of Carleton University will present an overview of efforts at
identifying the Higgs, featuring findings from both CMS and ATLAS, the
large collaborations that use the LHC. And Markus Klute (B2.00002) of
MIT will discuss the status of direct searches for a Higgs boson with
properties beyond those predicted by the Standard Model.
B2.00002 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/194971
B2.00001 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/193695
B2.00003 - http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/191961
HONEY, I SHRUNK THE PROTON!: UPDATES ON AN UNSOLVED SCIENTIFIC MYSTERY
Saturday, April 13, 11:00 a.m. MDT
In
2010, scientists performing measurements on an exotic form of hydrogen
found that the proton at the center of the atom was smaller than
expected. Despite many subsequent studies, the mysterious result still
defies explanation. Three scientists at the heart of the “proton radius
puzzle” will discuss recent results and ongoing research. John Arrington
(Q5.00003) of Argonne National Laboratory will summarize the state of
existing measurements of the proton radius and discuss ways the
measurements might be improved. Randolf Pohl (C12.00007) of the Max
Planck Institute of Quantum Optics is a member of the team that first
measured the smaller proton. He will discuss his team’s most recent
results that confirm the 2010 measurements. And Jan Bernauer of MIT, who
has performed recent measurements of the proton radius that conflict
with the new results of Pohl’s team, will discuss his team’s experiment
and possible explanations for the discrepancy. All three scientists
will describe future research efforts that might provide a clue to
solving the mystery.
Q5.00003 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192737
C12.00007 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192121
GRAVITATIONAL WAVE DETECTION: FUTURE PROSPECTS AND NEW TECHNOLOGY
Saturday, April 13, 2:00 p.m. MDT
Gravitational
waves are ripples in the fabric of space that Einstein’s Relativity
tells us must be produced in violent astrophysical events such as black
hole collisions. Advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave
Observatory) and Advanced Virgo are enormous, kilometer-long detectors
that are almost certain to detect gravitational waves in the next few
years. Such devices will open up an entirely new window on the cosmos,
essentially acting as gravitational wave telescopes. Gabriela Gonzalez
(Louisiana State University, H8.00005) will describe the currently
projected schedule, sensitivity, and sky localization accuracy for the
gravitational wave detector network in the next decade. Lisa Barsotti
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology, LIGO Laboratory, G5.00002) will
show how mature technology can be used to push precision measurement of
gravitational waves beyond the standard quantum limit by means of
squeezed states of light, and current ideas on how to integrate this
technology into Advanced LIGO. Andrew Geraci (University of Nevada,
Reno, L10.00008) will describe a novel method for gravitational wave
detection using laser-cooled, optically-levitated sensors, which could
exceed the sensitivity of next-generation gravitational wave
observatories by a factor of ten or more.
H8.00005 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192416
G5.00002 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/193858
L10.00008 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192669
THE PROMISE AND CHALLENGE OF RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY
Sunday, April 14, time TBD -- 10:00 a.m. OR 4:00p.m. MDT
We
face many challenges in the process of moving from limited fossil fuel
sources for most of our energy needs to primarily renewable electricity.
Trieu Mai (H6.00002) of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will
contemplate the extent to which renewable energy supply can meet the
electricity demands of the continental US. Michael Tamor (J6.00001) of
the Ford Motor Company will discuss the use of electricity as a
sustainable transportation fuel in electric and hybrid vehicles.
J6.00001 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192501
H6.00002 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192405
BEYOND THE STANDARD MODEL: IN SEARCH OF SUSY AND OTHER NEW PHYSICS
Sunday, April 14, 11:00 a.m. MDT
The
Standard Model theory reliably describes particle interactions, but a
complete understanding may require new physics that moves beyond this
theory. Bryan Kaufman (Q14.00008) of Northeastern University will
present one of the first examples of an explicit string theory-based
model that has the potential to be falsified by observational data. The
model makes a precise prediction about the relative masses of
supersymmetric particles, the researchers say. Kai Yi (B11.00003) of the
University of Iowa will discuss an observation of an unexplained
structure called Y(4140) that may be a new particle, using data from the
CMS detector and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Switzerland. The
particle was first seen three years ago by the CDF experiment at the
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, but its existence was not
confirmed until now. A second new particle has also been observed.
Santiago Folgueras (X11.00008) of Universidad de Oviedo will discuss his
team’s searches for supersymmetry (SUSY) particles in energy regimes
that are harder to study, but in which these particles – if they exist –
are increasingly likely to be found. The latest results use data
collected from the CMS experiment in 2012. And Sungwon Lee (Q2.00001) of
Texas Tech University will present an overview on searches for new
particles using the latest data from the two big experiments ATLAS and
CMS at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
Q14.00008 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192549
B11.00003 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192011
X11.00008 - http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/193081
Q2.00001 - http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/194958
EXPLODING STARS AND LIFE ON EARTH: EXPLORING THE DISTANT LINKS
Sunday, April 14, 2:00 p.m. MDT
When
a massive star runs out of fuel, it may end its life in a violent
explosion called a supernova that unleashes a burst of energy and matter
across the galaxy. Shawn Bishop (X8.00002) of Technische Universität
München will describe his team’s analysis of preliminary data that
suggests the fossils of ancient bacteria contain iron isotopes produced
in a supernova explosion whose debris settled over the Earth
approximately 2.8 million years ago. And Brian Thomas (X8.00001) of
Washburn University will discuss how ionizing radiation from
astrophysical events such as supernovae may deplete the Earth’s ozone
layer and damage life.
X8.00002 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192798
X8.00001 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192797
DARK MATTER AND DARK ENERGY
Monday, April 15, 9:00 a.m. MDT
The
vast majority of the universe consists of as yet unidentified dark
matter and dark energy, and scientists are getting closer to identifying
some of the candidates for these elusive particles. Leslie Rosenberg
(X2.00002) of University of Washington will review axions, an attractive
dark-matter candidate, and the status of the various searches. These
experiments are now sensitive enough to either detect the dark matter
axions if they exist, or to reject the hypothesis with high confidence,
making the next year or two “very interesting for axion researchers,”
Rosenberg says. And Alex Drlica-Wagner (G2.00002) of Stanford University
will give an overview of the latest results in indirect searches for
dark matter with a focus on space-based gamma-ray experiments.
X2.00002 - http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/193022
G2.00002 - http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192287
PHYSICS FOR THE PUBLIC
Monday, April 15
11:30 a.m. MDT
Four
leading science communicators offer their insights into effective ways
to engage the public in scientific discussions. The good astronomer and
founder of the Bad Astronomy website, Phil Plait (http://www.badastronomy.com/info/whois.html,
R7.00001) will explain why talking about science to the public is more
difficult - and more daunting - than actually doing science, and will
suggest ways to make the task easier, more productive, and more fun.
Author and science blogger Jennifer Ouellette (http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cocktail-party-physics/,
R7.00002) offers tips and tools for broad-based science communication
that she developed through writing popular science books and her blog
Cocktail Party Physics. Richard Wargo (University of California, San
Diego, R7.00003) will describe a non-conventional collaboration between
two different creative cultures in the production of the award-winning
film “When Things Get Small.” James Kakalios (University of Minnesota),
chair of the Physics for the Public session and author of the
best-selling book “The Physics of Superheroes,” will be on hand with a
selection of physics principles as illustrated in 1960’s comic books.
http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/193613
http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192833
http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/194956
AMERICAN SCIENCE AND AMERICA’S FUTURE
Monday, April 15
2:00 p.m. MDT
There
is an emerging consensus that industry should partner with government,
universities, national labs to address issues of science and technology
policy, R&D investments, and education. Jim Gates, a member of
President Obama's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology (PCAST)
from the University of Maryland will address the new PCAST report
addressing the role of the federal government investments in basic
research. President of the University of Chicago, Robert Zimmer will
tackle the opportunities for university-industry partnerships, and APS
President-elect Malcolm Beasley of Stanford University will discuss the
U.S. research enterprise as viewed by the American Physical Society
Session – T6 http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/SessionIndex2/?SessionEventID=195406
CELEBRATING NIELS BOHR: NEW INSIGHTS ON THE MAN AND THE QUANTUM WORLD HE ENVISIONED
Monday, April 15, 3:30 p.m. MDT
Twentieth-century
Danish physicist Niels Bohr’s Nobel-prizing winning description of the
structure of the atom sparked great technological advances, but left
lingering scientific and philosophical questions. Science historians
mark the one hundredth anniversary of the publication of three of Bohr’s
most famous papers by taking a fresh look at Bohr’s personality,
relationships, and scientific work. John Heilbron (P1.00001) of UC
Berkeley and Oxford University will discuss the contents of previously
unavailable correspondence between Bohr and his fiancée Margrethe
Nørlund. The letters, publically presented for the first time at the APS
April meeting, reveal Bohr’s mental ups and downs before and during the
creation of his quantum atom model. Alfred Scharff Goldhaber (X7.00001)
of Stony Brook University will examine some of the scientific questions
raised by Bohr’s model of the atom. And Don Howard of the University of
Notre Dame (X7.00003) will discuss how Bohr developed and understood
the concept of complementarity, which is one of Bohr's most original
contributions to the interpretation of quantum mechanics.
P1.00001 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/192719
X7.00001 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/193042
X7.00003 – http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/Event/193372
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MORE INFORMATION FOR JOURNALISTS
- General Meeting Information: http://www.aps.org/meetings/april/index.cfm
- Searchable Abstracts: http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR13/APS_epitome
PRESSROOM INFORMATION
A
dedicated and staffed pressroom will operate throughout the meeting at
the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Phones, computers, printers, and
free wireless Internet access will be available to reporters using the
pressroom.
- Location: Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, Plaza Court 6 and 7
- Hours: Sat.-Mon., 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Tues., 7:30 a.m. to noon
- Food service: Both breakfast and lunch will be provided Saturday through MOnday. Breakfast only will be served on Tuesday.
ABOUT APS
The American Physical Society (www.aps.org)
is a non-profit membership organization working to advance and diffuse
the knowledge of physics through its outstanding research journals,
scientific meetings, and education, outreach, advocacy and international
activities. APS represents 50,000 members, including physicists in
academia, national laboratories and industry in the United States and
throughout the world. Society offices are located in College Park, MD
(Headquarters), Ridge, NY, and Washington, DC.
