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Fall 2011 @BERKELEY INSIDE Calcium Qubits–Trapping Ions for Quantum Computing Duality and the Promise of String Theory Matter of Wonder Physics 111 Advanced Lab– Real-World Hands-On Physics for Undergraduates Undergraduate and Graduate News Alumni News and more! Cover: Top left, Professor Bob Jacobsen with student Guillermo Fong (p.11) and Alan Kubey’s sleep- directed alarm system eyeglass frames (p.13 ; Nobel ) top right, Physics at Berkeley 2011 Prize winner Saul Perlmutter Published annually by the (p.14); center, M.C. Escher Department of Physics Verbum 1942 (p.7) and Mina Aganagic with graduate student Frances Hellman: Chair Claudia Lopez: Kevin Schaeffer (p.6); bottom Director Carol Dudley: center, Sketch of two ions trapped Assistant Director below a wire which studies how Maria Hjelm, Development Officer quantum information can be Devi Mathieu: Editor, Senior Writer transmitted (p.5); bottom left, Tom Colton: Photography Sketch of a graphene-based Meg Coughlin: Design optical modulator (p.9) Department of Physics 366 Le Conte Hall #7300 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA 94720-7300 Copyright 2011 by The Regents of the University of California FEATURES Table of Contents 4 Calcium Qubits–Trapping Ions for Quantum Computing A Berkeley physicist leads the way in quantum information science Assistant professor Hartmut Häffner’s inventive approaches to understanding and controlling quantum phenomena are bringing quantum computing closer to reality. 6 Duality and the Promise of String Theory Berkeley physicist Mina Aganagic probes synergies between string theory and mathematics Associate professor in math as well as physics, Aganagic’s expertise as a theorist opens up new avenues of inquiry in both fields. 8 Matter of Wonder Optical spectroscopy reveals graphene’s extraordinary properties Through novel experimental methods, assistant professor Feng Wang is making huge strides in understanding a material with unsurpassed potential for super-fast, super-small electronics. 11 Physics 111 Advanced Lab–Real-World Hands-On Physics for Undergraduates The Physics 111 course, required of every physics major, has become a lynchpin in the well-rounded physics education Berkeley offers its undergraduates. DEPARTMENTS 2 Notes from the Chair 14 Department News 25 Physics in the Media 31 Undergraduate Affairs 34 Graduate Affairs 39 Alumni Affairs NOTES FROM THE CHAIR October 5, 2011 DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS, hat a perfect day to write this state budget shortfalls, tuition increases, and operating Wletter! Just yesterday, efficiencies affect us deeply, they should not eclipse all our department celebrated–with of the positive news that comes out of Cal and the champagne, standing ovations, and Department of Physics on a daily basis. loud cheers–the news that professor Physics has had yet another great year, filled with FRANCES HELLMAN Saul Perlmutter has received the remarkable discoveries and a new faculty hire–Gabriel 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. The award is for the discovery Orebi Gann, a particle/nuclear experimentalist special- “of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through izing in neutrino physics–as well as searches for new observations of distant supernovae”. For more details on faculty in condensed matter theory, astrophysics experi- the award, turn to page 14. ment, biophysics theory, and quantum materials. Perlmutter, along with the other researchers who We’ve also had some successful fundraising share the prize, has caused all of us to view the universe, campaigns, including the Charles H. Townes Graduate its expansion, and its fate in radically new ways. The source Fellowship, which is ahead of schedule and nearly com- of the mysterious “dark energy”, a term coined to explain pletely funded. And our $1.5 million campaign for the this accelerating expansion, is currently generating Physics 111 Advanced Lab includes a $500,000 match approximately one theory paper every three days, and from the Chancellor. has had tens of millions of hits on Google. Perlmutter, along with the other researchers who Perlmutter’s research and Nobel Prize are testaments share the prize, has caused all of us to view the to the fact that the University of California, Berkeley and universe, its expansion, and its fate in radically the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are great new ways. partners. Together they provide an incredible place to do paradigm-shifting research. THE NEXT TEN YEARS As Chancellor Birgeneau said, “One of the great Acknowledging the accomplishments of the past year aspects of Saul, of course, is that he’s a great researcher, leads me into planning the next 10 years for this depart- but he’s also a great teacher. And I, like all of you, feel ment. We have just started our decadal review, an academic blessed to have colleagues like Saul who cannot be bought tradition in which all aspects of the department are by rich, private universities.” To this I add “and a great assessed by both internal and external reviewers. “What colleague whom I feel privileged to know.” opportunities exist and what challenges face us in making MORE GOOD NEWS this department the best in the world?” is the question Exciting and happy news is most welcome, especially that frames this assessment. While the recent ranking when the hum of media coverage about UC’s precarious from the National Research Council suggests that we funding situation is the norm. While the realities of already are one of the top programs in the world, we know better than to rest on those laurels. 2 PHYSICS AT BERKELEY/FALL 2011 So, we will be looking at all sectors of the Department major, this course requires constant reassessment in order of Physics: research, teaching, students, staff, alumni, to stay current with modern times and keep up with state- facilities, and space. Over the past two years, the faculty of-the-art experiments. This is where students apply has made a big effort to consider the most exciting and their primarily classroom-based knowledge of physics to significant research directions for the department–in real-life experiments, get their hands dirty by making other words, defining the intellectual agenda. The prior- experiments work, design and create their own projects, ities of the department, in a very general sense, are and figure out that equations are not just mathematical determined by this agenda. abstractions but represent physical, measurable properties. At the heart of our strategic plan is attracting the For many students, the Advanced Lab sequence best young faculty in the burgeoning fields of physics, offers their first exposure to a wide variety of experiments, ranging from experimental astrophysics, particle physics, and it is in the Advanced Lab where many discover their and biophysics, to condensed matter physics and atomic, passion for physics. For more details, read the article molecular and optical (AMO) physics. And while strate- that begins on page 11. gically-determined research areas are important, we will State funding for this class has gradually evaporated, always keep our eyes open for excellent candidates who and we are now embarking on a campaign to add new may take us in unanticipated directions. experiments and make enhancements to the rooms, Other focus areas for the decadal review are, of desks, and learning areas. Chancellor Birgeneau has put course, teaching and students. Along with attracting the up a $500,000 match for this campaign, and we are best faculty, we must continue to attract the best graduate hoping to raise $1.5 million to make these significant and undergraduate students to the department. Endowed changes, all in line with the forward-looking decadal graduate student fellowships are key to the former, a review taking place right now. strong major program to the latter, and great research As a part of the decadal review, faculty , staff, and opportunities apply to both. students are also considering other areas of priority. I am excited to see where this review takes us and how we NEW APPROACHES TO THE PHYSICS MAJOR can make this department, YOUR department, even better. We have surveyed our graduate and undergraduate Nobel Prizes are one way to tell us that UC Berkeley’s students and learned that there is a need and desire for Department of Physics is thriving, and I consider it a more electives and a more diverse approach to the phys- great privilege as Chair to ensure that we continue to do ics major. How do we address these wishes while main- so, always aiming to be the best. ■ taining our tried and true classes and teaching methods? The Physics 111 Advanced Lab, both the Experimentation Frances Hellman has been a member of the physics faculty and Instrumentation sections, is a perfect example. A since 2004, and was named Chair in 2007. Her research is great Berkeley tradition, and the “capstone” class for the in experimental condensed matter and materials physics. 3 PHYSICS AT BERKELEY/FALL 2011 A Berkeley physicist leads the way in Calcium Qubits quantum information T RAPPING IONS FOR QUANTUM COMPUTING science would reach the point of storing information in single atoms.” At that scale, quantum effects take over and classical algo- rithms no longer work. New technologies will be required. A vast increase in the speed and volume of computa- tion and data storage could be achieved using quantum mechanical systems for information processing. Classical computer bits exist in either of two states, 1 or 0. Qubits, on the other hand, can exist in more than one state at a time. This

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