Jefferson Lab Colloquia: Jorge Piekarewicz

Speaker: Jorge Piekarewicz - Florida State University

Title: Heaven and Earth: Nuclear Astrophysics in the Multimessenger Era

Abstract: The historic detection of gravitational waves from the binary neutron star merger GW170817 by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration is providing fundamental new insights into the astrophysical site for the creation of the heaviest elements in the cosmos and the equation of state on neutron-rich matter. Since then, electromagnetic observations of neutron stars together with measurements of the properties of neutron-rich nuclei at terrestrial facilities are placing stringent constraints on the nature of neutron-rich matter. It is this unique synergy between heaven and earth that will be the focus of this presentation.

Bio: Prof. Piekarewicz received his Ph.D. in theoretical nuclear physics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985, and carried out postdoctoral research at the California Institute of Technology and Indiana University. In 1990 he joined FSU where he has been ever since. Jorge's main research interests focus on the behavior of nuclear matter under extreme conditions of density, such as those found in the interior of neutron stars. One of the main goals of his research is to use physical observables that may be determined from terrestrial experiments to constrain the properties of neutron stars. Conversely, he aims to incorporate observations from new telescopes operating at a variety of wavelengths - and that have turned neutron stars from theoretical curiosities into powerful tools - to elucidate the structure of nuclear matter at the extremes.

3:30 – 4:00 p.m. for refreshments
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. for presentation

Additional Resources:

• Biographical Sketch
• http://web2.physics.fsu.edu/~piekarewicz/
• Jorge Piekarewicz | Department of Physics (fsu.edu)