Marin Soljacic –Photonics & fast-electrons and Photonics & AI

Marin Soljacic

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abstract

My talk will consist of two somewhat separate parts. In the first part, I will discuss certain aspects of radiation phenomena that occurs when fast electrons interact with nanophotonic structures. In particular, nanophotonic methods provide intriguing options for manipulating scintillation phenomena. I will outline recent developments in this domain, along with our theoretical framework for modeling these occurrences, supported by our experimental findings. Additionally, Smith-Purcell radiation, characterized by fast electrons interacting with nano-structured materials to produce light, offers a broad spectrum of possibilities for creation of novel light sources. I will present some of our recent results in this field.

In the second part of my talk, I will discuss certain intersections between the field of AI and the field of photonics (and science in general). I will start by discussing photonic-enhanced hardware for AI. I will also present some novel AI techniques for photonics and physics in general. I will focus on certain interpretable AI techniques, including symbolic regression. Also, our new concept of machine-learned chemical property (which we call “topogivity”) will be presented: roughly, topogivity of a given atom presents that material’s propensity to form topological materials.

Leuchs-Russell Auditorium, A.1.500, Staudtstr. 2
Location details