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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251120T090000
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DTSTAMP:20260417T090219
CREATED:20251118T162058Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251118T162058Z
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SUMMARY:Jorquera\, Z. (CSE) - Quantum Entanglement Bounds and the Approximation Algorithms That Use Them
DESCRIPTION:One of the central challenges in quantum computing is finding or approximating the ground-state energy of a local Hamiltonian\, a quantum analogue of classical constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs). Among these\, the Quantum Max-Cut problem serves as a canonical example\, paralleling the classical Max-Cut problem. Despite its foundational importance in both theoretical computer science and condensed matter physics\, our understanding of approximation algorithms for Quantum Max-Cut and related local Hamiltonian problems remains limited\, primarily due to the difficulty of representing and optimizing over entangled quantum states. \nIn this advancement talk\, we introduce the quantum information background needed to contextualize the results and the significance of the proposed future work by drawing an analogy to classical optimization. We then investigate approximation algorithms for 2-local Hamiltonians beyond qubit systems\, focusing on higher-dimensional qudit analogues\, such as Quantum Max-d-Cut and a new problem we introduce: the Maximal Entanglement problem. We establish new entanglement upper bounds for these problems based on the star bound\, a key tool for analyzing entanglement monogamy in Hamiltonian optimization. For the Maximal Entanglement problem\, we show that these bounds can be efficiently certified via semidefinite programs (SDPs) and that they directly admit a (1/d + O(1/D))-approximation algorithm (where D is the degree of the interaction graph)\, which beats random assignment. For Quantum Max-d-Cut\, the star bound gives a more complicated notion of entanglement\, for which we show that the basic SDP can verify this bound for all reduced marginals on up to five vertices when d=3\, but likely fails for larger subgraphs. We further propose that b-matchings\, with b = d-1\, capture the appropriate notion of entanglement for these higher-dimensional Quantum Max-d-Cut systems\, analogous to matchings in the qubit/Quantum Max-Cut case. Leveraging this insight\, we design a novel 2-matching-based algorithm that outperforms existing approaches for Quantum Max-3-Cut\, giving an approximation ratio of 0.555. \nThe present work advances the theoretical framework for understanding approximations in qudit Hamiltonians and highlights open directions for certifying quantum upper bounds as well as finding lower bounds via approximation algorithms. \n  \nEvent Host: Zack Jorquera\, Ph.D. Student\, Computer Science and Engineering  \nAdvisor: Alexandra Kolla  \nZoom- https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/98034235739?pwd=k260nd9labWT8xoQ9Cv3m2TATGw7VB.1
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/jorquera-z-cse-quantum-entanglement-bounds-and-the-approximation-algorithms-that-use-them/
LOCATION:Engineering 2\, Engineering 2 1156 High Street\, Santa Cruz\, CA\, 95064
CATEGORIES:Ph.D. Presentations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251121T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251121T140000
DTSTAMP:20260417T090219
CREATED:20251118T163526Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251118T163526Z
UID:10005179-1763728200-1763733600@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Ramollari\, H. (ECE) - An Optofluidic Spectrometer and Applications in Biosensing
DESCRIPTION:Miniaturized spectrometers have the potential to replace bulky and expensive benchtop models. We have previously demonstrated a multimode interference (MMI) waveguide-based spectrometer that achieves high performance while minimizing its footprint. \nIn this talk\, the integration of the MMI spectrometer into an optofluidic device is proposed. This integration opens up applications such as the detection of single particle fluorescence spectra and absorption spectra. \nMoreover\, adding a metasurface to the spectrometer waveguide is expected to enhance the sensitivity of single particle detection and simplify the analysis methods. \nFinally\, to improve the MMI waveguide spectrometer a new nanophotonic platform is proposed. \nEvent Host: Helio Ramollari\, Ph.D. Student\, Electrical Engineering  \nAdvisor: Holger Schmidt  \nZoom- https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/99623652977?pwd=j2hy77fV9jdGuEzI0iGa5JVAa35W1b.1 \nPasscode- 576057
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/ramollari-h-ece-an-optofluidic-spectrometer-and-applications-in-biosensing/
LOCATION:Engineering 2\, Engineering 2 1156 High Street\, Santa Cruz\, CA\, 95064
CATEGORIES:Ph.D. Presentations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251121T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251121T160000
DTSTAMP:20260417T090219
CREATED:20251021T182427Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251022T181942Z
UID:10004960-1763733600-1763740800@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Torres\, S. (ECE) - An Integrated Platform for Real-time Monitoring and Support of 3D Tissue Growth
DESCRIPTION:Organoids are three-dimensional tissue cultures that model real organs and serve as valuable tools for studying development\, disease\, and treatment response. Traditional methods\, which rely on manual handling and incubators\, limit consistency and real-time monitoring. To address these issues\, we developed a modular microfluidic platform that integrates automated feeding\, live fluorescence imaging\, and environmental control without the need for a standard incubator. The core of the system is a vertically oriented PDMS-glass chip that enables precise media delivery and continuous imaging of small 3D structures such as organoids. Using fluorescent dyes to mimic molecules\, such as nutrients or drugs\, we tracked their movement through tissue in real time without invasive sensors. This setup maintains metabolic stability and provides detailed insight into molecular transport\, which improves applications in disease modeling\, drug testing\, and personalized medicine. \n  \nEvent Host- Sebastián Torres\, Ph.D. Candidate\, Electrical & Computer Engineering  \nAdvisor: Mircea Teodorescu \n  \nZoom- https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/2333595627?pwd=aWtwL3V2QnFTMkNDSWowZnRNS0xSQT09 \nPasscode- 579836
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/torres-s-ece-an-integrated-platform-for-real-time-monitoring-and-support-of-3d-tissue-growth/
LOCATION:
CATEGORIES:Ph.D. Presentations
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