Quantum kinetic theory of light-matter interactions: From quantum plasmas to photon condensates

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:16:04 +0000

Quinta-feira, 11 de Junho 2026 das 10:00 às 12:00

Online

This thesis presents a quantum kinetic description of light–matter systems in which electrons and photons are treated as fully quantum-degenerate fields. Starting from a minimal-coupling Hamiltonian, we derive coupled Wigner equations for their phase space distributions, showing how quantum light–matter interactions enter directly at the kinetic level. Taking the semiclassical limit yields modified Vlasov and fluid equations that include explicit Hartree and Fock contributions to single-particle energies, phase space velocities, and forces, together with absorption, emission, and collision terms linking the two sectors.

First, we apply the coupled kinetic equations to degenerate electron systems. In the context of quantum plasmas, the theory uncovers hybrid plasmon–photon modes and nonlinear instabilities driven by strong light–matter coupling. Extending the analysis to bilayer solid-state systems, we show that a dynamical Fock potential reshapes the phase space flow through additional shifts in plasmon dispersion and enhancement of localization effects.

Numerical solutions reveal screening and momentum …

A multi-parameter expansion for the evolution of asymmetric binaries in astrophysical environments

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:19:56 +0000

Quinta-feira, 11 de Junho 2026 das 14:30 às 16:00

DF Seminar Room (2-8.3), 2nd floor of Physics Building

Compact binaries with large mass asymmetries - such as Extreme and Intermediate Mass Ratio Inspirals - are unique probes of the astrophysical environments in which they evolve. Their long-lived and intricate dynamics allow for precise inference of source properties, provided waveform models are accurate enough to capture the full complexity of their orbital evolution.

In this talk, I will discuss a formalism we developed, inspired by vacuum perturbation theory, to model asymmetric binaries embedded in general matter distributions. In the regime of small deviations from the Schwarzschild metric, relevant to most astrophysical scenarios, the system admits a simplified description, where both metric and fluid perturbations can be cast into wave equations closely related to those of the vacuum case.

This framework offers a practical approach to modeling the dynamics and the gravitational wave emission from binaries in realistic matter distributions, and can be modularly integrated with existing results for vacuum …

Eventos

Quantum kinetic theory of light-matter interactions: From quantum plasmas to photon condensates

A multi-parameter expansion for the evolution of asymmetric binaries in astrophysical environments