The week in physics: 15-19 February

Perseverance and Mars; Einsteinium; Quantum-entangled drone networks. Forward this email  View in your browser THE WEEK IN PHYSICS: 15–19 FEBRUARY Advertisement Secure Transfer of Costly and Dangerous Gases KNF leak-tight pumps transport and evacuate costly, high purity, and dangerous gases. Featuring ultra-low leak rates of <6×10-6 mbar L/sec and a safety back-up diaphragm, plus safeguards to prevent intrusion contamination. Flow rates from 15 – 290 L/min. Options include inter-diaphragm monitoring, explosion-proof motors, and material choices. Q&A: Harry Collins on acquiring and using scientific knowledge In democracies, science is a system of checks and balances, says the sociologist. Toni Feder Einsteinium chemistry captured The creation of a rare molecule offers a glimpse of how atoms behave at the periodic table's outer reaches. Johanna L. Miller Advertisement Insaco Machining of Transparent Ceramics Since 1947 Insaco has been fabricating/machining precision parts from SAPPHIRE and FUSED SILICA/QUARTZ for prototype and production applications. Applications are varied but always involve extremes of temperature, wear, chemical exposure and optical transmission. FROM THE VAULT: March 1980 Poincaré and cosmic evolution The nineteenth‐century "mathematical naturalist" enquired into the origin and stability of the solar system, the fate of the universe, and the shapes of rotating fluid masses. Stephen G. Brush Quantum-entangled drones share secure messages Researchers transmitted photonic qubits through free space using a cost-effective, mobile network of nodes. Alex Lopatka Advertisement Optimizing Quantum Research with an Efficient Test & Measurement Topology Tektronix shares examples of real topologies deployed with digitizers and signal sources. Learn about the mechanisms of how quantum experiments are triggered. See signal sources that are being used and the challenges that come with scaling. Better understand signal conditioning and the synchronization needed and learn about digitizers that enable efficient monitoring of quantum sequences. Register now. March issue preview Stressed? Depressed? You are not alone Many physicists find that establishing work–life balance is crucial to battling the COVID-related stresses of isolation, low productivity, and despondency. Toni Feder Q&A: How Perseverance will build on past Martian expeditions Mission scientists Kenneth Williford and Kathryn Stack Morgan describe the mission of the 1-ton rover and its role in seeking evidence of past life on the Red Planet. Paul K. Guinnessy Webinar Ray Optics Simulations Tune into this webinar to learn about optical ray tracing using the COMSOL Multiphysics® software. We will demonstrate how to create a geometry of a lens system and trace rays through it, and show how to combine ray optics with a structural and thermal simulation for a STOP analysis. Register now. FROM THE FEBRUARY MAGAZINE Borexino experiment detects neutrinos from the Sun's carbon-nitrogen-oxygen cycle The cycle's catalytic reactions account for just 1% of the Sun's energy, but they are the dominant energy producers in heavier stars. R. Mark Wilson FEATURED JOBS > SPIE Endowed Chair in Optical Sciences  |  James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences > Physics Teaching Jobs at K-12 Private Schools  |  ATOMS Placement Services Are you hiring? Do you want your job to appear here? Post with Physics Today and select the "Featured Job Listing: Physics Today 'The Week in Physics' e-newsletter" upgrade to easily showcase your job to 66 000 physicists and engineers. Physics Today is published by the American Institute of Physics 1 Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740 USA +1 301 209 3100 © 2021 American Institute of Physics. Unsubscribe  |  Email Preferences  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us