Superoscillations in waves: old, new, common, uncommon
- Starts: 12:30 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2022
- Ends: 1:30 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2022
In physics, the mathematical phenomenon of superoscillations, in which
functions vary faster than their fastest Fourer components (‘faster than they
should’), is associated with almost-destructive interference, and occurs near
phase singularities in optics and on the world’s ocean tides; and it is associated
with quantum weak measurements. Superoscillations are a compact way to
represent fractals. In light represented by scalar waves, and in many contexts in
quantum physics, superoscillations are rather common; but in light represented
by electric fields - and more so when magnetic fields are included - they are
unexpectedly rare. Differentiation suppresses superoscillations. There is
superoscillatory structure near the flux in the Aharonov-Bohm wave.
Superoscillations in red light can escape as gamma radiation.
- Location:
- RKC 101
- Host
- David Campbell
- Speaker
- Sir Michael Berry
- Institution
- University of Bristol, Europe