Vienna Theory Lunch Seminar

by Alessandro Manta (UV), Ivor Kresic (TU)
Luciano Montecchio (TU), Sinan Moura Soysüren (UV)

Tuesdays 12:15-13:30

held alternately at:

TU Wien (TU): Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, green area, 5th floor, seminar room DA05E10, (how to get there?)

University of Vienna (UV): Boltzmanngasse 5, 5th floor, Schrödinger Lecture Hall

We thank our kind sponsors:

Idee:

Idea:

Im Vienna Theory Lunch Seminar werden aktuelle Themen der Theoretischen Physik, die von DiplomandInnen, DoktorandInnen und PostDocs behandelt werden, aufgegriffen.

Das Niveau soll so gewählt werden, dass jeder Student und jede Studentin am Beginn des Masterstudiums dem Vortrag folgen kann. BachelorstudentInnen können besonders von dem Seminar profitieren, da es ihnen ermöglicht einen Eindruck in die Forschungsarbeit beider Universitäten zu erhalten. Die Vortragenden werden dabei auch ermutigt darüber zu sprechen, warum sie ein gewisses Forschungsgebiet gewählt haben. Dabei dürfen durchaus offene Fragen und Probleme behandelt werden und es ist nicht notwendig einen Vortrag über eine "perfekte", abgeschlossene Arbeit zu halten.

Damit es zu keinem "Zeitverlust" kommt, wird Mittagessen (Pizza) gratis zur Verfügung gestellt.

The focus of the Vienna Theory Lunch Seminar is on recent research in theoretical Physics done by Master students, PhDs and PostDocs.

The seminar is designed for graduate students but should also be comprehensible to advanced undergraduate students. Undergraduate students are particularly encouraged to attend so that they receive an overview of research activities conducted at both universities. Speakers are also encouraged to focus on their motivation for choosing their particular topic and to present open questions.

In order to avoid any "loss of time" we provide a free lunch (pizza).

Wie kann ich teilnehmen?

How can I join?

Einfach erscheinen! Um per Email informiert zu werden, bitte in die Mailingliste eintragen.

Just attend! To receive informations via email register for the mailing list.

Nov 4, 2025

TU

Luca Mrini
(Uni Wien)

Canonical Quantization of Singular Spaces: Symmetry Reduction, Mass Gap Bounds, and Non-smooth Calculus

We study the canonical quantization of singular configuration spaces and identify natural generalizations of the core structures of quantum mechanics. In this way, we propose new tools to probe non-perturbative quantum properties of singular systems, including those arising from symmetry constraints and gauge theories. Under minimal assumptions, we construct a Hilbert space of quantum states, generalized position and momentum operators, a kinetic-plus-potential Hamiltonian, and unitary quantum dynamics for such systems. Our approach is based on the non-smooth calculus of metric-measure spaces formalized over the past 15 years [Gigli, Pasqualetto 2020]. Our main result is a new technique to bound the mass gap of certain singular systems obtained via symplectic reduction by analyzing the curvature of the non-reduced configuration space. We illustrate our method for the harmonic oscillator constrained to zero angular momentum, lattice Yang-Mills theory, and a toy model for dimensional regularization.

Nov 11, 2025

UV

Fabrizio Olmeda
(ISTA)

Phase behavior of complex mixtures: Application to cacio e pepe

Phase separation has a wide range of applications—including some surprisingly culinary ones. In this talk, I will provide an overview of the state-of-the-art of phase separation in complex mixtures and how to theoretically and numerically characterize phase boundaries and out-of-equilibrium dynamics. To illustrate this, I will focus on a classic Italian dish: Pasta alla Cacio e Pepe, traditionally made with pecorino cheese and black pepper. I will present a systematic exploration of the phase behavior of the sauce, examining its stability at increasing temperatures across various proportions of cheese, water, and starch.

Nov 18, 2025

TU

Maximilian Prüfer
(TU Wien)

Quantum-limited measurements for open quantum simulators

Quantum measurements are typically implemented by coupling an isolated system to an auxiliary meter. Weak, repeated measurements therefore offer a promising route toward controllable open quantum simulators. I will present tunnel-coupled superfluids as a platform for simulating quantum fields, where optimal control techniques enable the preparation of tunable, entangled initial states. A quantum-limited generalized measurement scheme is introduced to probe quantum properties and dynamics. Finally, I will discuss progress toward implementing repeated and continuous local measurements, paving the way for fully controllable open quantum simulators.

Nov 25, 2025

UV

Tim Lüders
(Uni Wien)

Higher Hilbert spaces and reflection positivity

In the functorial axiomatization of (fully local) quantum field theory, unitarity or its Wick-rotated analogue reflection positivity is encoded using (higher) dagger categories, such as those of (higher) Hilbert spaces. In this talk, I will review the one-dimensional theory and outline generalizations to higher dimensions. In particular, we will start with the dagger category of Hilbert spaces and progress to a natural categorification, von Neumann algebras, highlighting their role in QFT starting from a duality-based topological perspective.

Dec 2, 2025

TU

Carina Karner
(TU Wien)

Learning Order: Can Neural Networks Discover Phase Transitions Without Symmetry Functions?

Phase transitions in soft matter systems — from crystallization to gelation — arise from collective particle rearrangements that are challenging to capture in full microscopic detail. Conventional approaches rely on physically inspired order parameters or symmetry functions to characterize emerging structures, but such descriptors may overlook crucial features in the often complex organisation of biolgical materials or synthetic super-structures. Here we investigate whether machine learning can uncover these hidden features directly from raw particle configurations. Using variational autoencoders trained on simulated trajectories of serveral soft matter systems, we show that the latent space encodes clear signatures of structural transitions without the need for handcrafted inputs. Our results suggest that neural networks can serve as unbiased tools to detect and interpret phase behavior in complex soft matter systems, revealing patterns that elude traditional symmetry-based analysis.

Dec 9, 2025

UV

TBA

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Dec 16, 2025

TU

Matteo Ciardi
(TU Wien)

Title

Abstract

Dec 23, 2025

NO SEMINAR

Dec 30, 2025

NO SEMINAR

Jan 6, 2026

NO SEMINAR

Jan 13, 2026

TU

Florian Ecker
(TU Wien)

Title

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Jan 20, 2026

UV

TBA

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Abstract

Jan 27, 2026

TU

Benedikt Schwarz
(TU Wien)

Title

Abstract