Dear all, This week, AngeloBassi from the University of Trieste is visiting ITAMP.He works on modifications of quantum theory that involve a spontaneous collapse of the wave function. For anyone interested, he will give a seminar on Thursday about such models and possible experimental tests. Best, Igor * ITAMP Seminar * Date: Thursday, December 3rd Time: 2pm Location: B-106 @ Center for Astrophysics (60 Garden Street) Directions: after entering the lobby of the CfA, turn right to enter the hallway of the B building. In the hallway, turn right again, and B-106 is there. *Speaker:* Angelo Bassi (University of Trieste) *Title:* Models of spontaneous wave function collapse: what they are, and how they can be tested *Abstract:*There are few proposals, which explicitly allow for (experimentally testable) deviations from standard quantum theory. Models of spontaneous wave function collapse (collapse models) are among the most-widely studied proposals of this kind. The Schrödinger equation is modified by including nonlinear and stochastic terms, which describe the collapse of the wave function in space. These spontaneous collapses are "rare" for microscopic systems, hence their quantum properties are left almost unaltered. On the other hand, collapses become more and more frequent, the larger the object, to the point that macroscopic superpositions are rapidly suppressed. I will briefly review the main features of collapse models. Next I will present an update of the most promising experimental tests, ranging from cosmological observations, to matter-wave interferometry, to optomechanics, to spectroscopy. -- Dr. Igor Pikovski Institute for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (ITAMP) Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics 60 Garden St, MS-14; Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Tel.: +1 (617) 496-7613 e-mail: igor.pikovski(a)cfa.harvard.edu https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/~igor.pikovski/