Abstract:

In this talk I will emphasize the commonalities between two distinct quantum many-body systems. I will go over the difficulties involved in describing neutron-star properties from first principles, and will provide a brief introduction to modern ab initio low-energy nuclear theory, including possible connections with the underlying theory of Quantum Chromodynamics. I will then abstract away all these complexities and discuss how terrestrial experiments with ultracold atomic gases can help us constrain nuclear theory and therefore impact astrophysics. This will include recent results on strongly interacting two-dimensional Fermi gases.