Many Body Physics

Nonlinear behavior is by no means a negative thing. Ubiquitous in nature, it can be found in the response of climate to warming, in the dynamics of the solar wind, and in the spread of pandemics. In this episode, Tommaso Alberti invites everybody to marvel at the beauty of nonlinearities in nature - and to better understand them mathematically. As a theoretical physicist based in Rome, Tommaso works on formulas and algorithms to better identify and characterize nonlinear processes. He explains why this is important, for example, to protect critical infrastructure or to determine the current stage of the pandemic. The second part of this episode is all about early-career networks. Tommaso shares his experience as Early Career Scientists Representative of the Nonlinear Processes in Geosciences (NP), a Division of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), and his idea on how to make research networks even more creative, diverse and vibrant. Find out more about Tommaso's activities and nonlinear processes in geosciences here: https://blogs.egu.eu/divisions/np/

Light-matter interaction plays a part in many areas of physics from macroscopic stars to the microscopic quantum world. This episode is devoted to the fascinating interactions that occur when a few particles of light (photons) couple to tiny fragments of matter (quantum dots). Martin Hayhurst Appel, PhD candidate in Copenhagen, explores how the strange light-matter interaction can be used to transport quantum information.  Will such photonic quantum devices help build better quantum  computers and robust quantum networks? And what does it mean when it  comes down to whether light is too early or too late? Though, sometimes light just hits the lens of Martin's camera. As a young scientist, he shares with us what it means to him to get creative and put work aside while making music and taking pictures. He talks with Beatrice Ellerhoff about his passion for statistics and why collaborations and occasional coffee breaks remain invaluable to him. Find out more about Martin's work here: https://hy-q.nbi.ku.dk/

Here comes the second part of our quantum simulation special: Helene Hainzer (IQOQI Innsbruck) shares with us how to plan and set up a new quantum experiment, what two-dimensional crystals are, and how to use them to perform an analog quantum simulation. We talk about the prospects of quantum simulation and the curiosity-driven side of fundamental sciences, the coolest moment in life, and artistic passions. Find out more about Leni's work here: https://quantumoptics.at/en/ and https://twitter.com/Iqoqi

Some of the most exotic materials found in the last decades still defy an explanation for their unusual properties, including high-temperature superconductors, materials which can conduct electricity without loss and the need to cool to close to absolute zero. In this episode, Fabian Grusdt explains how he tries to find an explanation for these counter-intuitive properties using analogue quantum computers, a type of quantum computer adapted to solving hard problems in material science not solvable by usual supercomputers. Fabian is a theorist developing new protocols to better use the capabilities of these impressive new tools as well as intuitive models to understand the results obtained by them. Fabian just started his own research group being just thirty years old. In the second part of the episode, he explains how he is approaching this new task and gives advice to young researchers starting their own career.

How can we use the laws of quantum physics to build more precise measurement devices? Apart from this question, Asier Piñeiro Orioli and Alexander Schuckert, also discuss about their experiences as young researchers in quantum science, how taking risks is elementary to progress and why it is crucial to work with friends rather than colleagues. The topics discussed include: 0:00 - Introduction and background. 7:17 - The (quantum) science of measuring things precisely. 13:53 - How to create entanglement. 17:04 - Why better precision is interesting. 21:44 - Asier's research: multilevel "qubits". 26:59 - Quantum technologies: engineering or fundamental research? 31:18 - Unspoken problems with fundamental research: Resources, career and self-sustaining mechanisms. 40:05 - Risk taking incentives and disincentives. 48:55 - From side-by-side collaboration to lone wolves: Trust, Sharing and Fun.