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People often says how weird quantum mechanics is: particles being in a superposition of two places, you can’t determine simultaneously the position and velocity of a particle etc. It does not matter if it looks weird: that’s they way nature is (cit. nobel prize physicist Richard P. Feynman). When you dig into quantum theory it is not strange at all: there are different rules in the game. But once you accept those rules then you realise that the motion of electrons, atoms and photons can be predicted with high accuracy. It is the best theory we have right now. And once you know the rules of the game, you start playing and you discover that you can use properties of quantum theory to process information in a different but more efficient way. I am interested in quantum computers made of single atoms that interact with each other and in the mean time calculating complicated mathematical operations. The goal is to build a quantum computer that can calculate faster than all existing computers.

Here is the link on my research group at Queen’s University: Quantum Technology Group

I am a theoretical physicist like Shedon Cooper in the Big Bang theory. Unlike Sheldon however I don’t study string theory but quantum theory. Since I am not an experimental physicist I don’t perform experiments. My job is to think new ways to build a quantum computer with atoms and photons. Once I have an idea I propose it to experimentalist. This is so cool, because something that is in your head can then be realised in the lab. And if you did your calculation correct, it works!

So my typical day starts with thinking about a problem, turning it upside-down and inside-out to find a solution. Then I read about other people’s work to get inspired and have a better idea. Then I think again at the problem and finally I do the calculation. Sometimes I try to use pen and paper, but when this is too hard I use the computer (my desktop PC, not a quantum computer!).