Events Calendar

EE Seminar

Speaker: Dr. Sophie Schirmer, Senior Lecturer a t Swansea University

Talk Title: Controlling quantum dynamics: from physical principles to quantum engineering?

Abstract: Since its discovery a century ago, quantum theory has proved hugely important in explaining many scientific phenomena and enabling new technologies from lasers to superconductors. The new frontier for quantum science and engineering is probing and coherently manipulating quantum dynamics. Systematic control of quantum dynamics is crucial for the development of novel quantum devices and applications in many areas from quantum information processing to quantum metrology and beyond. The latter goal has proved to be considerably more challenging but – as the 2012 Nobel prize in physics for example shows – much progress has been made in this area, opening the door for the development of new tools for control of quantum dynamics and quantum device design.

In the talk I will attempt to explain in basic terms what we mean by control of quantum systems and why control of quantum dynamics is important. I will give various examples and applications in physics, chemistry and biology, and explain different paradigms for quantum control and some of the theoretical tools developed for control design. The ideas and operation will be illustrated using simulations of quantum gates, information flow in quantum networks and molecular cooling.


Biography: Sophie Schirmer is a Senior Lecturer a t Swansea University. She recently completed a five-year term as an Advanced Research Fellow of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and has held positions at the University of Cambridge, Kuopio University in Finland, the Open University, and the University of Oregon, in various capacities including as Marie Curie Fellow, Research Fellow of the Cambridge-MIT Institute and Coordinator of the Quantum Technologies Group. Her research interests include nano-science at the quantum edge and quantum engineering, especially modeling, control and characterization of quantum systems and devices.

Host: Dr. Edmond Jonckheere

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Estela Lopez