07 November 2016
Danish research centre on threshold of quantum revolution
New times
Within a few decades, quantum physics will reshape society as we know it. This will include the quantum computer, among other things, now being developed by researchers worldwide. The Villum Foundation has provided 30 million kroner in funding for a new research center at the University of Copenhagen where quantum computer software is to be developed. Additionally, the Centre will generate knowledge about what quantum information consists of, how it behaves in space and time, and how in the future, it might be used to for teleportation, among other things. Researchers from around the world attended the Centre’s inauguration on 8 November.
The Villum Centre of Excellence for the Mathematics of Quantum Theory’ (QMATH) is based at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Mathematical Sciences and will focus on an interdisciplinary field where mathematics, computer science and physics combine.
According to Centre Director, Professor Jan Philip Solovej, one of the world's preeminent researchers in the field of mathematical physics and quantum information theory:
Centerledelsen udgøres af professor Jan Philip Solovej, professor Matthias Christandl og professor Bergfinnur Durhuus
“At the Centre, we have been able to assemble some of the world's leading researchers to enhance our understanding of what quantum information is – in part to gain greater insight into the world around us, from atoms to black holes, but also to contribute to the development of the quantum software and quantum communication that will make it possible to develop a quantum computer in the longer term. The applications for society are tremendous and include unbreakable encryption, totally secure communication, dizzyingly fast calculations and vastly improved search capabilities.”
Among his other positions, Professor Jan Philip Solovej has served as a professor at Princeton University for a number of years.
The field of QMATHs is cutting edge. This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to two Englishmen and a Scot for their discovery of exotic forms of quantum matter that can be used for a quantum computer:
“Describing the exotic phases of quantum matter requires highly advanced mathematical concepts. Some of the mathematical models highlighted by the Nobel Committee were developed by our closest international partners. At QMATH, this area forms a large part of our research efforts,” continues Professor Jan Philip Solovej.
The Centre was inaugurated on November 8, 2016 with presentations from leading researchers and 70 Danish and international participants. University of Copenhagen Prorector Thomas Bjørnholm and Villum Fonden Research Director Thomas Sinkjær was also be in attendance.
Contact
Centre Director Jan Philip Solovej
Mail: solovej@math.ku.dk
Mobile: +45 20986763.
Professor Matthias Christandl
Mail: christandl@math.ku.dk
Professor Bergfinnur Durhuus
Mail: durhuus@math.ku.dk
Centre administrator Suzanne Andersen
suzanne@math.ku.dk
Mobile: +45 24676866