As part of the Saturday Physics Lecture Series, The Department of Physics Presents: 

"Quantum computing: what is it and how far along are we?"

Presented by: Daniel Slichter, NIST, Â鶹ӰԺ

2:30 p.m.

Abstract: Imagine if the act of looking at an object caused it to move – or imagine you had a pair of dice that always rolled doubles, but of different numbers each roll. These counterintuitive phenomena are commonplace in the realm of quantum mechanics, which describes systems that are generally very small, very cold, and/or very isolated from the rest of the world. Over the past 40 years, scientists have developed ideas for harnessing the strange features of quantum mechanics to build “quantum computers”, machines where information storage and computation is carried out by objects that behave quantum mechanically. A large-scale quantum computer would in principle be able to perform certain kinds of computations that would be impossible on even the largest classical (i.e. non-quantum) supercomputers. I will describe some of the basics of quantum mechanics and quantum computing, including why it is so technically challenging to build a “useful” large-scale quantum computer. I will also give some perspective on where things stand in the quest for quantum computers that will provide an advantage over existing computing technology.

The Saturday Physics Series consists of five to seven scheduled talks oriented toward adults and high school students. Lectures occur on specific Saturdays afternoons throughout the school year, typically in Duane G1B30. Unless otherwise noted, lectures begin at 2:30 p.m., and usually last about one hour. Material is aimed at the level of high school juniors and seniors. The series is free, open to the public, and no reservations are required. Simply show up and enjoy the show! 

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The Department of Physics proudly presents the Saturday Physics Series, lectures geared toward high school students and adults to highlight the exciting research and practical potential of physics. 

“From Discovery of the Electron to Gravitational Waves: Physics Experiments behind the Modern World”

By Professor Dmitry Reznik

Abstract: Materials are made of atoms, atoms are made of nuclei and electrons, and the speed of light is the universal speed limit. How did humanity learn that this is true? Largely from brilliantly simple physics experiments. Their full impact did not become clear until decades or even centuries later. 

I will demonstrate how experimental tricks used to discover electrons and atoms went far beyond their original purpose: They spawned TVs, the semiconductor industry, and particle accelerators. Experiments to understand gravity began in the 16th century when Galileo supposedly threw things off the leaning tower of Pisa. The second part of the talk will highlight twists and turns of this journey that led to relativity, the GPS, and the discovery of gravitational waves.

All lectures are free and open to the public and located in Duane Physical Laboratories, room G1B30. Cookies and lemonade will be available after the lecture and talkback.

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