What inspired you to pursue a career in quantum physics?
To answer this question, I should mention two things. My hometown is not so far from the ancestral home of the great physicist Satyendranath Bose, where he was born and raised. From my childhood days, I heard several stories of him, and from a rural and undeveloped area of India, how he managed to learn physics and ultimately impressed Sir Albert Einstein amazed me a lot. Hence, I have always dreamed of becoming a physicist like Bose and pursuing a career in similar fields. I have had an affection for physics and math, both from my school days. My favorite playing tools were a prism and a small laser torch. I think that is the reason why I got interested in optics. During my undergraduate studies, I was introduced to the famous Feynman Lectures on Physics, particularly the sections on quantum mechanics, where I learned how microscopic particles exhibit diffraction patterns similar to light, which completely captivated me. That book was the starting point of my love for quantum physics. After completing the first three chapters, I was determined to do research in quantum physics.
Why did you choose to conduct your research in Berlin?
I think every Indian student who wants to be a physicist, especially in the field of quantum physics, wants to pursue their career in Germany because of its vibrant and world-renowned research environment. In my doctoral studies, I closely followed the work of Prof. Dr. André Eckardt, particularly his research on the non-equilibrium dynamics of dissipative systems, and I also have a significant overlap of the research interests with his ongoing topics of research. Hence, I have planned to apply for a postdoctoral research position under his supervision after finishing my PhD.
What advantages does Berlin offer for quantum physics research compared to other cities or countries?
I find that in Berlin, doing research is really advantageous for a better research-friendly environment. There are three big universities, e.g., TU Berlin, HU Berlin, and FU Berlin, which have strong physics departments, which means the researcher gets huge exposure to the topics. On the other hand, the initiative from BERLIN QUANTUM is truly amazing for engaging in active collaboration on quantum science initiatives, creating a highly interdisciplinary and stimulating environment. I think these are the advantages compared to other cities and countries.
Can you tell us about a current project or experiment you are working on?
With André, my first project involves developing and benchmarking the theoretical techniques to measure the (un)equal time correlations of cascaded quantum optical systems, which consist of a large number of non-interacting spin-half particles in a one-dimensional chiral waveguide. This setup was recently realized in the experiments conducted by the group of Prof. Dr. Arno Rauschenbeutel. And so far, we have progressed significantly in that direction.
How does BERLIN QUANTUM and the Berlin research landscape support your work, and which resources are particularly helpful?
BERLIN QUANTUM plays a pivotal role in my ongoing research work. There is a collaboration going on between us and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin as part of the initiatives from BERLIN QUANTUM. I am also thankful to the Institute for Physics and Astronomy (IFPA), Technische Universität Berlin, for providing me with the critical infrastructure, including a well-equipped office, a high-performance workstation, and efficient storage capacity for research data to carry on the research. I also found that the monthly BBQ events from BERLIN QUANTUM are beneficial. Such a scientific meeting at periodic intervals is truly effective for our research.
What role does collaboration with other scientists and institutions in Berlin play in your research?
I am now working on project no. P2. The main supervisor of this project is Prof. Dr. André Eckardt from TU Berlin. The theoretical part is also co-supervised by Dr. Francesco Petiziol, who is also from TU Berlin.
For the experimental part, we have collaborated with Prof. Dr. Arno Rauschenbeutel from HU Berlin. Additionally, Dr. Philipp Schneeweiß from HU Berlin is also involved in this research project for the experimental demonstration. I am also thankful to Dr. Felix Tebbenjohanns from HU Berlin for the initial discussions and sharing relevant codes for the previous works on this topic.
How does living in Berlin influence your personal and professional development?
I have found that the city “Berlin” has an open-minded mentality, a strong focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, affordable basic utilities, and a rich cultural diversity. Coming from India, I never feel alone in such an environment, which continually motivates me in my research. Additionally, the city has a vibrant academic and research ecosystem. Regular seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaborations also help me to stay focused and updated on my research. I am truly grateful to Berlin – it continues to shape me both personally and professionally.
In your opinion, what are the most exciting developments or trends in quantum physics that we can expect in the coming years?
However, I have only expertise in a small part of the entire quantum world. In my opinion, the most exciting developments would be:
- Topological qubits due to their vast implications in quantum computation and information processing.
- Advanced numerical techniques based on AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning (ML) for simulating the complicated many-body quantum systems that are otherwise intractable with traditional methods.
Do you have a special experience or anecdote from your time in Berlin that you would like to share with us?
There are so many special experiences in Berlin. I will mention the recent one below. Two weeks ago, I attended the Berliner Physikalischen Salon der Physikalischen Gesellschaft zu Berlin (PGzB). This event featured a series of public lectures focused on Max Planck and the quantum nature of the famous measurement problem. I was amazed by the diverse audience in attendance, which included bachelor's students, professors, physics enthusiasts, and everyday citizens of Berlin. I had the opportunity to interact with many of them and was truly overwhelmed by their passion for quantum physics. For me, this is what Berlin represents. Events like this seminar for general audiences increase my love for quantum physics.
What advice would you give to young scientists who aspire to a career in quantum physics and might consider coming to Berlin?
I think the young generations have a significant role to play in advancing the quantum initiative. In my opinion, if they want to pursue their career in quantum physics, just be focused, follow the basics, and develop a scientific understanding regarding the subject. Berlin is a great place to fulfill their dream, as it is home to several reputable institutions that offer Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Physics, as well as PhD and Postdoctoral opportunities in Quantum Physics. Therefore, I encourage them to stay informed and apply directly to the relevant professors, outlining their proposals and goals.