Quantum Simulators for Fundamental Physics

Sept. 18, 2024

Sam Patrick Awarded Stephen Hawking Fellowship

We are thrilled to announce that QSimFP postdoc Sam Patrick has been awarded the prestigious Stephen Hawking Fellowship. This highly competitive fellowship supports innovative research in theoretical physics and closely related fields, reflecting Stephen Hawking's ground-breaking contributions to science and role as a science populariser. <br> <br> During the fellowship, Sam will focus on advancing the modelling of wave-vortex interactions in liquid helium, building on recent experimental breakthroughs by the Nottingham and Royal Holloway groups in QSimFP. In addition to research, the fellowship emphasizes public engagement, and Sam will collaborate with the UK National Quantum Technology Programme to create a series of videos showcasing some of the most exciting advancements in quantum technology. These videos will be featured in our Art-Science exhibition next year. Follow Sam's journey on Instagram @<a href = "https://www.instagram.com/realtimesci/?igsh=cXM4M3g3MnFidmJx">realtimesci</a> to stay updated.

Jan. 5, 2024

Are we in the multiverse?

Prof. Hiranya Peiris participated in a German/French TV show called “42” about the multiverse, which included a discussion of using analogue experiments to probe the predictions of the eternal inflation multiverse. The episode featured simulations of analogue false vacuum decay created by postdoc Alex Jenkins within the QSimFP team. <br> Youtube links: <br> <a href= 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTc0s6sNDlM'>German version </a>, <a href= 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6shp_-HKp4'>French version </a>

Jan. 4, 2024

New calculations show how experiments will recreate early-universe quantum effects

Congratulations to CPI postdoctoral researcher Alex Jenkins for his paper on “Analog vacuum decay from vacuum initial conditions”, selected as an editor’s highlight by Physical Review D. The work is part of an interdisciplinary effort to study profound questions about the Universe’s origins by simulating them in tabletop experiments, using ultra-cold atoms to mimic quantum aspects of the opening moments of our cosmos. Using theoretical calculations and numerical simulations, Jenkins and his co-authors delved into how this can be accomplished. They showed that these experiments can indeed replicate quantum processes in the early Universe, using experimental conditions that are within the reach of current technologies. <br> <br> Commenting on the results, lead author Dr Alex Jenkins said “Quantum analogues are fast emerging as a vital tool for understanding the Universe. It’s been really exciting to play a part in this developing area, and to forge new connections with our experimental colleagues.” Co-author and Cosmoparticle Initiative director Prof Andrew Pontzen added, “this work grew out of Cosmoparticle Initiative collaborations, and it’s truly exciting to see it mature and receive recognition. None of us can wait to see the first results from the lab experiment now being built at Cambridge University”. <br> <br> The work was performed as part of the Quantum Simulators for Fundamental Physics (<a href = 'https://qsimfp.org/'>QSimFP</a>) consortium, with authors from UCL, University of Cambridge, Nottingham University, the University of Toronto and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. QSimFP is funded by UKRI’s <a href = 'https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/browse-our-areas-of-investment-and-support/quantum-technologies-for-fundamental-physics/'>Quantum Technology for Fundamental Physics</a> programme. <br> <br> <a href = 'https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.109.023506'> Analog vacuum decay from vacuum initial conditions</a> <br> <br> <a href = 'https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/83826'>Alex Jenkins' profile</a>

Nov. 14, 2023

UK Quantum Fluids Network webinar

Dr Patrik Svancara gave a talk for the UK Quantum Fluids Network summarising the most recent results obtained in the Quantum black hole simulator facility at the University of Nottingham. We thank the organisers for the invitation and we are looking forward for future exciting talks that can be accessed from the <a href = "https://uk-quantum-fluids-network.github.io/webinars/">network website</a>. Watch the recording of Patrik's talk in the <a href = "https://qsimfp.org/yt_media/"> media section </a> or read the supporting paper on <a href = "https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.10773"> arXiv</a>.

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Quantum-to-Classical Vortex Flow: Quantum Field Theory Dynamics in Rotating Curved Spacetimes


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Generalized cold-atom simulators for vacuum decay (Sept. 24, 2024) Alexander C. Jenkins, Ian G. Moss, Thomas P. Billam, Zoran Hadzibabic, Hiranya V. Peiris, and Andrew Pontzen
More excitement across the horizon (July 9, 2024) María R. Preciado-Rivas, Manar Naeem, Robert B. Mann, and Jorma Louko
Third sound detectors in accelerated motion (June 20, 2024) Cameron Bunney, Vitor S Barroso, Steffen Biermann, August Geelmuyden, Cisco Gooding, Grégoire Ithier, Xavier Rojas, Jorma Louko and Silke Weinfurtner
Rotating curved spacetime signatures from a giant quantum vortex (March 20, 2024) Patrik Švančara, Pietro Smaniotto, Leonardo Solidoro, James F. MacDonald, Sam Patrick, Ruth Gregory, Carlo F. Barenghi, Silke Weinfurtner

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