Quantum Mechanics 2.0: from weird to wired
Klaus
Mølmer
Aarhus U., Denmark
Nearly
a century ago, quantum mechanics revolutionized physics and
provided the theoretical basis and
insights
that underlie modern technologies such as lasers, integrated
circuits, catalysts, nuclear power, and
medical
imaging. Quantum theory also came with a range of challenging
paradoxes and strange phenomena that, until
this
day, divide physicist in fractions that hold very different
beliefs about the physical interpretation of
the
theory and the true nature of the quantum world. We are
currently witnessing a "second quantum revolution",
in
which the most paradoxical quantum effects are being explored
for their potential applications. In the
seminar,
I shall review the ideas behind quantum cryptography, quantum
computing and quantum metrology; I shall
give
examples of the experimental implementations and the progress
achieved so far, and I shall discuss how
new
applications have led to new research questions and to new
connections between different branches of
physics.