Scientists Meet Scientists – TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk by Prof. Michael Knap “Shedding Light on the Building Blocks of Nature: Simulating Fundamental Physics with Quantum Computers”
Events, WCT |
On 25 June 2025, Prof. Michael Knap (Collective Quantum Dynamics, TUM School of Natural Sciences) will talk about “Shedding Light on the Building Blocks of Nature: Simulating Fundamental Physics with Quantum Computers”.
Abstract: Gauge theories, including the Standard Model of particle physics, are expected to describe the fundamental forces that govern the universe — from the way quarks combine to form protons and neutrons to the interactions of electric and magnetic fields. Gauge theories are not limited to high-energy physics but can also capture emergent phenomena in condensed matter physics and have seen applications in quantum information. These theories provide the mathematical framework for understanding how nature operates at the most fundamental level. However, solving gauge theories can be extremely difficult, often requiring enormous computational resources beyond what classical compute clusters can handle. In this talk, we will show how one can approach this problem using quantum computers. We will discuss how quantum computers can be used to study the dynamics of a specific type of gauge theory and analyze how particles and the invisible ‘strings’ that connect them evolve over time.
Date: June 25, 2025
Time: 13:00 CEST (until approx. 14:00)
Location: online
Registration: The TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee talks are held online via Zoom. To register and to receive the Zoom link, please send an email to events(at)ias.tum.de.
THE TUM-IAS WEDNESDAY COFFEE TALKS
Every Wednesday after lunch, it's all about a new topic - current research highlights at TUM, insights into the work of our Fellows from all over the world, sometimes even topics not usually found at TUM, such as history or theology.
The talks held online start every Wednesday during TUM lecture time at 13:00 CE(S)T. Everyone is welcome - TUM researchers of all levels, students, visiting scholars, and anyone interested!
Each final Wednesday of the month, a topic related to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals will be featured as a part of the Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability, a new initiative of the TUM-IAS in partnership with universities across Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe.
Would you like to receive regular updates on the TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk and the online link? Just send a short note to events(at)ias.tum.de.
An overview of upcoming and past TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talks can be found at the TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk Overview.