One of the more interesting facts coming out of the Sciencewatch survey of quantum computing citations was that Nature has published 169 journal articles on quantum computing while Science has published 84 such articles (or at least these are the numbers reported in the survey and it is not clear that the survey is in any sense “complete.”) When I first saw this I thought it was probably just a fact that Science doesn’t like quantum computing as much as Nature. But a conversation at the APS march meeting with a science journalist made me question this.
Round We Go
Lest you think I’m not working:
March Meeting Quantum Computing Schedule
The APS March meeting is next week as 10000 physicists invade Portland, Oregon. I hope Powell’s bookstore has stocked their science sections well! GQI, the topical group on quantum information, sponsors a good number of sessions at the meeting including sessions with invited talks, focus sessions, and general sessions. Below the fold I’m assembling a list of quantum computing sessions, but before the fold I’d like to point out the invited sessions, which have longer speaking slots where one can actually learn more than the speakers name and research project title, that are sponsored or cosponsored by GQI (also below note the Focus sessions listed below have invited speakers)
- Monday, March 15 8:00am-11:00am Session A8: Quantum Opto-Mechanics
Room: Portland Ballroom 255
(Jointly sponsored with DAMOP)
Invited speakers: Jack Harris, Klemens Hammerer, Philipp Treutlein, Nathaniel Brahms, Keith Schwab - Monday, March 15 11:15am-2:15pm Session B6: Controlling Dissipation in Quantum Systems
Room: Portland Ballroom 253
(Jointly sponsored with DAMOP)
Invited Speakers: Frank Verstraete, Hans Peter Buechler, Matthias Lettner, Luis A. Orozco, Sergio Boixo - Monday, March 15 2:30pm-5:30pm Session D4: Quantum Computer Science
Room: Oregon Ballroom 204 Invited Speakers: Graeme Smith, Aram Harrow, Ben Reichardt, Sandy Irani, Stephanie Wehner - Thursday, March 18 11:15am-1:40pm Session W6: Superconducting Qubits
Room: Portland Ballroom 253
Invited Speakers: Radoslaw Bialczak, Franco Nori, Leonardo DiCarlo, Sahel Ashhab
Posthumous ArXiv Posting
Hm, today we seem to have a posting from beyond the grave, arXiv:1003.2133:
Proof of the Ergodic Theorem and the H-Theorem in Quantum Mechanics
Authors: John von Neumann
Abstract: It is shown how to resolve the apparent contradiction between the macroscopic approach of phase space and the validity of the uncertainty relations. The main notions of statistical mechanics are re-interpreted in a quantum-mechanical way, the ergodic theorem and the H-theorem are formulated and proven (without “assumptions of disorder”), followed by a discussion of the physical meaning of the mathematical conditions characterizing their domain of validity.
Quantum Computing Postdoc at LPS
A theoretical condensed matter postdoc of interest to the quantum computing folks:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Theoretical Condensed Matter and Quantum Information Science at the Laboratory for Physical Sciences, University of Maryland.
Applications are being accepted for physics postdoctoral research positions in quantum information and device theory at the Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) at the University of Maryland-College Park. Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following categories is desired: semiconductor/condensed-matter physics, solid-state quantum computing (e.g. spins in semiconductors or diamond, superconductors, etc.), quantum information science, many-body condensed matter physics, simulation of quantum systems, computational physics, quantum error correction/prevention, quantum optics, and related subjects.
Positions are available immediately in the groups of Drs. Frank Gaitan, Ari Mizel, and Charles Tahan. Interested candidates are invited to seek more information or submit an electronic application addressed to Charles Tahan at ctahan [thisisanatsybol] lps.umd.edu. Applications should include a CV, a summary of research interests, publications list, and the electronic (email) contact details of two references.
The University of Maryland is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women and members of minority groups.
QUANTUM COMPUTING AT LPS
The quantum computing group at LPS consists of both experimentalists and theorists focused on various aspects of solid-state quantum computers, condensed matter theory, and quantum information science. Opportunities to collaborate with researchers at the University of Maryland Physics Department, the Joint Quantum Institute, nearby NIST and NRL are ample.
ABOUT THE LABORATORY FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Located adjacent to the University of Maryland’s College Park Campus, the Laboratory for Physical Sciences is a unique facility where university and federal government personnel collaborate on research in advanced communication and computer technologies. The Lab for Physical Sciences is also a member of the Joint Quantum Institute together with NIST and UMD.
Ask a Nobel Laureate
Ever wanted to ask a Nobel Laureate in physics a question? Well here’s your chance: check out this youtube page where you can upload your own questions to Albert Fert, 2007 Nobel prize winner for Giant Magnetoresistance.
What You Can Do With An Undergrad Degree in Physics: Win a Turing Award
Chuck Thacker is the 2009 Turing Award Winner. Microsoft has a very nice article about his career. For the physicists out there, note that he has a B.S. in physics from Berkeley (1967)…he was trying to support his grad studies when he took his first job with computers and was “hooked.”
Must Resist Joke Blog Post Title
Quantum Dating Market
Authors: O.G. Zabaleta, C.M. Arizmendi
Abstract: We consider the dating market decision problem under the quantum mechanics point of view. Quantum states whose associated amplitudes are modified by men strategies are used to represent women. Grover quantum search algorithm is used as a playing strategy. Success is more frequently obtained by playing quantum than playing classic.
Painful Toy
It’s like Jackass for people who can wire stuff together (via @JoeAndrieu):
Happy Friday!
OneBusAway
Congrats to OneBusAway, winners of the 2010 WTIA Industry Achievement Award for “best use of technology in the government, nonprofit or education sector”. OneBusAway was started by University of Washington students and provides real time access to transit information here in the Seattle area. I know it best through it’s iPhone app, which is by far my most regularly used app (sure I probably use email more, but the iPhone app I use every weekday nearly without exception.) Yeah, yeah I know you fancy European cities will scoff at our backward nature, but I will tell you that the iPhone app is great: it tells you whether your bus is early or late and…best of all I can use it to walk an extra block and catch a bus at a prior stop…thus allowing me some exercise as well as the chance to get a better seat on the bus (What’s up King County Metro bus drivers with your heavy feet? :)) If you’re a Seattlite who uses public transport, I highly recommend OneBusAway (there are also Android and phone apps.)