Prof. Dr. Martin B. Plenio
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Research Highlights
 | Quantum Information TheoryOne of the principal features distinguishing classical from quantum many-body systems is that quantum systems require exponentially many parameters in the system size to fully specify the state, compared to only linearly many for classical systems. Put to use constructively, this exponential complexity enables the construction of information processing devices fundamentally superior to any classical device. At the same time, however, this “curse of dimensionality" makes tasks such as the description of quantum systems and their dynamics or the verification that the quantum processing device functions as intended a daunting challenge. In our work we are addressing all of these challenges by providing the mathematical framework of entanglement theory, by bringing together concepts from classical signal processing with methods from quantum information to develop highly efficient quantum state and process tomography and by developing efficient methods for the simulation of quantum dynamics.more |
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 | Controlled Quantum Dynamics with Atoms, Ions and PhotonsQuantum science aims to prepare, control and read-out multi-component quantum systems with identifiable and addressable units. Achieving this goal is a prerequisite for a wide variety of applications ranging from sensing and simulation to communication and computing. We are considering ultra-cold trapped atoms, cold trapped ions and photons as well as more massive objects such as nano-mechanical oscillators at the border between the quantum and the classical world. We develop novel cooling schemes to reach the quantum limit more reliably and we are emulating a variety of physical phenomena in these systems that are extraordinarily hard to measure directly. This includes the dynamics of symmetry-breaking phase transitions and the Kibble-Zurek mechanism or Unruh radiation observed by an accelerated detector in the vacuum to name just two examples.more |
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 | Quantum Effects in BiologyEvolution has optimized biological processes over billions of years, but only during the last decade have we been able to probe manifestly quantum mechanical mechanisms in these systems to elucidate the underlying design principles. With the development of ever more sophisticated and sensitive spectroscopic techniques, scientists have been able to discover, explore, and control quantum behavior within increasingly complex systems. Recent pioneering experiments have provided direct evidence for quantum coherence in the excitation energy transport across photosynthetic complexes of bacteria, marine algae and higher plants. Subsequent theoretical work including our own group revealed novel quantum phenomena such as environment-assisted energy transport and the fundamental mechanisms underlying these phenomena. The full understanding of the structure and the dynamics of biological systems at this length scale (10 Angstrom) and timescale (sub-picosecond) can reveal novel quantum phenomena and concepts essential for their remarkable performance within typically hot, wet, disordered environments. Our emerging understanding and novel techniques will certainly impact our perspective on the future of biological science and engineering. More importantly, these explorations could lead to the development of biologically-inspired techniques for controlling excitation energy migration in disordered materials, incorporating environmental effects and quantum coherence, and could contribute towards designing novel excitonic devices for a new generation of solar-based energy technologies.more |