In this FAU LMQ People Spotlight, we interviewed our member Daniel Burgarth, who is chair holder of the Chair for Theoretical Physics at FAU since 2023.
What is your research topic?
I am working at the intersection of Quantum Technology, Quantum Control and Mathematical Physics. I develop methods such as dynamical decoupling and optimal control to reduce the impact of noise on quantum devices. To understand their performance, I am developing theoretical tools, since large scale high quality devices are not available yet.
How is your research linked to the research foci of the FAU LMQ?
The interaction between light and matter is a key requirement for quantum technologies. On the one hand, time-shaping of electromagnetic pulses is the key tool of quantum control. On the other, the light degree of freedom are themselves valuable for scaling up quantum computers and for novel error correction techniques. At the center of these aspects sits the rotating wave approximation (RWA) defining resonance, and for which I have developed a new set of mathematical methods over the last few years.
Why exactly this topic/these topics?
I am not a strategic person. I follow my curiosity, taking essentially a random walk through physics. At the end, it just happened that I had some skills and interest in this area. Nonetheless, I am very happy to be here: quantum technology is of fundamental interest, with all the beauty of quantum mechanics, yet has potential to revolutionize technology and benefit humankind.
Who in the Profile Center do you hope to collaborate with in the future?
There are many interesting researchers in the Profile Center, so it would feel unfair to name-drop specific people here. Of course, the other theoretical physicists are closest to my own research, and I am already collaborating with some of them. But I am also interacting with the experimentalists and hoping to enhance these collaborations. I also have an exciting outreach project with the didactics team.
When I am not working as a scientist, then …
I’m out in nature reserves with my family.
Do you have a secret talent?
If I had, would I reveal it?
What does a typical day in your working life look like?
I am still supervising students in Australia, where I worked before joining FAU in 2024. Due to the difference in time-zone, my day starts early and virtually. Then I start meeting my FAU team, often just spending time in front of the blackboard doing joint calculations. I feel very lucky to have so many smart young people in my group! Preparing and giving lectures and research talks also takes up a lot of time but is also extremely rewarding. Taking a nap mid-day allows me to reset my brain and often stimulates the most creative part of my day.
Where do you see the FAU LMQ in 5 or 10 years?
As I said above, I am not a strategic person. But it would be nice to have a meeting room for the center where we can come together, have good coffee and discuss together informally on the board, which is my favorite activity.
In this FAU LMQ People Spotlight, we interviewed our member Daniel Burgarth, who is chair holder of the Chair for Theoretical Physics at FAU since 2023.
What is your research topic?
I am working at the intersection of Quantum Technology, Quantum Control and Mathematical Physics. I develop methods such as dynamical decoupling and optimal control to reduce the impact of noise on quantum devices. To understand their performance, I am developing theoretical tools, since large scale high quality devices are not available yet.
How is your research linked to the research foci of the FAU LMQ?
The interaction between light and matter is a key requirement for quantum technologies. On the one hand, time-shaping of electromagnetic pulses is the key tool of quantum control. On the other, the light degree of freedom are themselves valuable for scaling up quantum computers and for novel error correction techniques. At the center of these aspects sits the rotating wave approximation (RWA) defining resonance, and for which I have developed a new set of mathematical methods over the last few years.
Why exactly this topic/these topics?
I am not a strategic person. I follow my curiosity, taking essentially a random walk through physics. At the end, it just happened that I had some skills and interest in this area. Nonetheless, I am very happy to be here: quantum technology is of fundamental interest, with all the beauty of quantum mechanics, yet has potential to revolutionize technology and benefit humankind.
Who in the Profile Center do you hope to collaborate with in the future?
There are many interesting researchers in the Profile Center, so it would feel unfair to name-drop specific people here. Of course, the other theoretical physicists are closest to my own research, and I am already collaborating with some of them. But I am also interacting with the experimentalists and hoping to enhance these collaborations. I also have an exciting outreach project with the didactics team.
When I am not working as a scientist, then …
I’m out in nature reserves with my family.
Do you have a secret talent?
If I had, would I reveal it?
What does a typical day in your working life look like?
I am still supervising students in Australia, where I worked before joining FAU in 2024. Due to the difference in time-zone, my day starts early and virtually. Then I start meeting my FAU team, often just spending time in front of the blackboard doing joint calculations. I feel very lucky to have so many smart young people in my group! Preparing and giving lectures and research talks also takes up a lot of time but is also extremely rewarding. Taking a nap mid-day allows me to reset my brain and often stimulates the most creative part of my day.
Where do you see the FAU LMQ in 5 or 10 years?
As I said above, I am not a strategic person. But it would be nice to have a meeting room for the center where we can come together, have good coffee and discuss together informally on the board, which is my favorite activity.