When mentioned in passing, quantum theory can seem mystifying, with talk of uncertainty, being in two places at once, and teleportation. However, it is a theory that arose from a need to explain important physical phenomena, such as the structure and behaviour of atoms, and is now used in nearly every area of physics.
Quantum theory is essential to understand the interaction of light with matter, semiconductors, superconductors, all of chemistry, lasers and more. Quantum physics also points towards exciting technological developments, many realized in the lab, such as quantum computing, teleportation, simulation, and cryptography.
This course aims to demystify this most enigmatic area of physics, and to convey the consistency, accuracy, and usefulness of quantum theory. There will be discussions on what has been achieved in the field and resulting technological innovations.
The following topics will be covered:
- The historical development of quantum theory.
- The structure, language and philosophy of the theory.
- The application of quantum theory to fundamental areas of physics.
- The use of quantum physics in solids, and exotic systems such as cold atomic gases and superconductors.
- Quantum information theory, teleportation and entanglement, and the idea of quantum simulation.
- Extending quantum physics from the microscopic world to the macroscopic world around us.
- Participants will need only a passing knowledge of mathematics to A-Level standard.
The course costs £400 (£340 Ri Members and Patrons) for six sessions, including all course materials and refreshments.
Participants will need only a passing knowledge of mathematics to A-Level standard. The course is for interest only, with no qualification, examination, or certificate of attendance at its conclusion. It is recommended for adults and young people aged 16 and over. Please note this will be the same content as the An Introduction to Quantum Theory (Short Course) delivered in October 2023.
The course will run for six, 90-minute sessions, every Monday on:
• Mon 7 Oct
• Mon 14 Oct
• Mon 21 Oct
• Mon 28 Oct
• Mon 4 Nov*
• Mon 11 Nov
*Date and time subject to change. We will aim to give as much notice as possible.
About James Millen
James Millen is a Lecturer in Advanced Photonics at King’s College London. From 2015 – 2018 he was a Marie Curie Research Fellow in the Quantum Nanophysics Group at the University of Vienna, working on the manipulation and cooling of nanoscale objects, with the goal of controlling them on the quantum level. In 2017 he was awarded the Institute of Physics’ Bates’ Prize, for his contributions to optomechanics. He is an editor at the Journal of Physics Communications, an Institute of Physics journal dedicated to the rapid dissemination of research based on quality, not impact.
