EQUS Seminar Series: Carolyn Wood
EQUS Seminar Series: Carolyn Wood
 | Date: Tuesday 18th March 2025 Time: 10:00am – 11:00pm AWST, 12:00pm -1:00pm AEST, 1:00pm-2:00pm AEDT Location: Online only. Please see your emails for more informaiton. Title: Uncertainty at the quantum and gravity interface |
Abstract The overlap of quantum theory with gravity and relativity is a rich field in which to search for answers to some of the biggest questions in physics today: namely how we transition from the quantum realm to the classical, and whether quantum physics and general relativity can ever be united into some grand theory of ‘quantum gravity.’ In this seminar I will first introduce some key aspects of our two pillar theories of 20th century physics, and show how they have informed my own work, and that of others using composite particles (e.g. atoms and molecules) to probe the quantum-and-gravity interface. I will discuss how Einstein’s mass—energy equivalence introduces new effects with consequences for our approaches to the uncertainty principle, and our modelling of idealised atoms interacting with their surroundings. I then discuss how thermodynamics may play a role in resolving (or complicating) the open questions above. [1] C.E. Wood & M. Zych (2021), Physical Review Research, 3, 013049 Bio Carolyn is an EQUS Deborah Jin Fellow, based at the University of Queensland (UQ), where she works with CI Sally Shrapnel on topics in quantum machine learning and foundational physics. Prior to this, she completed her PhD at UQ with former EQUS CI Dr Magdalena Zych on probes of the quantum-and-gravity interface. |
Major funding support
The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.