PhD Comprehensive Seminar | Adam Teixido-Bonfill, Connecting Quantum Fields to Thermodynamics and Experiments

MC 5479

Candidate

Adam Teixido-Bonfill| Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo

Title

Connecting Quantum Fields to Thermodynamics and Experiments

Abstract

On the one hand, quantum field theory combines relativity and quantum physics to accurately describe the building blocks of our Universe. On the other hand, the laws of thermodynamics seem to rule everything, from steam engines to black holes. However, even the most basic concepts of thermodynamics, such as internal energy, work, and heat, quickly become problematic in quantum theory. Defining these concepts becomes an open problem with multiple incompatible answers. We intend to provide meaningful definitions of thermodynamic quantities for quantum fields using tools from Quantum Thermodynamics and Relativistic Quantum Information (RQI). Afterwards, we want to use these quantities to explore the emergence of the laws of thermodynamics for quantum fields, and then study phenomena related to thermodynamics such as Hawking radiation and the Unruh effect. We also have the objective to connect RQI predictions to experiments. According to RQI, entanglement can be harvested from space-like regions of quantum fields, but this has not been realized in a lab. Performing this experiment requires a tuneable device that couples to a quantum field. Such device has been recently developed by the superconducting quantum devices group led by Adrian Lupascu at the Institute for Quantum Computing. Collaborating with them, we want to help to develop a platform for RQI experiments and realize entanglement harvesting in the lab.