How to become a quantum physicist in five minutes | Jacob Sherson | TEDxAarhus

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker recounts her journey from a childhood encounter with a four-leaf clover to becoming a quantum physicist. She introduces the concept of 'quantum' and its significance in understanding the building blocks of matter. The speaker shares her team's creation of a computer game, 'Quantum Moves,' which has enabled over 150,000 people to solve quantum research challenges, demonstrating the power of human intuition. The game allows players to manipulate atoms, harnessing quantum superposition and tunneling, leading to significant contributions to quantum computing research. The talk concludes with a call to embrace intuition and the potential of games in advancing scientific discovery.

Takeaways

• 🍀 The speaker's personal story starts with a magical moment of finding a four-leaf clover, setting a tone for the unexpected and the intuitive.
• 🧠 After 10 years of training, the speaker joined the field of quantum physics, indicating a deep commitment to understanding complex scientific concepts.
• 🕵️‍♀️ The speaker simplifies quantum physics by explaining it as the study of the smallest units of matter, using the relatable example of Lego blocks.
• 🎮 A computer game created by the speaker's team has been played by over 150,000 people, demonstrating that non-experts can solve quantum research challenges.
• 🌟 The game 'Quantum Moves' allows players to control a laser beam to move individual atoms, gamifying the complex process of quantum manipulation.
• 📚 The concept of 'quantum superposition' is introduced, where atoms can exist in multiple states or locations simultaneously, challenging classical physics.
• 🕳️ 'Quantum tunneling' is another quantum phenomenon where particles can pass through barriers, which is represented in the game as liquid flowing uphill.
• 🌐 The game has a global impact, with players from various backgrounds contributing to scientific advancements, highlighting the democratization of science.
• 💡 The speaker suggests that human intuition, honed through gameplay, can outperform supercomputers in solving certain quantum physics problems, emphasizing the power of human cognition.
• 🌱 The potential of quantum computers is discussed, with the speaker's research aiming to solve practical problems like efficient fertilizer production, showcasing the real-world applications of quantum physics.

Q & A

What significant event occurred when the speaker was 10 years old?

The speaker closed their eyes and picked up a four-leaf clover from a clover field, which they suggest was not by chance but a magical moment.

What is the speaker's profession after 10 years of training?

The speaker is a quantum physicist.

What is the main challenge the speaker faces in their work?

The main challenge is solving complex equations related to quantum physics, which can be as exhausting as running five marathons in a row.

What is the innovative solution the speaker's team created to make quantum physics more accessible?

The speaker's team created a computer game that has been played by over 150,000 people worldwide, demonstrating that normal people can solve quantum research challenges better than physicists and supercomputers.

What does the term 'quantum' mean in the context of physics?

In physics, 'quantum' refers to the smallest unit of something that can be counted, like individual building blocks of matter such as atoms.

How does the speaker illustrate the concept of atoms using a common object?

The speaker uses Lego blocks as an analogy for atoms, explaining that just like Lego blocks come in different colors and sizes, atoms also vary and are the building blocks of all matter.

What is the first quantum superpower mentioned in the script?

The first quantum superpower mentioned is quantum superposition, which is the ability of atoms to be in two different places at the same time.

What is quantum tunneling, as described in the script?

Quantum tunneling is a strange quantum effect that allows atoms to tunnel through barriers, likened to a person running through a wall and appearing on the other side unharmed.

How does the speaker relate the concept of quantum tunneling to the game they developed?

In the game, quantum tunneling is represented as the liquid flowing uphill, which is a strange effect that players can utilize to solve puzzles.

What is the potential application of quantum computers mentioned in the script?

Quantum computers have the potential to learn from bacteria how to produce fertilizer at room temperature, which could significantly reduce the world's energy consumption in this process.

How do the games contribute to the development of quantum computers according to the speaker?

Players have found ways to manipulate atoms faster than thought possible, which helps in the development of quantum computers by reducing the time quantum bits lose their information due to environmental influences.