| Posted: November 13, 2009 |
Institutes join forces to tackle quantum issues |
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(Nanowerk News) University of Queensland's School of Mathematics and Physics has strengthened its bonds with Canada's Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI).
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UQ Physics has recently signed an agreement with the PI to strengthen collaborative research in quantum foundations.
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The new partnership called Perimeter Institute - Australia Foundations Collaboration (PIAF), unites PI with The University of Queensland along with The University of Sydney and Griffith University.
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"Since it is part of PI's mandate to pursue foundational research, this is a very welcome opportunity, and an eminently logical partnership,” Perimeter Institute Director Neil Turok said.
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"These are exciting times for quantum foundations, and by joining forces, we will nuture new scientific talent and give fresh impetus to the field," Dr Turok said.
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Professor Gerard Milburn, from UQ's School of Mathematics and Physics, Centre for Quantum Computing Technology, is current Chair of PI's Scientific Advisory Committee.
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"I have long been a supporter of quantum foundations research and I know the benefits of this style of thinking is for physics more broadly," Professor Milburn said.
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The program will create four new postdoctoral training positions, with research fellows spending part of their time in Australia and part of their time at PI.
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In addition, a scientific exchange program will facilitate a consistent flow of researchers between the partnering institutions for example UQ physicist, Professor Guifre Vidal, has been named by Canada's Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics as one of 10 new Distinguished Research Chairs.
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This will be reinforced by a series of workshops and annual conferences bringing together the best and the brightest in the field.
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Both Canada and Australia have emerged as hubs of scientific enquiry in quantum foundations and the closely related areas of quantum information and quantum computing.
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UQ's School of Mathematics and Physics is internationally renowned for its contribution to quantum physics theory and experimental research. It has provided the PI with many researchers and staff over the years, and is home to many of Australia's quantum physicists.
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Canada's Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is an independent, non-profit, scientific research and educational outreach organization where international scientists cluster to push the limits of our understanding of physical laws and develop new ideas about the very essence of space, time, matter and information.
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Located in Waterloo, Ontario, PI also provides a wide array of award-winning outreach resources and public lectures for students, teachers and the general public in order to share the joy of research, discovery and innovation.
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