Quantum Entangled Beasts

19:00 - 20:00 - Speaker: Séamus Davis (Oxford)

The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology is 2025, recognising the centenary of our most fundamental and successful theory of physics. Moreover, quantum technology, e.g., quantum computing, is now emerging with the promise of revolutionary changes to our society and economy. Yet, in many ways, quantum physics feels like a set of eerie and counterintuitive ideas of no direct relevance to our lives. Why is this? One reason is that we cannot perceive the strangeness (and astonishing beauty) of the quantum phenomena all around us by using our own senses.

In this conversation, we will survey the key concepts of quantum physics, focusing on quantum entanglement, a deeply mysterious yet highly productive resource of quantum physics. Then, we will explore and dismiss the ‘fake news’ concept that quantum physics only occurs at the atomic scale and never in the macroscopic world all around us. On that basis, we will consider and demonstrate how to create instruments that allow humans to perceive and quantify macroscopic quantum entanglement in human-scale objects and devices. Finally, we will listen to the acoustic signature of macroscopic quantum entanglement, emerging from objects you can hold in the palm of your hand.

This public lecture is organised by the Hubbard Theory Consortium, a grouping of Condensed Matter Theory Groups at the University of Kent and Royal Holloway University of London, Imperial College London and University College London. This is the public-facing event of the annual conference “Condensed Matter Physics in the City 2025” (https://research.kent.ac.uk/pqm/cmpcity2025/), in which experts in quantum theory of materials will discuss their research in the heart of the city of London. The event is open to everyone, regardless of background or experience.

Prof. Séamus Davis

Prof. Séamus Davis’ work in high-sensitivity quantum tunnelling spectroscopy on strongly correlated quantum materials was recognised by many prizes, including the O.V. Lounasmaa Memorial Prize (2020) and the O.E. Buckley Memorial Prize (2023). He is a fellow of the Fellow of the Royal Irish Academy, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he currently holds a Royal Society Research Professorship at the University of Oxford. Further information can be found on his group website (http://davis-group-quantum-matter-research.ie/)

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