Simulating the dynamics of many body quantum systems with Graphical Processor Units (GPUs)

About the Project

For more than a century, statistical physics has proved a powerful framework for understanding the behavior of systems made of a large number of particles. Recent progress in quantum technologies have now started challenging this framework by displaying new and unpredicted equilibrium states of matter for instance with cold atoms or trapped ions. Building a theory for understanding these new macroscopic quantum states is currently a crucial question of interest both fundamentally regarding the foundations of statistical physics and also on the practical side for the applications in quantum engineering.

In this project, the student will investigate the dynamics of strongly interacting quantum systems in order to explain the recent experimental results. They will learn how to use recently developed mathematical tools useful for analytical calculations and will do High Performance Computing using Graphical Processor Units to simulate numerically the quantum dynamics of many body systems.

There are no prerequisites for this project other than the usual undergraduate quantum theory and statistical physics training and a good taste for programming (e.g. in C or Python).

For any telephone enquires please contact Dr Gregoire Ithier on +44 (0)1784443459

Applicants should email Dr Ithier and submit their application using our Applicant Portal.

Find out more about Research degree (PhD) opportunities at Royal Holloway, University of London.