Quantum Thermodynamics for Young Scientists

713. WE-Heraeus-Seminar

02 Feb - 06 Feb 2020

Where:

Physikzentrum Bad Honnef

Scientific organizers:

Dr. Marti Perarnau‐Llobet, MPI für Quantenoptik, Garching • Dr. Philipp Strasberg, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Quantum thermodynamics is an emergent research field, which combines ideas from statistical mechanics, open quantum system theory, quantum information and mesoscopic physics. Its goals are as diverse as the different fields involved, ranging from the desire to understand the emergence of the laws of thermodynamics from a microscopic picture to the need of designing useful quantum heat engines in a new era of increased nanotechnological abilities. While many different approaches have been put forward in the last years to understand thermodynamics in the quantum regime, a remaining future challenge is to bridge the gaps between different communities and to create a common understanding of the phenomena involved. The goal of this workshop is twofold:

  • On the one hand, it is crucial to permit young researchers to benefit from conferences in order to get acquainted with different visions of the field, as well as to communicate their own research. Therefore, this workshop will especially give early career researchers in quantum thermodynamics and related fields the opportunity to present their research, exchange ideas, and get exposed to different topics. With this step we will keep the field open for new ideas.
  • On the other hand, it is also important to connect the different fields and approaches involved. Therefore, the workshop will rest on four tutorial lectures given by recognised young researchers about ‘equilibration in closed many-body systems’ (Markus Müller), ‘open quantum systems’ (Javier Cerillo), ‘quantum information theory and thermodynamics’ (Nicole Yunger Halpern), and ‘quantum transport and mesoscopic physics’ (Geraldine Haack).

Furthermore, while the curiosity driving research remains essentially the same throughout all generations of physicists, the scientific environment in which we carry out our research has drastically changed in the last decades. Since the young generation will be the one which shapes the future of science, we will have a special non-physics talk by Ben Martin on the present and future of our universities and academic research.


The conference language will be English. The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation bears the cost of full-board accommodation for all participants.