Researcher Aurelia Chenu from the Department of Physics and Materials Science (DPhyMS) at the University of Luxembourg has recently received a grant from the John Templeton Foundation in order to pursue her research activities in quantum physics and in this way advance the border of science.
Chaos in quantum physics
Since her arrival at the University of Luxembourg in January 2021, Dr. Aurelia Chenu has been investigating dynamical properties of quantum systems that interact with an environment and developing protocols for their control.
Chaotic quantum systems are paradigmatic quantum many-body systems that exhibit extreme dynamical features—sensitivity to initial conditions, growth of correlations, complexity, etc. Open quantum systems are representative of realistic physical systems, that interact with some environment.
“We aim to merge concepts from open quantum systems and quantum chaos to characterize dissipative quantum chaos”, explains Dr. Chenu.
Grant at the intersection of science and spirituality
The John Templeton Foundation (JFT) grant will fund a two-year postdoctoral researcher to work on chaotic quantum systems.
“This grant represents the beginning of a new chapter in my career, where I establish my own research group. Importantly, it is not just any foundation stone, but with this grant, I enter the family for JTF awardees, that have shaped knowledge at the border of science and spirituality. This is a great honour. The JTF vision is one of infinite scientific and spiritual progress, in which all people aspire to and attain a deeper understanding of the universe and their place in it. I am deeply aligned with this vision, and it is a great honour to have my ideas selected to advance the JTF mission”, comments Aurelia.
About John Templeton Foundation
The John Templeton Foundation serves as a philanthropic catalyst for discoveries relating to the deepest and most perplexing questions facing humankind. They support research on subjects ranging from complexity, evolution, and emergence to creativity, forgiveness, and free will. More information: https://www.templeton.org