Friday, November 14, 2014

Quantum Computers for Chemistry

Quantum Computers for Chemistry

The Chemistry Department hosted Dr. Kenneth Brown to speak about his current work in the field of quantum chemistry. Dr. Brown grew up outside of Seattle, attended the University of the Pacific for undergrad. He did graduate work at UC Berkeley and MIT before becoming part of the research faculty at Georgia Tech, where he currently works.

His presentation, titled “Ion Trap Quantum Computers for Chemistry” was a general overview of the work he does. Dr. Brown began by discussing the basics of quantum mechanics and how the recent advances in quantum computing has allowed for the invention of high tech quantum computers. These advanced computers can break the code of cryptology equations. Dr. Brown spends some of his time working on ways to improve the reliability of these devices. Dr. Brown works with ion traps to study various quantum properties of different ions. Some types of traps he works with include surface electrode traps and mirror traps. Dr. Brown also touched on the importance of atomic clocks to current phenomena such as GPS, and how these clocks would not function without quantum mechanics. Lastly, Dr Brown discussed his recent accomplishment of creating the coldest molecular ion. This feat in ground state cooling was obviously important to him and to the quantum chemistry community.


To learn more about Dr. Brown’s lab at Georgia Tech, his research assistants, and more about his work, feel free to check out his webpage at ww2.chemistry.gatech.edu/brownlab 

1 comment:

  1. Had a lot of the same point, glad that he mad it interesting to clearly understand and get a good basis off of it. Glad you have his website - gives a great incite to his work.

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