Geometry of quantum state spaces
Organizer
Speaker
Ingemar Bengtsson
Time
Wednesday, November 23, 2022 5:15 PM - 6:30 PM
Venue
1120
Online
Zoom 518 868 7656
(BIMSA)
Abstract
Geometry of classical mechanics usually means symplectic geometry. In quantum mechanics this geometry is inseparably joined to the geometry of probability theory, creating a very rich structure. I will introduce this structure from scratch, assuming that the audience has not spent any thought on the geometry of finite dimensional quantum mechanics. But I will be gently leading up to a point of view from where you can see some unsolved problems that I am working on.
Speaker Intro
"My name is Ingemar Bengtsson, and I have been a lecturer at Fysikum in Stockholm since '93 (and a professor since '00). My previous 'career' was at Chalmers, CERN and Imperial College.
The research areas that I like the best usually have something to do with geometry. General relativity is a favourite. Most of my work there is on black holes. My strongest prejudice is that the world has four dimensions; this is the direction in which I look for clues about quantum gravity. Then I work on quantum information theory, since the geometry of the space of quantum states is wonderful and rather mysterious. What I find fascinating about relativity and quantum mechanics---as it happens, the two deepest theories we have---is that their basic equations have been around for a century, and yet they keep springing conceptual surprises on us. I am looking for the next surprise there, but I do keep a weather eye open on other subjects as well."