Professor Andrew Daley

Personal statement

My research centers on the boundary between quantum optics, many-body physics, and experiments in both AMO physics and the solid state. In particular, much of our present research is focussed on implementations and applications of quantum computing and quantum simulation. We are developing both new architectures for highly controlled quantum systems, and protocols (including software and algorithms) to apply these to problems of interest also outside of many-body physics.

On the side of quantum simulation, over the course of the last 10 years, advances in experiments with ultracold quantum gases have made possible the realization of strongly interacting systems, which can be used to explore complex many-body phenomena. Motivated by and in connection with these experiments, we explore novel phenomena on a theoretical level with analytical and numerical techniques. In particular, we are interested in the non-equilibrium dynamics of quantum gases, treating both coherent many-body dynamics (e.g., transport dynamics, or the exploration of metastable many-body states and their associated quantum phases), and dissipative many-body dynamics (e.g., heating of quantum gases in optical potentials, or engineering dissipative driving to produce complex many-body states).

On the level of applications, we have ongoing collaborations with experimentalists implementing quantum computing, especially with neutral atoms and trapped ions. We are also working with colleagues in other disciplines and in industry in order to identify potential near to medium term applications beyond basic physics.