Artificial intelligence (AI) is a potentially disruptive tool for physics and science in general. One crucial question is how this technology can contribute at a conceptual level to help acquire new scientific understanding or inspire new surprising ideas. I will talk about how AI can be used as an artificial muse in physics, which suggests surprising and unconventional ideas and techniques that the human scientist can interpret, understand and generalize to its fullest potential [1]. I will focus on AI for the design of new physics experiments, in the realm of quantum-optics [2, 3] and quantum-enhanced gravitational wave detectors [4] as well as super-resolution microscopy [5]. Finally I will discuss how algorithms with access to millions of scientific papers can predict and suggest future ideas for scientists [6,7].
[1] Krenn, Pollice, Guo, Aldeghi, Cervera-Lierta, Friederich, Gomes, Häse, Jinich, Nigam, Yao, Aspuru-Guzik, On scientific understanding with artificial intelligence. Nature Reviews Physics 4, 761 (2022).
[2] Krenn, Kottmann, Tischler, Aspuru-Guzik, Conceptual understanding through efficient automated design of quantum optical experiments. Physical Review X 11(3), 031044 (2021).
[3] Ruiz-Gonzalez, Arlt, et al., Digital Discovery of 100 diverse Quantum Experiments with PyTheus, Quantum 7, 1204 (2023).
[4] Krenn, Drori, Adhikari, Digital Discovery of interferometric Gravitational Wave Detectors, in press: Phys. Rev. X (2025), (https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.04258)
[5] Rodríguez, Arlt, Möckl, Krenn, Automated discovery of experimental designs in super-resolution microscopy with XLuminA, Nature Comm. 15, 10658 (2024)
[6] Krenn et al., Forecasting the future of artificial intelligence with machine learning-based link prediction in an exponentially growing knowledge network, Nature Machine Intelligence 5, 1326 (2023)
[7] Gu, Krenn, Interesting Scientific Idea Generation Using Knowledge Graphs and LLMs: Evaluations with 100 Research Group Leaders. arXiv:2405.17044 (2024).
Zapraszamy do sali 0.06, ul. Pasteura 5 o godzinie 10:15
(Rome Tre University)
Quantum metrology is about extracting information from a system. Quantum communications is about sending information over a network. These simple statements reveal a common ground shared by these two applications, but, simply by reading them aloud, one can realise how connecting them is no trivial matter.In this talk we will discuss some recent progress on how concepts and methods from quantum metrology can become beneficial to quantum communications and vice versa. We will present experiments that use photon pairs as means to establish a quantum communication link via their quantum correlations as well as to realise remote quantum sensing. Notably, not only it is possible to use the quality of the sensor to certify the presence of correlations, but also the quality of the correlations can bound the privacy of the sensing.These experiments are first steps towards integrating sensing capabilities in quantum-secure networks, although such a vision necessitates new technical and conceptual tools.
Zapraszamy do sali 0.06, ul. Pasteura 5 o godzinie 10:15
(IFD UW)
Nonlinear microscopy has revolutionized biological imaging, enabling high-resolution visualization of complex samples. Unlike linear techniques, e.g., multiphoton microscopy offers intrinsic optical sectioning, reduced photodamage, and deeper tissue penetration. However, biological tissues are highly scattering, which fundamentally limits imaging depth and resolution. Overcoming this challenge is crucial for applications ranging from neuroscience to oncology, where clear visualization of deep structures is essential.I will present the three setups for nonlinear imaging: Two-photon microscope that we use for in-vivo imaging, temporal-focusing with super-resolution optical fluctuation imaging for quick and precise imaging, and speckle scanning microscope that together with nonlinearity shows a promise in overcoming the strong scattering.
Zapraszamy do sali 0.06, ul. Pasteura 5 o godzinie 10:15
(Politechnika Warszawska)
In recent years, the increased research has been conducted in the field of terahertz (THz) optics and imaging. The description that explores the landscape of THz optics, focusing on its achievements, current challenges, and prospects is given in this lecture. THz radiation, characterized by wavelengths considerably longer than visible light, induces substantial diffraction effects, profoundly impacting its behavior and imaging capabilities with optical elements. Moreover, the high coherence exhibited by various THz sources facilitates precise wave manipulation. However, it also introduces unwanted interference effects, which are challenging to suppress. Moreover, in many cases, THz optical systems operate within the near-field diffraction zone, which has its peculiarities.The advancement of THz optics is closely related to exploring various materials and manufacturing techniques. Different materials, ranging from dielectrics to semiconductors, exhibit excellent optical properties in the THz range. Furthermore, innovative manufacturing methods such as lithography, additive manufacturing, and metamaterial engineering play crucial roles in developing novel THz optics.This lecture highlights various achievements, current challenges, and promising avenues in the field of THz optics. Emphasizing its versatile applications and the role of material science and manufacturing innovation underscores the transformative potential of THz technology in shaping future advancements.
Zapraszamy do sali 0.06, ul. Pasteura 5 o godzinie 10:15
(Tyndall National Institute, Ireland)
Photonic devices are becoming more ubiquitous in our everyday lives. Starting from usage in data- and telecoms, they are now penetrating into biomedical and sensor markets with numerous emerging technologies being actively researched in fields such as quantum computing, space communications, as well as consumer diagnostics or augmented reality systems. As applications become more abundant, the demand for photonic devices grows, outpacing the available manufacturing base. Photonics packaging is an engineering science that turns disparate photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and electronic chips into functional optoelectronic devices. Current packaging methods and processes are insufficient to support the growth of the numerous and often dissimilar markets. The seminar will introduce strategies for supporting the future of photonics, researched and developed in Photonic Packaging Group at Tyndall National Institute in Ireland. These methods target scaling of device manufacturing from the current serial- to the new parallel, high-volume assembly. One of them is a heterogeneous method for integration of a light-source into the PIC which is important of simplification of a system design. Second topic covers a method for a contactless, direct, and pluggable optical interconnect between a fibre network and the photonic device. The final topic targets the automation of packaging processes as well as new substrate materials that enable wafer-scale assembly of photonic devices.
Zapraszamy do sali 0.06, ul. Pasteura 5 o godzinie 10:15
(IFT UW)
Tunable scattering resonances are crucial for controlling atomic and molecular systems. However, their use has so far been limited to ultracold temperatures. These conditions remain hard to achieve for most hybrid trapped ion-atom systems—a prospective platform for quantum technologies and fundamental research. Here, we measure inelastic collision probabilities for Sr+ + Rb and use them to calibrate a comprehensive theoretical model of ion-atom collisions. Our theoretical results, compared with experimental observations, confirm that quantum interference effects persist to the multiple-partial-wave regime, leading to the pronounced state and mass dependence of the collision rates. Using our model, we go beyond interference and identify a rich spectrum of Feshbach resonances at moderate magnetic fields with the Rb atom in its lower (f = 1) hyperfine state, which persist at temperatures as high as 1 millikelvin. Future observation of these predicted resonances should allow precise control of the short-range dynamics in Sr+ + Rb collisions under unprecedentedly warm conditions.
