Pint of Quantum

The behaviour of atoms and molecules is governed by the laws of quantum mechanics. Understanding how atoms rotate, vibrate and interact with other molecules is crucial for various fields such as chemistry, materials science, and drug discovery. Unfortunately, even our best computers in the world are not powerful enough to accurately predict and understand this behaviour for many of the most interesting and potentially useful molecular systems.

Steven Thomson is a quantum condensed matter theorist, currently working as a Research Scientist for IBM Research.

Quantum mechanics makes the universe a fundamentally uncertain place. While Heisenberg was first to formalise the idea, interpreting his uncertainty principles has been the source of continued debate while also providing the seeds for pioneering research. I'll aim to give a quick intro to the essence of the uncertainty principles and highlight where the biggest interpretational bottleneck appeared, one which eventually led to the notion of the "quantum speed limit.