» Members, Institute of Quantum Studies

Ph.D. Theoretical Physics, BU, Advisor: Yakir Aharonov; BS, MIT; Research Expertise: quantum sensors, quantum information, quantum computing, foundations of quantum theory.

Yakir Aharonov is an internationally renowned physicist. Recently, Thomson-Reuters conducted a worldwide poll of scientists and Aharonov was voted #1 most likely to win a Nobel Physics Prize in coming years. His sole, full-time affiliation is with Chapman. Aharonov has discovered more than 30 fundamental physics effects, many concerning quantum phases. The topological nature of quantum phases (which are independent of the space-time paths of the encircling particles) makes them robust and useful tools for many fields of physics. For example, the impact of the Aharonov-Bohm effect has been huge, as indicated by the number of times the AB effect is mentioned in titles /abstracts, summing to more than 4000 (recently growing very rapidly). The principal government quantum information roadmap states: “At least two important precursors to this [quantum computing] paradigm shift had critical influence," citing Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen/Bohm-Aharonov/Bell effect and the Aharonov-Bohm effect.

Aharon Casher is renowned for his work particle physics and foundations of quantum theory, specifically on understanding super-symmetry at the level of field theory, along with his work on the fundamentals of field theory and quantum gravity.  His most cited publications include the Aharonov-Casher effect along with papers concerning spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking in quantum chromo-dynamics.

Professor David Gross has been a central figure in the theoretical developments surrounding the emergence of quantum chromodynamics as the accepted theory of the strong nuclear force. He was awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics for this discovery.

Prof. Leggett’s pioneering work on superfluidity was honored with the 2003 Nobel Prize.

Shmuel Nussinov has over 300 publications, Nussinov’s main interests are in high energy physics - in particular the physics of hadrons’ strongly interacting particles, the physics of neutrinos. In addition he is interested in astroparticle - an interdisciplinary area bridging astrophysics and particle physics and the dark matter problem - namely that we do not know as yet what most of the matter in the universe is comprised of. In addition, he has been working on foundational issues in quantum mechanics and field theory.

Sandu Popescu is well known as one of the founders of, and most active researchers in, quantum information. Popescu's work has completely changed the subject of quantum entanglement and nonlocality.  He helped create the quantitative approach to entanglement which became the central paradigm of the field, namely “entanglement as a resource”. He also pioneered research on multi-partite entanglement and on the nonlocality of interactions (rather than of states) and was the first to extend the notion of non-locality beyond quantum mechanics. The study of super-quantum nonlocal correlations (the so called Popescu-Rohrich correlations) is at present an entire research area by itself.  With Massar, he initiated the area of quantum state estimation.  With Gisin he initiated the subject of alignment of frames of reference by quantum means. He also initiated the area of entangled photons spectroscopy. Popescu also has had very successful interactions with experimentalists: for example, he designed the experimental scheme for the first quantum teleportation experiment.  Finally, Popescu conducted seminal work on the foundations of statistical mechanics, showing from first principles, that every system in contact with a much larger one (bath) reaches equilibrium (a“holy grails” of the subject).

Leonard Susskind of Stanford University is well known for his fundamental work in quantum field theory, quantum cosmology and string theory.

Sir Michael Berry is known for the discovery of the Berry-phase, the sister-phenomenon to the Aharonov-Bohm phase. Thomson-Reuters not long ago conducted a worldwide poll of scientists, in which Aharonov, along with Institute member Sir Michael Berry, were voted #1 most likely to win a Nobel Prize in physics in coming years

Paul Davies' research has focused on some of the biggest questions of existence with revolutionary impact, ranging from the origin of the universe to the origin of life, the deep nature of reality, the mysteries of time, and the realm of quantum physics. Over the years his work was awarded him many prizes and honors, including the Templeton Prize

Armen Gulian’s scientific carrier began with a PhD and post-doctoral research on non-equilibrium phenomena in superconductors and superfluids with Nobel Laureate Vitaly Ginzburg. His 70 refereed publications include: predicting the “phonon deficit” effect (important for development of electronic coolers); theory of superconducting quantum generators (potential application for terahertz radiation imaging and high-resolution acoustic imaging); prediction of interference current at hydrodynamic description of superconductivity (important for superconducting nano-wires). Before setting up the Advanced Physics Laboratory for Chapman, Dr. Gulian founded the Laboratory of High-Temperature Superconductivity at the Physics Research Institute, Armenia (world’s first observation of phase-slip centers in high-temperature superconductors) and thereafter worked on development of quantum detectors at the US Naval Research Laboratory. There he suggested a theoretical design and demonstrated experimentally the cryogenic detector prototypes for X-ray/UV single-photons.