Exploring Frontiers on Quantum Physics via Academic Exchanges beyond Borders

Firsthand experiences and global perspectives are the lifeblood of academic exchange for young scientists, fueling their pursuit of knowledge and broadening their horizons. Miss Xiaoxue RAN and Dr Jiarui ZHAO, PhD student and Postdoctoral Fellow in Professor Zi Yang MENG’s research team at the Department of Physics, took a transformative three-week journey in France to embody this spirit of intellectual exploration in November. The focal point of their adventure included an inspiring two-day conference nestled in the heart of Paris, followed by a fortnight of academic exchange in the vibrant city of Toulouse.

At the conference ‘Quantum Information: Theory and Applications’ held at the CY Cergy Paris University, Xiaoxue and Jiarui were warmly welcomed by the conference organiser, Professor Andreas HONECKER, a member of the Laboratory of Theoretical Physics and Modeling (LPTM), a collaborative organisation between the CY Cergy Paris University and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). The conference unveiled cutting-edge theories and groundbreaking applications in the fields of quantum computing, quantum simulation, and algorithms, where Xiaoxue and Jiarui found themselves immersed in exchanges with scholars across the globe.

 

Their journey continued as they ventured southward to Toulouse for a two-week academic exchange, where they had a chance to meet their collaborators at the Laboratoire de Physique Théorique (LPT) (a joint organisation between the CNRS and the University of Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier) — Professors Nicolas LAFLORENCIE (director of the research centre), Fabien ALET (deputy director) and Sylvain CAPPONI (former deputy director). To Xiaoxue and Jiarui, the discussions they engaged with the Condensed Matter Theory group were like a symphony of intellectual discourse. As part of the Journal Club activities of the Fermions Fortement Corrélés (FFC) group, Jiarui presented on entanglement entropy in quantum spin systems, while Xiaoxue shared insights on phase diagrams of quantum constrained models. The vibrant atmosphere of discussion not only stimulated intellectual growth but also fostered scholarly camaraderie among the collaborators.

 

Amidst their scholarly pursuits, Xiaoxue and Jiarui also found solace in embracing French culture, beautiful architecture and natural landscapes there. And as the visit concluded, the young scientists’ minds were brimmed with newfound knowledge and inspiration.

 

‘This trip is truly exhilarating and unforgettable. The stimulating discussions with physicists there are very inspiring, and I thoroughly enjoyed engaging in brainstorms with them. Although the duration of this trip may be short, it will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on my life,’ said Xiaoxue. ‘The academic exchange has not only given me much inspirations for new research ideas but also served a good channel for scientific collaborations between Hong kong and France,’ Jiarui echoed.

 

This exchange activity is supported by the ANR/RGC Joint Research Scheme of UGC (Project No. A_HKU703/22), co-led by Professor Zi Yang Meng and his collaborators.