For the first time in six years the recipient of a Horizon 2020-Erc grant decided to move to the University of Trento from a European university.
The grant was awarded by the European Research Council under the European programme Horizon 2020.
Philipp Hans-Jürgen Hauke, a 36-year old German physicist, was hired by the Department of Physics of the University of Trento as associate professor. His research project StrEnQTh-Strong Entanglement in Quantum many-body Theory, investigates the quantum correlations of ultracold atoms.
"Trento is perfect for my project" said Philipp Hauke. "The Bec (Bose-Einstein Condensation) Center of the University of Trento and Cnr is internationally renowned for ultracold atoms and, with Q@Tn, research aimed at the development of quantum technologies is expanding. And I look forward to collaborating with the European Ect* Centre, which is right around the corner, because my work may be useful to studies on nuclear physics phenomena and other energies".
Sandro Stringari, full professor of the Department of Physics of the University of Trento, who has been studying Bose-Einstein condensates and ultracold gases since the nineties, explained: "The study of ultracold atoms is fundamental because they provide information on how matter behaves at microscopic level and at near-absolute zero temperatures, where the motion of atoms is governed by the rules of quantum mechanics. These suggestions are essential if we want to develop new materials and technologies. The arrival of Philipp Hauke in Trento will strengthen research in these new fields of physics".
The research project, which has just started and will continue for four years, takes a radically new approach to the subject.
With a team of six young researchers (master's and doctoral students, and one postdoc), Hauke will examine how quantum correlations generate new matter configurations.
He will also explore new accurate and versatile methods for their detection and monitoring. The final objective of the work is to better understand some issues of fundamental physics on the microscopic behaviour of matter and to create a theoretical basis for the development of new technologies.