• Question: Why did you pick quantum physics over any other type of science?

    Asked by izzypeafrizzy to Ceri, James_M, Arttu on 23 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by littlebopepe, sahar6956.
    • Photo: Ceri Brenner

      Ceri Brenner answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi,

      I guess i didn’t choose quantum physics exactly. I’m doing laser plasma physics, which is under the umbrella of plasma physics really. It happens to fall into the bracket of ‘quantum’ in this case because it relies on the interactions of laser pulses (sources of high electric fields) with electrons in the plasma state. Quantum physics as a research topic tends to be more theoretical and maths based. I’m an experimental scientist which means i carry out the experiments, look at the results that we observe and then try to piece together the physics that will explain the observations. I really enjoy this type of science because it has lots of direct applications for future technology.

    • Photo: Arttu Rajantie

      Arttu Rajantie answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      I wanted to understand how nature really works, and for that you need quantum physics. That is because everything in nature is ultimately quantum mechanical, as far as we know.

    • Photo: James M Monk

      James M Monk answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Quantum physics isn’t something I chose, it’s more like you have to do it because it is the framework within which you can calculate things in particle physics. QM is interesting in its own right, but often physicists don’t think about it because they’re too busy just using it to get on with their own research.

      I think I chose particle physics because it is some of the most basic fundamental research.

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