Pau Farrera - MPQ
1. Briefly describe your current position/project, research focus, and your role within MCQST.
I am a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Gerhard Rempe, and I will start soon a new position as a START Fellow. In our team, we study the interaction between light and matter at a very fundamental level, in the quantum regime. In particular, we experimentally explore the quantum physics phenomena happening when single atoms interact with single quanta of radiation (single photons). A unique feature of our current experiment is that this atom-photon interaction happens via two optical modes defined by two crossed optical cavities, which are strongly coupled to the atom. To give an example, in one of our latest research studies we used this novel atom-cavity platform to develop an extremely subtle optical detector, able to detect single photon qubits without destroying the photon nor its encoded quantum superposition state. In general terms, our research spans from exploring fundamental concepts in quantum optics to developing novel systems for quantum communication and computation technologies.
2. You are MCQST's Postdoc Representative in the Executive Committee. Can you describe your role and experience so far?
Together with Jasmin Meinecke we represent the postdoc community from MCQST, and getting a deeper insight into the cluster has been so far an exciting experience. One of our main goals has been to enhance the interaction possibilities between postdoctoral researchers in different groups and institutes within MCQST. We considered this was particularly important at this point in time, since during the last years the COVID situation made it really hard for young researchers to connect to each other. So far we organized a postdoc get-together scientific evening in November, and we are planning to continue with a series of lunch "Academic Chat" events. We are happy to see how these events contribute to bring quantum researchers in Munich closer together, which is one of the very nice aspects that MCQST brings to our community.
We are happy to see how these events contribute to bring quantum researchers in Munich closer together, which is one of the very nice aspects that MCQST brings to our community.
3. Do you have any special or unique holiday traditions?
A special tradition from my homeland, happening on December 25th, consists in receiving gifts from a quite unique magical creature called "Tió de Nadal" (also popularly known as "Caga Tió"). This creature is a magic wooden log that after spending the whole year in the forest, comes to our homes seeking a warm shelter for the Christmas period. On the Christmas day the "Tió de Nadal" provides us with gifts in exchange for songs, the warm shelter and food. This tradition is particularly special for the little ones, but any age is good to enjoy the songs and receive a couple of gifts.