Beatriz Pérez González, who recently got her PhD at the Materials Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM), CSIC, and the Complutense University, has been chosen as one of the winners of the IV edition of the 'Yo investigo. Yo soy CSIC' competition, organized by the Graduate Department of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The prize includes a monetary award of 3,000 euros, which will be used to finance research stays in international groups.

The young researcher, who defended her doctoral thesis last March, explains her research in the field of theoretical physics in a didactic and original video, specifically focusing on the Radiation-Matter Interaction in Topological Systems. "I develop theoretical models to understand the interaction between quantum materials and electromagnetic fields such as light," explained the researcher in a popular science manner. In particular, the thesis investigates how these materials interact with light and how light can be used to modify their topological properties. Light can be experimentally implemented as a laser beam incident on the material or as a single photon, but in both cases, it can be demonstrated that the interaction with the material is capable of manipulating its properties.

In a pre-defense interview, Pérez explained that her work has direct applications in quantum technologies: "Topological edge states can encode information in a more robust way, as topological properties are naturally protected against certain perturbations or disorder. This can be used for quantum state transfer protocols or for quantum computation: light provides us with an external knob to design the topological properties of the material."

The video is recorded in a single tracking shot in the corridors of ICMM. For almost three minutes, the researcher walks while looking at the camera, explaining complex concepts in a simple manner. She uses illustrations she created herself, which appear and disappear from the frame. Pérez received assistance from Carlos Arroyo (Morgan), a cameraman from ICMM, as well as researchers Harvey Amorín, Íñigo Bretos, and Rafael Pérez.

Now, she proudly expresses her gratitude and happiness above all. "I am happy to receive the award and grateful to those who helped me with the recording," she emphasizes. After receiving a distinction for her thesis, the researcher continues to work with her supervisor at ICMM, Gloria Platero, and plans to move to Germany next year to pursue her scientific career.

-- Ángela R. Bonachera - ICMM Communications Unit --

Thursday, June 8, 2023 - 16:32