Sebas V. Romero, new PhD at Novel Platforms and Nano-Devices for Quantum Simulation and Computation group

Image

Sebastián V. Romero is a new predoctoral researcher who comes from Derio, a "small and peaceful village in Euskadi", as he says, although he was born in Montevideo (Uruguay). Now, he has joined the ICMM as a predoctoral researcher for the Novel Platforms and Nano-Devices for Quantum Simulation and Computation group. 

What have you worked on so far?

Under the supervision of Yue Ban and Xi Chen, I spent two years as a PhD candidate at the Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (EHU) devising realistic models of quantum batteries, targeting fast charging and stable energy storage and analyzing the role of quantum chaos and entanglement. We also developed quantum algorithms based on shortcuts to adiabaticity for reliable ground-state preparation and state transfer, which are relevant for simulating properties of quantum many-body models in regimes that may be inaccessible to classical methods.

What will you work on? With whom?

With the guidance of my supervisors Yue Ban and Xi Chen, we will continue along this research line, designing robust and efficient quantum batteries with status-quo quantum hardware in mind, thus looking for actual implementations on current devices. Moreover, surrounded by experts like Gloria Platero and Christopher Wächtler, we would like to explore time crystals, a subtle yet intriguing new phase of matter that is promising for quantum technologies. For both projects, it will be crucial to stay in close contact with experimentalists to assess what is feasible or not to date.

Why ICMM?

The possibility of working closely with leading scientists in condensed matter physics, among other fields, in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment makes ICMM the ideal place for my scientific and personal growth.

And a personal touch: any hobbies? What would you like to contribute to the institute?

Outside of work, I enjoy playing the guitar, cooking and doing carpentry. I would love to contribute to the social life of the institute by sharing our latest results but also the culture of yerba mate: sharing mate is a simple but powerful way to create community, start conversations, and make people feel welcome, just as the ICMM family has made me feel from the very beginning!