Professor Sandu Popescu
Current positions
Professor of Physics
School of Physics
Contact
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Research interests
My main research interest is in fundamental aspects of quantum physics. The fact that so often one discovers seemingly paradoxical new quantum effects is a signature that a deep and intuitive understanding is still missing. My main goal is to reach such an understanding.
A major focus of my research has been quantum entanglement and non-locality. This led me to do pioneering work in what became the area of quantum information and computation and to establish some of the central concepts of this new field.
I have contributed to many other aspects of quantum theory, ranging from well established subjects to those that my collaborators and I initiated such as nonlocal correlations beyond quantum mechanics, quantum effects in pre- and post-selected quantum states and entangled-photon spectroscopy. More recently I worked in the foundations of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, proving from first principles some of its basic postulates.
Whilst my work focuses mainly on fundamental, theoretical aspects of quantum theory, I also greatly enjoy engaging with experimentalists. In particular I designed and participated to the first teleportation experiment, one of the most famous experiments in the field of quantum information. I have also patented several commercial practical applications.
Publications
Recent publications
03/10/2023Conservation laws and the foundations of quantum mechanics
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
A dynamical quantum Cheshire Cat effect and implications for counterfactual communication
Nature Communications
Error Correction of Quantum Reference Frame Information
PRX Quantum
On conservation laws in quantum mechanics
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Constraints on nonlocality in networks from no-signaling and independence
Nature Communications