The universe computes: every atom, electron, and elementary particle registers bits of information, and every time two particles collide, those bits are flipped and processed. By ‘hacking’ the computational power of the universe, we can build quantum computers that store and process information at the level of atoms and electrons. This computational capacity underlies the generation of complex systems, and provides insight into the origin of life and its future
Producers: Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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Frank Wilczek: Origin of Mass / Feebleness of Gravity
Einstein’s famous equation E=mc2 is usually associated with the idea that small amounts of mass can be converted into large amounts of energy. For fundamental physics, however, the more important idea is the opposite: researchers want to explain how mass itself arises. Prof. Wilczek explains how this goal can, to a remarkable extent, be achieved. He also discusses some of the consequences – such as an explanation of why gravity is so feeble – and gives suggestions for new physical phenomena that may be found at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
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Paul Steinhardt: Impossible Crystals
Learn how, for centuries, scientists were convinced that solids (as well as decorative patterns like tiling and quilts) could only have certain symmetries – such as square, hexagonal and triangular – and how a new kind of pattern, known as a “quasicrystal,” shatters these restrictions and allows an infinite number of new structures. Prof. Steinhardt shows beautiful patterns and offers a series of geometrical toys and games demonstrating how this barrier was overcome – leading to insights on how to grow perfect “quasicrystals,” and inspiring new materials and technological applications.
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Edward Witten: The Quest for Supersymmetry
Prof. Witten examines key discoveries of 20th century physics such as the detection of antimatter. He then describes how many of today’s leading scientists are working at the high energy frontier in their quest to uncover the quantum structures of space and time. Prof. Witten is one of the world’s pre-eminent string theorists and is widely known for showing how five different variations of string theory belong within a single framework. His awards range from a MacArthur “genius grant” to the Fields Medal – the highest honour in mathematics.
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Daniel Gottesman: Quantum Cryptography
Sensitive information can be valuable to others – from personal credit card numbers to state and military secrets. Throughout history, sophisticated codes have been developed in an attempt to keep important data from prying eyes. Now, new technologies are emerging based on the surprising laws of quantum physics that govern the atomic scale. These powerful techniques threaten to crack some secret codes in widespread use today and, at the same time, offer new quantum cryptographic protocols which could one day profoundly alter the way we safeguard critical information.
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John Grant: Mission To Mars
An expected 90-day robotic odyssey on Mars has stretched into a two year scientific marathon. Dr. Grant, a geologist with the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, helped pick the landing sites and works on the day-to-day operations of the Spirit and Opportunity Rovers. He shares the latest photos, explains what Martian mysteries have been uncovered and offers a look at how scientists plan to push the limits of future robots in space.
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The John Ellis/Robert Orr: The Large Hadron Collider
International researchers at the Large Hadron Collider have embarked on one of science’s greatest adventures. With its very high energy, the particle collider will explore the mysteries surrounding the smallest particles of matter. It may also pierce secrets that the universe has hidden since the early stages of the Big Bang, such as the nature of dark matter and the origin of matter itself. It is the largest scientific experiment ever attempted and the complex international efforts to bring it to life, including Canada’s involvement, are part of this presentation.
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Edward Kolb: The Quantum and The Cosmos
Long before the emergence of planets, stars, or galaxies, the universe consisted of an exploding quantum soup of “elementary” particles. Encoded in this formless, shapeless soup were the seeds of cosmic structure, which over billions of years grew into the complex universe we observe today. Prof. Kolb reveals how the connection between the “inner space” of the quantum and the “outer space” of the cosmos may hold the key to the nature of the dark matter holding our galaxy together and the mysterious dark energy pulling it apart.
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Raymond Laflamme: Harnessing the Quantum World
Is the world ready for this upgrade? The very foundation of computer science is changing. As Moore’s Law draws to a close, rules of quantum physics are taking over. Learn how leading researchers are using counterintuitive effects, such as superposition, in their quest to build ultra-powerful quantum computers. Prof. Laflamme explains how quantum particles behave, are controlled and, ultimately, can be used to calculate.
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Gerard ‘t Hooft: Science Fiction and Reality
In the recent past, rapid scientific and technological developments have had tremendous impact on human society. The personal computer, internet and mobile telephones changed the world and shrank our planet. These developments are vastly different from the forecasts by science fiction authors who promised us space travel and intelligent humanoid robots. Could scientists have done a better forecasting job? What can we say about the future now? Nature’s laws are very strict but also show gaps that might promise fantastic possibilities for a scientific future, even within our lifetime.