My research falls into three broad areas: (i) Theoretical description of pump-probe experiments for strongly correlated electronic materials; (ii) solving real science problems with quantum computers; and (iii) rethinking how to teach quantum mechanics and testing whether the new curriculum works.
The work in pump-probe experiments focuses primarily on exactly solvable models. We have done significant work on the Falicov-Kimball model and are currently working on electron-phonon coupled systems. We examine all kinds of probes from photoemission to Raman scattering, to x-ray probes such as core-hole photoemission and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Our main collaborators in this work are Andrij Shvaika from Ukraine and Manuel Weber from Germany.
The work on quantum computation is looking into simulating driven dissipative systems on quantum computers because they are well suited to this problem and these problems are difficult to solve classically. We have already solved a number of simple problems this way and are working on a more general approach that can tackle more problems. We have also worked on the problems of time evolution and of ground-state preparation, especially of chemical systems.
The work on quantum pedagogy is grounded in my new book, entitled Quantum Mechanics Done Right: The shortest path from novice to researcher. We develop quantum mechanics in an accessible way that uses no calculus, but nevertheless develops nearly all of the undergraduate, graduate, and beyond materials. We have looked at how to solve many conventional problems using operator methods and have developed pedagogy for quantum simulation on quantum computers and have clarified a number of problems from chemistry instruction. We are currently working on developing a sophomore-level curriculum that is focused on emphasizing the classical-quantum connection throughout. We have also worked on how to include complex analysis in the graduate quantum curriculum.
In this work, we work with senior colleagues, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduates, high-school students and citizen scientists. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me.
Jim Freericks, Professor of Physics