Dr. Pekik Nurwantoro, a lecturer in the Department of Physics at the UGM Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM), was formally inaugurated as a professor in theoretical and computational physics on Tuesday (Jul. 8) at the UGM Senate Hall.
During the inauguration ceremony, Professor Nurwantoro delivered a speech titled Computational Studies in Unveiling the Mysteries of the Quantum World.
In his address, Professor Nurwantoro noted that public understanding of the quantum world remains limited, as quantum phenomena often defy everyday logic and perception.
“Many phenomena in the quantum realm may appear illogical, yet have been experimentally verified, such as time dilation, particle-wave duality, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, and quantum entanglement,” he explained.
Professor Nurwantoro elaborated on how quantum physics demands a computational approach distinct from classical physics. Quantum phenomena give rise to the need for computation within high-dimensional spaces, involving complex matrix operations and extended processing times.
“While computation in classical physics is limited to a three-dimensional physical space, quantum computation naturally requires an abstract, multi-dimensional space known as Hilbert space,” he stated.
He emphasized the critical role of computational physicists in developing simulations and mathematical models to probe the secrets of the microscopic world.
He also described four key characteristics of the quantum world that directly influence computation: a tendency toward minimalistic states, economic principles, the individuality of particles, and a selective mechanism based on fine spatial and temporal scales.
“Quantum computation is not only about speed and processing power, but also about strategy. Quantum principles such as superposition and entanglement compel us to think beyond classical logic,” he remarked.
In the concluding part of his speech, Professor Nurwantoro touched on the development of quantum computers, which are believed to offer solutions to the major challenges of quantum computation.
Citing physicist Richard Feynman, he stated that simulating quantum systems can only be done optimally using computers that operate based on quantum principles themselves.
In this regard, ongoing research into periodic quantum systems, such as Floquet systems and topological superconductors, continues to pave the way toward realizing stable and efficient quantum computers.
“The potential of quantum computers lies in their ability to process multiple possibilities simultaneously; in other words, they can store and process various streams of information in parallel,” he concluded.
Author: Rafif Rusmana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Anisa Nurliana
Photographer: Firsto