Dear Colleagues,
On 1 April, 2022, we established a new research organization, the "Center for Gravitational Physics and Quantum Information (CGPQI)", inside the Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics (YITP).
Since 1953, YITP has been contributing to the progress in physics as a unique institute which covers the whole areas of theoretical physics. In its early days, YITP played a central role in promoting astrophysics and biophysics in Japan. In 2016, we launched the Center for Gravitational Physics to expand research areas of physics covered in YITP, which may be characterized by the keyword "gravity". In recent years, it has been recognized that “quantum information” is not only a basis of quantum technology but also may provide keys to open new doors for physics in future, which are expected to emerge as interdisciplinary researches between physics and quantum information. As we realized the importance of “quantum information” in physics, we created a quantum information research group to YITP as our 5th research group in 2018, and also became a host institute of “International Research Unit of Quantum Information” under Kyoto University Research Coordination Alliance in 2020. Combining these new trends with traditional YITP’s activities, we finally established "Center for Gravitational Physics and Quantum Information", as the first research center for interdisciplinary studies through whole physics and quantum information in Japan.
As is well known, quantum theory and general relativity, two greatest discoveries in 20th century’s physics, not only have developed natural sciences but also have brought various influences on modern society. On the other hand, a marriage of the two, quantum gravity, which is expected to answer one of the ultimate questions in physics such as how our universe was born out of nothing, remains unsuccessful. Recently, however, “quantum information” appears to change such a situation. For example, it is shown in recent research that “quantum information” leads to a genesis of the Universe in some gravitational theory. Furthermore, “quantum information” may bring a deeper understanding of topological materials, which have potential to be devices of quantum computers.
In these circumstances, our new center, CGPQI, aims at developing interactive activities between physics and quantum information: progresses in fundamental physics by “quantum information” in one hand, and breakthroughs in “quantum information and quantum technology” brought from theoretical physics point of views in the other. For this purpose, we will collaborate with researchers and institutions from all over the world, and make CGPQI a base for such research projects.
We hope you will have occasions to join in our activities at CGPQI, YITP. We always welcome your comments and suggestions.
April, 2022 Sinya Aoki
