Sidebar: Quantum roots
Rahul Sahay’s quantum mechanics research started at his undergraduate school, the University of California, Berkeley. For his final project, working with DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship alumnus Norman Yao, he worked on the interface between many-body physics —the interactions of lots of particles with one another — and the theories underpinning quantum computing.
Sahay likes quantum physics because its conceptually rich ideas offer depth. “There’s a lot of work involved in the subject that sort of just involves your perspective,” he says, which guides his problem solving. The creativity and fun involved in the process of using science as a means of informing and developing his own viewpoint was something he fell in love with.
Sahay shares his excitement for the quantum world by mentoring younger students in his physics department, an effort he has continued since his undergraduate years.
Outside his research, he’s an avid guitar player. He finds music therapeutic and a creativity-booster. He also likes watching films and playing basketball.
About the Author
The author is a science writer and journalist based in New York City.
