Advertise on podcast: The Light Side

What is it like to fall in love with a problem? In this episode I sit down with Professor David Deutsch, pioneer of quantum computing and one of the most influential thinkers in modern theoretical physics. David takes us through his journey from studying quantum fields in Dennis Sciama's prefab hut at Oxford to developing the theoretical foundations of quantum computing. We discuss Constructor Theory, a new framework he is developing with Chiara Marletto, that approaches physics through what can and cannot be caused to happen rather than predicting what will happen from initial conditions. If you are curious about what drives a lifetime of creativity in science, this conversation will stay with you.

Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered pulsars as a Cambridge graduate student in 1967, but there's so much more to her story. She walks us through growing up in Northern Ireland, where an astronomy book that her father brought home from the library, hooked her completely. We also hear about her experiences navigating Cambridge as one of the few women in physics. We explore what questions excite her today and her hopes for the future of astronomy and science.

What exactly makes a quantum computer different from the laptop on your desk? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Maria Violaris, a quantum physicist at Oxford, to discuss how qubits use superposition and entanglement, why today’s quantum computers are impressive but not yet practical, and the challenges researchers are working to overcome. Maria also shares her journey into quantum computing and what inspired her to explore this field.

Prof. Steve Simon from Oxford shares how he became fascinated with physics, unpacks topological quantum computing, and reflects on why history of science matters to him.