Theoretical Physics plays a fundamental role in expanding our horizon of knowledge about the workings of anything and everything that we see around us!
Shrobona Bagchi, our next pathbreaker, QUC Research Fellow at Quantum Universe Center, Korea Institute of Advanced studies, Seoul, South Korea, solves problems at the intersection theoretical quantum physics, quantum information and quantum computation.
Shrobona talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about mostly being led by her interest in physics to know more and explore it, even though she did not have a very clear idea about what careers can be pursued after .
For students, enjoying what you do is immensely satisfying and ensures progress in whatever your goals are.
Shrobona, can you share your background with our young readers?
My early childhood was spent in the scenic natural surroundings of the north zone of West Bengal, India, that gave ample nourishment to my explorative and imaginative mind. In my later childhood and teenage years, in Kolkata, the rich cultural and scientific heritage of West Bengal, especially Kolkata conferred in me the creative enrichment and inspiration. Also since early childhood, my love for books, especially those of science, physics and mathematics stories encouraged the drive in me to unravel the secrets of nature and use my imagination to reach a new horizon of knowledge.
I would state that the famous stories about the leaning tower of Pisa experiment in physics and the stories about the discovery of the laws of inertia in theoretical physics as something that created in me a fascination for the subject of theoretical physics since early childhood.
My family background was very supportive and inspirational in this regard. My parents came from educated and enlightened families. Both of them are medical doctors and attained the top positions of Medical Education Service. My mom is equally interested in Physics, music and creative writing. My dad also has a cultural and scientific mind. Both of them used to gift me books on science and literature every year from the Kolkata Book Fair.
My elder brother (now late due to covid) was also an intelligent, creative and enthusiastic person who later specialized in fashion technology and I have learnt a lot through my interactions with him.
Alongside, I have enjoyed learning music, dance, painting and sports since my childhood as well. I received formal training in Indian classical dance, Indian classical music, swimming and held a scholarship for painting from the Government of India, while I pursued my school education full-time. However, my love for physics, mathematics since early years led me to choose theoretical physics which I am currently pursuing with passion. This was also strengthened by the fact that I fared well in physics and mathematics in my school years and received encouragement from my teachers.
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
I opted for graduating (BSc for three years) in Physics with first class honours from Bidhannagar Govt College (then under Calcutta University), Kolkata and then Integrated MSc-PhD in Theoretical Physics (PhD in Quantum Information and Computation) at Harish Chandra Research Institute, under Dept of Atomic Energy, Govt of India.
What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Quantum Physics?
I have been focused since my early academic life to choose scientific research as my career. The inspiring work of scientists like Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Satyendranath Bose, Ramanujan, Emmy Noether, Roger Penrose influenced me.
People like my school maths tutor Ms.Deepa Majumdar, college teachers like Dr. Ranjan Kr Ghosh, Dr. Rajkumar Chakraborty and others, my Master’s teachers like Prof. Ashoke Sen ( the eminent physicist in String Theory) and my PhD supervisor Dr. Arun Kumar Pati, the eminent Quantum Physicist guided me into the world of physics and mathematics through their teachings . In my post-doctoral years, I have also received words of encouragement from many senior physicists.
There are a few memorable events, for example one of them was winning the first prize in the inter-college poster competition in Kolkata at Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics which was brought to my notice by my Physics teacher Dr. Haimanti Chakrabarti. The poster was on the topic of time in the context of general theory of relativity. The prize was conferred by Prof. Bikas Sinha. Also in that event, we attended an inspiring scientific talk by Prof. Roger Penrose who won the Nobel Prize recently.
Another one was attending a conference while I was in my PhD years, which brought women physicists from different parts of the world in one place, which took place in Canada, where I enjoyed interacting with the junior and senior women physicists from all over the world, listening to their research and also some of the personal stories that highlighted some social biases towards women in STEM and what awareness is required for them to ensure that such biases do not occur in the future.
I would say my turning point was after my Bachelors. I fared well in All-India competitive exams like IIA, IITs, BHU etc and another turning pointcame when I saw that the quantum information and computation group was introduced in our institute that would solely focus on the wonderful subject of quantum mechanics in a modern format. Without a second thought, I decided to pursue quantum information and computation. Since then, I have really liked my journey so far in this rapidly developing field.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path
After my school years, I was mostly led by my interest in physics to know more and explore it, to pursue masters and PhD, without a very clear idea what careers can be pursued after my studies. But during and after my completion of PhD in Quantum Physics, I knew that I wanted to do research in theoretical physics, teach and also try to link the research findings in some applications. As a result, I was keen to do my post doctoral research work in good places with accomplished researchers in the field of Quantum Physics and in topics that interest me, so as to enrich myself with further knowledge and new ideas.
With that intention, I started applying for post doctoral positions in the centers of excellence in India and abroad. I first got the opportunity to work with Prof Berge Englert of the Centre for Quantum Technology, National University of Singapore for one year.
Next I worked with Prof Lev Vaidman of Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel for three years with the PBC fellowship. In this group, I worked with Prof Lev Vaidman, Prof Yakir Aharonov (who is the discoverer of the famous Aharonov Bohm effect), and other stalwarts who critically guided me to explore my path of research in my own way as well.
My next post-doctoral research work was with Dr. Seung Woo Lee, Principal Researcher of the Centre for Quantum Information, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea. Here, I learned new concepts from him and his work, and collaborated on the interesting idea of information loss in quantum measurements. Here I also got some freedom to carry out research of my own interests. I began to address the new and unexplored sectors of Quantum Physics such as the intersection of relativity and quantum measurements that can have some implications on the questions of physics involving gravity and quantum physics together in a non-trivial way. The results of my research are attracting the attention of the researchers worldwide.
After three years of job in KIST, I joined the Quantum Universe Center, Korea Institute of Advanced studies, Seoul, South Korea as a QUC research fellow where I continue to pursue interesting questions in error mitigation in quantum systems as well as some fundamental aspects of quantum physics such as Bell non-locality.
How did you get your first break?
After graduation, I sought admission to a Masters course via all-India competitive examinations.
I consider my first break as my “very good” performance in pretty much every All-India competitive exam for getting into a masters program in Physics. I was selected for Benaras Hindu University masters program, integrated MSc-PhD program at Indian Institute of Astrophysics (written and interview) and IIT (JAM exam) masters program in Physics, with 3rd , 2nd and 71st positions respectively. Thus, I could have gone to a place like IIT Bombay for masters in physics for example. However, I was very happy to be selected for admission in integrated MSc-PhD program of Harish Chandra Research Institute, under Dept of Atomic Energy, Govt of India, the center of excellence for pursuing studies in Theoretical Physics through entrance exams and interviews. After this, I am following my interests for research in Physics with enthusiasm.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
The first challenge I faced stemmed from the notion that in the surroundings that I lived in, there were some seniors and peers around me discouraging my idea of venturing into the ‘uncertain’ world of scientific research, and instead suggesting to me a safe money-making career. But I chose to follow a path that ignites so much of my interest, curiosity and enthusiasm. My mom backed me very much in this respect.
The second challenge came when I faced some people who again advised me to only follow a very safe path in research without venturing into something very modern. However, I did persist in my interest and still continue to read, know and explore areas that might be more difficult than others to solve while also doing something more of a practical research significance, and geared towards applications in the immediate future.
My 3rd Challenge is as a woman in a traditionally male dominated arena, I faced apprehensions from many people with regard to my path in research in the long run, and questions and assumptions surrounding the traditional roles of women. These apprehensions created discomfort in me. However, I started to surround myself with people who are well-meaning, reasonable and well intentioned in this respect and ignored my interactions with people with a prejudiced mindset with respect to constricted gender norms. This restored my mental health and helped me to lead a joyful life.
Where do you work now?
I am now working as a QUC Research Fellow at Quantum Universe Center, Korea Institute of Advanced studies, Seoul, South Korea.
What problems do you solve?
The problems that I solve are in theoretical quantum physics, quantum information and quantum computation. They involve problems involving error mitigation in quantum systems for quantum computation purposes or the minimization of information loss in quantum measurements for efficient implementation of quantum information processing tasks in quantum devices. Another part of my work involves solving non-trivial problems in the foundational aspects of quantum physics such as Bell non-locality in network scenario or the conceptual and mathematical problems at the intersection of quantum physics and relativity theories that are related around the questions about the concepts of quantum gravity.
What skills are required for your role? How did you acquire the skills?
I need the skills of clear conceptual understanding, questioning, free thinking and imagination. Also essential are mathematical and analytical skills. Another important thing is the eagerness to pick up new ideas and knowledge as one progresses through this journey. It is also essential to keep an open mind for ideas that have good scientific evidence. I have acquired these skills mainly by following my interests and learning via books, lectures, articles, seminars and off course good mentors
What’s a typical day like?
A typical work day would start around 9 or 9.30 am. I would have a nourishing breakfast and take a bath before heading to the office, where I work on about 1 or 2 different research topics in a day. This may involve literature review, or scribbling down some equations or writing a program in Mathematics that progresses my current research agenda. After that, I have a good lunch, after which I again work on a research problem trying to think of good ideas to approach a research problem and write them down in my notebook or overleaf files. Sometimes, during one of the workdays, I review papers for journals like Physical Review, Physical Review Letter or Nature Partner Journals or finish up a research manuscript for sending to journals. I also have snacks in-between and or tea/coffee and take strolls outside, talk with some colleagues, talk with my family and friends during the evening. I come home after the evening and usually take a rest or write some important emails.
On some workdays, I also have a meeting or two with fellow researchers and some of my students to discuss our collaborative projects as well. I must say I do listen to some music when I come back home and try to have a healthy wholesome dinner. On a few days a week, I do some exercises like gym or yoga during the evening after my work is over and on weekends I sometimes enjoy cooking new recipes or painting or reading a book on the genre of literature/ fiction.
What is it you love about this job?
The joys of exploration and creation are what I love the most about this job. Also the fact that the findings of my research will be useful to humankind in fields like communication as well as medical fields and knowledge frontiers in the near or far future is deeply motivating as well.
How does your work benefit society?
I work towards expanding the horizon of knowledge about the workings, about everything that we see around us, a virtue the society needs for a better future. I am dedicated to the fundamental research area of Theoretical Physics as well as its applications in the immediate future such as quantum technologies and quantum devices. Research cultivates our mind for clearer thinking, makes for a coherent society and creates tools that can help solve problems for human beings at different levels whether be communication systems, gps systems or medical science. Quantum properties in particular have demonstrated abilities to speed up classical computations in some important contexts. Scientists in this field are therefore pushing the boundaries of such knowledge and practice.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
There are some works that are memorable for me. One of them is the introduction of the reverse uncertainty relation with fellow researchers in the field of quantum physics during my PhD, which was highlighted in Nature India. Another recent memorable work is the writing of an analytical review chapter on the topic of quantum measurements of simple systems of spin in the context of special relativity. This review identified a problem or a paradox in the understanding of quantum physics and relativity together, that have been reported by a few authors from different perspectives in earlier works. The book is called ‘Quantum Entanglement in High Energy Physics’, edited by the eminent Prof Oliver K Baker of Yale University. This book has garnered attention and has been taken in libraries of universities like University of Oxford, Trinity College Dublin and a few others. This chapter and book brings in important discussions and questions in the rapidly developing field of the intersection of quantum information, quantum physics and theories of relativity.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
I would advise students to follow their interests with enthusiasm. To explore, follow their curiosity, and keep an open mind. Enjoying doing what you do is immensely satisfying and ensures progress in whatever you do.There might be naysayers or distractors, however there are also people who encourage and mentor. You should learn not to be disheartened by temporary setbacks (I have also faced a few of these ), but adapt to new situations and take learnings from setbacks when they happen, in a positive spirit. Also whenever possible, surround yourself with people who are positive. I would also say that keeping in mind a broader picture of how what you do will serve society and benefit others is also a good idea. Another important part of any pursuit is also upholding the integrity of oneself and one’s contributions, since these also benefit society as a whole.
I have also not always passed the threshold of all entrance exams I have attempted, but I have not let it go to my heart. I might have had a few bad days due to that, but I have learnt something from those setbacks and tried to include those learnings in my next steps and endeavors and they have paid off. I would suggest the students do the same.
Also, I have had some setbacks in my personal life involving passing away of my dear ones during Covid, breakdown of some personal relationships due to some prejudices that had affected me. During those times, I have immensely benefitted from the caring interactions of some family members, some friends and colleagues, and sometimes even from strangers. Therefore, from this experience I would also advise you to surround yourself with well meaning people.
Future Plans?
My future plans of course involve a lot of research around theoretical physics. My research plans include meaningful quantum error mitigation protocols and other applications. Also, a very important part of my future research plans is solving a non-trivial and relevant problem in the foundational aspect of quantum physics such as Bell non-locality in a network scenario. The third plan is to conduct high quality research on the topic of spin measurements at the intersection of quantum physics and special relativity about which I mentioned before. Of course I will be looking forward to teaching students physics , doing physics research as well as continuing my academic career. Among other things, I would also like a well balanced life with other enrichments that are essential to keep a healthy mind, body and spirit which in turn will enrich my research and teaching as well.