Trapped ions—charged atoms suspended using electric fields—are among the most promising systems for exploring the strange world of quantum physics.

In October’s Balliol Online Lecture Dr Srinivas will introduce how trapped ion experiments work and why they’re such a powerful platform for both fundamental research and emerging technologies. He will then delve into three areas of his research. First, explaining how quantum entanglement is used to enhance the precision of atomic clocks. Next, exploring how the spring-like motion of ions can create exotic, nonclassical states of matter that behave in ways we never encounter in everyday life. Finally, he will discuss his work in quantum computing at Oxford Ionics—a spinout from the University of Oxford—where they’re working towards a practical quantum computer using ion-trap technology.

Dr Raghavendra Srinivas is a research fellow in the Department of Physics and Early Career Fellow in Physics at Balliol College, and also works part-time for Oxford Ionics.

His research focuses on using trapped ions for quantum information processing, quantum sensing and fundamental quantum optics.

Dr Srinivas was awarded Optica’s 2024 Theodor W Hänsch Prize in Quantum Optics, which recognizes impactful early career researchers working on optics-enabled quantum technologies.