Introducing Basic Aspects of Quantum Physics through Cymatics

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

M. Weber Industrial Design Engineering

Contributors

J.D. Lomas Form and Experience (mentor)
A.J.C. van der Helm Codesigning Social Change (mentor)
Faculty
Industrial Design Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering
Copyright: © 2023 Martijn Weber
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Published Date

17-10-2023

Language

English

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Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Abstract

The market of quantum computing is growing rapidly due to the rising demand of high-performance computing. By combining quantum theory and computer science, quantum computing shows great promise for future application in fields like algorithms, cryptography, machine learning and quantum simulation. Current breakthroughs in quantum technology and rising investments in the quantum computing market indicate a high demand of quantum physicists over the coming decade.

Looking at projected future investments in the quantum computing market, the current state of the quantum technology education infrastructure and it’s foreseeable shortcoming in providing a sufficiently strong workforce to answer the industry’s expansion, it can be expected that quantum education will be pressurized to conform to big change to keep up with the industry.

The project aims to provide a solution that will help open ways to achieve maintaining the balance of education and industry that is needed within the quantum technology sector if the industry keeps expanding as it is currently. It hopes to deliver where currently is missing: an engaging way to interest our current youth in quantum technology before they reach university, in a way that motivates them to become one of the future quantum physicists that the industry will drastically need.

Currently basic aspects of quantum physics are difficult to convey to a younger generation in a compelling and engaging manner. This project aimed to introduce basic aspects of quantum physics through a science museum exhibit using cymatics, the study of visual wave phenomena. The wave-like characteristic found in both quantum physics and cymatics was the primary factor to investigate how cymatics could be used to introduce basic aspects of quantum physics to young future scientists through a science museum exhibit design. The modes of vibration in cymatics are called eigenmodes.

The final design is an exhibit design that uses these eigenmodes to simulate how quantum physicists work with their delicate and sensitive quantum systems. In the design the eigenmodes resemble the sensitivity of the qubits that these physicists work with.