The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation has awarded Nordita a grant of 95 million SEK in order, over a period of six years, though with a possible additional 80 million SEK over four years, to set up two research groups as part of the programme “Computation for physics, physics for computation”. One of the groups is to focus on quantum information and quantum computation, while the other will be working on complex dynamic networks. Frank Wilczek, the winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize in physics and a professor at Stockholm University, was the principal applicant.
Additional contribution by the foundation
The award from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation comes as an additional contribution in the field of theoretical physics to the strategic contributions already made by the foundation in the fields of artificial intelligence (WASP) and quantum technology (WACQT). Nordita’s internationally strong position in theoretical physics can now be exploited to further strengthen the position of Sweden in its aim to take its place at the forefront internationally of research into quantum computers and artificial intelligence.
Among other things, quantum information and quantum computing deal with programming the computers of the future and how they will communicate and be programmed – in purely physical terms:where the information will be stored and how it can be safeguarded from disruption. Examples of complex dynamic networks are the neural networks in our own brains and the artificial neural networks that form the basis for modern artificial intelligence, as well as various types of social networks. These two scientific fields are among the most rapidly growing areas within theoretical physics.
Nordita
Nordita is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Swedish Research Council, Uppsala University and the two host universities, the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University. In organisational terms it is part of Stockholm University.