Lowlands visitors will teach scientists more about quantum mechanics
Goldband, Skrillex, Róisín Murphy and... quantum: the latter may not be a band but is part of the Lowlands line-up nonetheless. Scientists from Leiden University are using the festival for research on the very smallest particles.
Whereas most festivalgoers will visit Lowlands for the music, dance and other arts, science has become a popular fixture at one of the biggest festivals in the Netherlands. For PhD candidate Vincent Koemans, Lowlands is the perfect platform to help him understand how to improve communication on quantum mechanics and technology.
Double-slit experiment and Schrödinger’s cat
‘We are putting on an exhibition at Lowlands that teaches visitors about all quantum. It consists of information panels but there are also things for festivalgoers to do’, says Koeman. For example, a computer simulation of the double-slit experiment demonstrating how light behaves sometimes as a particle and sometimes as a wave. Visitors can also experience the Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment.
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An interactive display about Schrödinger’s cat -
A visitor learns more about the difference between digital and quantum -
Vincent Koeman with the exhibition
Questionnaires
For his part, Koeman hopes to learn more about how the exhibition changes people’s perceptions of quantum mechanics and technology. They will therefore fill in a questionnaire before and after viewing the exhibition. ‘We ask about the impact of quantum on society, for example: whether they think quantum will help the world or are concerned about what it will mean in the future.’
The completed questionnaires will provide insight into how best to communicate about quantum and the new technologies it will bring. ‘As researchers, we agree that quantum mechanics will have a tremendous impact, now and in the future. Once people become more interested and want to know more about a certain technology, acceptance for it increases, making its introduction easier’, says Koeman.
Public concerns
‘The conversation about quantum will also ensure certain public concerns come to light, which means consideration can already be given to whether legislation is needed. The public, as can be found at Lowlands, may have great ideas about quantum that we scientists can learn from.’
Koeman is looking forward to his very first Lowlands. ‘I’ve never been before so have yet to discover what kind of audience the exhibition will attract. I think festivalgoers are generally open-minded and looking for new experiences, and those are what we are offering. If you’ve had enough of all the sights and sounds of the festival, we are offering a calm space to chill out in and where you get to learn about quantum in just under 20 minutes.’
‘How cool would it be to see half of Lowlands wearing a Schrödinger’s cat badge’
Koeman and his colleagues will be recruiting as many festivalgoers for their research as possible and are therefore working on merchandise. ‘I hope to get my enthusiasm for quantum across to as many people as possible. How cool would it be to see half of Lowlands wearing a Schrödinger’s cat badge.’
The exhibition about quantum can already be seen at the BplusC public library on Nieuwstraat in Leiden, where it will remain until 14 August. Vincent Koeman is conducting his research in collaboration with Quantum Delta NL, a hub for researchers, businesses and other organisations that deal with quantum.