Slovenian physicist wins prestigious ERC Advanced Grant

Marko Žnidarič, a professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of the University of Ljubljana, has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant for his research project titled NUMBS—Effective Non-Unitarity in Many-Body Systems. This grant marks a significant milestone in Žnidarič’s career and highlights the growing prominence of the University of Ljubljana as a hub for cutting-edge scientific research. The ERC Advanced Grant is one of the most prestigious forms of funding available to established researchers in Europe, and Žnidarič’s success underscores the quality of research being conducted at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics.

This year’s call for ERC Advanced Grants saw a record number of applications—over 3,329—from around the world, representing a 31% increase compared to the previous year. Out of these, 319 projects were selected for funding, with a total budget of 838 million euros allocated across Europe. These grants support leading scientists working on innovative and impactful research topics, and the competition was particularly fierce, with only about 9.6% of submitted proposals receiving approval. The funded researchers come from 33 different countries, reflecting the international nature of the program and the diversity of research being pursued under the Horizon Europe initiative.

Žnidarič’s project aims to address a critical challenge in modern quantum physics: understanding the behavior of highly complex systems made up of numerous interacting particles. As he explained, the complexity of such systems increases exponentially with the number of particles and the duration of observation. Traditional methods struggle to capture all the intricate details of these systems, making it difficult to study their properties accurately. However, Žnidarič’s approach focuses on identifying and analyzing only the essential characteristics of these systems, such as temperature, rather than tracking each particle individually. This shift allows researchers to develop a more manageable and practical framework for studying quantum phenomena without losing sight of the broader picture.

The concept behind the project is not entirely new—it dates back roughly four decades—but recent advancements within Žnidarič’s research team have shown promising ways to implement this idea effectively. His work draws upon mathematical concepts that are less commonly applied in physics, suggesting potential interdisciplinary breakthroughs. If successful, the project could lead to the development of a novel methodology for examining complex quantum systems and provide new insights into quantifying chaos in multi-particle quantum systems. Such developments would be crucial for advancing the field of quantum computing, where managing and interpreting complex interactions between qubits remains a major technical hurdle.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at the University of Ljubljana now hosts seven ERC-funded projects, making it the sole academic institution in Slovenia to achieve this distinction. This accomplishment reflects not only the individual brilliance of researchers like Žnidarič but also the supportive infrastructure and collaborative environment fostered by the faculty. Tomaž Prosen, who leads the laboratory where Žnidarič conducts his research, emphasized the significance of Žnidarič’s award. He noted that Žnidarič has long been developing innovative methodologies that have become integral tools in the rapidly evolving field of quantum physics. With the recognition from the ERC, Žnidarič’s work is poised to make even greater contributions to the scientific community and the technological landscape of the future.

As the project moves forward, it will likely involve close collaboration between physicists, mathematicians, and computer scientists. The outcomes of this research could influence multiple disciplines, including condensed matter physics, quantum information science, and computational modeling. Researchers anticipate that the findings from the NUMBS project will open new avenues for exploring the interplay between order and chaos in quantum systems, potentially leading to improved models for simulating complex physical processes. Given the increasing importance of quantum technologies, the implications of Žnidarič’s work extend beyond academia, offering practical benefits for industries seeking to harness the power of quantum mechanics.