Prof Rainer Dumke
Cold Atom Quantum Sensors
Appointments
Associate Professor, School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences - Division of Physics & Applied Physics, NTU
Assistant Chair (Facilities, IT, Safety & Health), School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, NTU
Associate Professor, Centre for Quantum Technologies @ NUS
Deputy Director, Centre for Quantum Technologies @ NTU
Principal Investigator, Quantum Sensing Centre
Bio
Associate Professor Rainer Dumke is a distinguished physicist and faculty member at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore since 2006. He also serves as a Principal Investigator at the Centre for Quantum Technologies. Prof Rainer's research centers on quantum circuits and sensors, focusing on the hybridization of atomic and superconducting technologies for quantum computing applications.
His work spans a broad spectrum of quantum physics applications. He has been instrumental in developing ultra-precise atomic magnetometry for advanced sensing technologies and creating portable atom interferometers for measuring local gravity, contributing to geophysical advancements. Prof Rainer has significantly impacted atom optics through microfabricated optical elements, enhancing the manipulation of atomic particles. He studied the formation of Rydberg atoms in expanding ultracold neutral plasmas, crucial for understanding strong interactions in quantum systems. His research also extends to superfluid qubit systems with ring-shaped optical lattices, which hold promise for quantum information processing.
Prof Rainer earned his PhD from Leibniz University Hanover, Germany, in 2003. His postdoctoral work includes positions at prestigious institutions such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the USA and the Max Planck Institute for Light in Germany. In recognition of his academic excellence, he received the Feodor-Lynen Fellowship from the Humboldt Foundation in 2003.
Notably, Prof Rainer's team demonstrated the fusion of tardigrades—a resilient micro-animal—with superconducting qubits, bridging quantum physics and biology. In 2019, he was awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in Biology for his research on the magnetic properties of cockroaches, highlighting his unique blend of rigorous inquiry and unconventional experimentation.
With a career marked by significant contributions to quantum physics and innovative research, Rainer Dumke continues to be a leading figure in his field, inspiring both his peers and the next generation of scientists.