Joao Henrique Oliveira Fontes

Joao, please tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and now I'm a fourth-year Physics student at the University of Chicago. I have interest in broad areas of theoretical and mathematical physics, with focus on quantum computing. Other than physics, some of my interests are linguistics and music.

Thanks. can you tell us a bit about your IRTE research experience?

I worked on a few different topics over the summer, mostly in the area of quantum gate optimization methods, but the main project consisted in speeding up the calibration process of a two-qubit entangling gate for trapped-ion devices. I worked on theoretical models and simulation in Aachen, and I had the chance to implement my work on an actual trapped-ion quantum computer at a partner group in Mainz.

You lived in Aachen for 12 weeks. Tell us about the laboratory and your experience living in Aachen?

I actually lived in Aachen for 15 weeks. I was well received by the lab group, they showed me several places in the city and I learned a lot of physics from them as well. Living in Aachen was probably one of the best experiences I've had - it is small enough so that you can get anywhere in 20 minutes, but at the same time it's a lively city where you can find everything you need. There's a big international community in Aachen, and overall, it's a place that makes you feel like home after very little time. I will definitely spend some time there again when I have the chance.

Please tell us about your weekend travel experiences.

The weekend trips were the best! I went to Liège, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Köln, Frankfurt, Maastricht, Hague, Amsterdam - I even learned to speak some Dutch. But the best by far was my weekend trip to Nice and Monaco - it was probably the most beautiful place I had ever been to, and I got the chance to go to the beach a few times. Aachen is in a very convenient location for weekend trips.

Can you share any overall impressions of your experience?

The best. I loved it. Aachen was a very convenient city to live in, I had easy access to everything I needed or wanted. It was a great experience for me to be in a theoretical physics group. I've expanded my notions of quantum information science a lot over the summer. My German is better now, and I strongly consider doing my graduate studies in Germany now.