TEDxWaterloo - Krister Shalm - Magic, Dance and Quantum Physics

Quantum physicist Krister Shalm uses swing dancers and a magician to illustrate the strangeness of quantum entanglement.

Never let it be said that physicists are boring. Or that they can't dance. Krister Shalm proves they aren't, and they can. He is a physicist who is using light to study the quantum world. As a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, Shalm is working to develop the technologies of tomorrow based on today's breakthroughs in quantum mechanics. While his work can seem mind boggling, Shalm has teamed up with a magician, musicians, entertainers, and dancers to make quantum concepts more approachable. An avid swing dancer, in his spare time Krister can be found Lindy Hopping to the tunes of the 20s, 30s and 40s.

In 2011, Physics World named the Double Slit Experiment, by Shalm and colleagues, as the top physics breakthrough of the year. His research has been published in top journals like Science and Nature, and he has been featured in the media on shows like CBC's Quirks & Quarks. He is known for his ability to explain complex ideas in clear, simple terms, and for his creativity in engaging the public with science.

Krister Shalm is a Junior Fellow with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research as well as a recipient of the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellow award.

For more about Krister, visit his website: http://www.quantumpie.com

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