Consciousness & Reality (C&R) Colloquium 2024-25 Series: QUANTUM PROCESSING IN THE BRAIN?
Consciousness & Reality (C&R) Colloquium 2024-25 Series
QUANTUM PROCESSING IN THE BRAIN?
Wednesday, February 12th, 10 a.m. Pacific Time
Online-only event. Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/99505485799?pwd=fYOUh2gCTEuDgP8JlEq3ey2dvTr9Ip.1
MATTHEW FISHER
Professor of Physics, University of California Santa Barbara
The endeavor to construct a laboratory quantum computer has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar undertaking. However, an intriguing question arises: could we ourselves be quantum computers? While maintaining quantum coherence on macroscopic time scales is exceedingly unlikely in the warm wet brain, there is one exception: Nuclear spins. Our strategy is one of reverse engineering, seeking to pinpoint the biochemical substrate and mechanisms that might underpin the hypothetical quantum processing involving nuclear spins. Seemingly, a specific neural qubit and a unique collection of ions, molecules and organelles can be identified. I will present an overview of our (largely experimental) ongoing efforts to delve into this captivating realm of exploration.
ABOUT THE EVENT
This lecture will be accessible to an interdisciplinary audience. Caltech, Stanford, MIT, IMICS, Berkeley and University of Arizona members from all divisions are welcome to join. Select questions from the Q&A window will be answered after the lecture.
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Consciousness & Reality colloquium series promotes interdisciplinary investigations on mind, cognition, consciousness, and the nature of reality.