Nicole Bell reflects on term as AIP president and future of physics
Professor Nicole Bell is the outgoing President of the Australian Institute of Physics, and the leader of the Theory Program of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics.
What does it mean that 2025 is the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology?
The United Nations has declared 2025 to be the International Year of Quantum Science of Technology, marking 100 years since the birth of modern quantum mechanics through the work of Heisenberg, Schrodinger and others.
The Australian Institute of Physics plans to use the Internation Year of Quantum to educate the public about quantum physics and inspire students to study science.
What is quantum mechanics?
Quantum mechanics is our best description of how the Universe works!
Quantum is sometimes presented as something that is mysterious or not well understood. But that’s not true. We don’t necessarily have good intuition about quantum physics, but we understand it perfectly well. In fact, we use technology based on quantum physics every day!
We all have an intuitive understanding of classical physics – of what happens, say, if you throw a tennis ball. But when we get down to microscopic sizes and start talking about electrons or photons, the laws of classical physics are no longer a good approximation, and we need quantum mechanics instead.
Our description of the fundamental particles and forces in the Universe is built on quantum mechanics (or, more precisely, quantum field theory) and we have tested that understanding to exquisite precision.
How does quantum science apply to dark matter research?
Like everything else in the Universe, dark matter particles and their interactions will be governed by quantum mechanics.
A feature of quantum mechanics is that the fundamental building blocks of nature have both particle-like and wave-like properties. This is true not only of electrons and photons, but also of dark matter. Depending on the mass of the dark matter particles, we use different types of experiments to look for their particle-like or wave-like properties.
Importantly, quantum mechanics is probabilistic. It allows us to calculate the probability that something will happen, rather than definite outcomes. For example, most dark matter particle will pass straight through our detectors without interacting. But there is a small probability that a dark matter particle will interact inside the detector on its way through, and we use quantum mechanics to calculate how big that probability is – i.e., the chance that we will see something.
Why do you think it is important to highlight quantum science and technology?
Quantum physics is the basis of a great deal of modern technology. Lasers, solar cells, MRI scanners, and much more. Technology that we all use and take for granted. Quantum physics is also driving the development of new technology such as quantum computers and quantum sensing.
What are your reflections on your time as AIP President? What were the highlights? Were there any changes/developments you would like to mention?
I consider the AIP to be a voice for the physics community in Australia. I am proud of our efforts to raise the profile of physics and the AIP, to promote the value of fundamental research, and to work in partnership with others in the STEM sector on issues of common. In the last few years the AIP has played a constructive role in conversations on changes at the ARC, the National Science Priorities, high school science and maths education and other topics.
What direction would you like the AIP and physics in Australia take in coming years?
To continue to advocate for the importance of fundamental research (such as the quest to understand dark matter!) as an important enabler of advances in science and technology more generally. Physics and astronomy are “gateway sciences” that inspire curiosity and attract students to study STEM – the majority of whom eventually go on to use their skills in a diverse range of industries. I’d also like to see the AIP expand efforts to connect with physicists working in industry and education.
What is next for your own research?
Figuring out what the dark matter is, of course!
I will be working on dark matter and neutrinos – topics which share many similarities and which lie at the particle-astrophysics frontier.
