Wilczek in Stockholm
Updated: Aug 29
Frank spends several months a year based in Stockholm, where he is Professor at Stockholm University and at Nordita. His activity in Sweden is supported by the generous grants from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Swedish Research Council (VR) and the European Research Council (ERC).
Frank supports young researchers whose interests overlap with his. There are active plans, in particular, for a major initiative in axion physics.
The annual “Summer Quantum Connections in Sweden” conference is supported by the generous grants from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, which brings together leading scientists from around the world to discuss cutting-edge progress in quantum information theory, quantum optics, cold atoms and condensed matter.
Frank has helped to organize several Nobel Symposia, and participated in Nobel Week Dialogues. He is on the Science Advisory Board of the Wallenberg Foundation, and is active in the Tycho Brahe Foundation. He is also a member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Kungl.Vetenskaps. Akademien)
The Nobel laureate who got hooked on Stockholm (Read more here...)
It's easy childhood interest in mathematics and technology took Frank Wilczek all the way to a Nobel Prize. Now spends a large fraction of his time in Sweden where, among other pursuits, he is trying to crack the secret of dark matter.
His 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics made Frank Wilczek one of the most recognized researchers in the world, even outside of his field. Now spends a large fraction of his time as professor in theoretical physicist at Stockholm University at the Department of Physics and the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics. The position, made possible by a grant from the Swedish Research Council, makes it possible for him to spend a considerable part of his time at Stockholm University.
Attractive research environment - and city.
Frank Wilczek likes the environment of the Department of physics and Stockholm in general.
“The Albanova building is extremely attractive, that’s a pleasure to inhabit.”
There are several groups of interest to him (e.g. cosmology, condensed matter) which have regular informal meetings, journal clubs, and seminar series.
“Nearby is Nordita, where I’ve also got an office. It has lots of high-level scientific activity.”
He also appreciates that the university is a green space in the city.
The couple live in Östermalm within walking distance of his job. “I’ve got to get my 10,000 steps a day! And it’s so near the amusement park Gröna Lund that I’ve been able to go there several times.”
Axions - what “dark matter” is made of?
There are three major areas of research that Frank Wilczek will focus on when he is in Stockholm. Anyons are a new kind of emergent particle, realized within suitable materials, that may soon support new kinds of devices, including quantum computers. He is thinking about new ways to create anyons, and new ways to use them. Axions, on the other hand, may well be what that “dark matter” is made of.
He is hoping to refine the theoretical understanding of axions and their role in cosmology, and to facilitate their experimental exploration. (Frank Wilczek named both anyons and axions, and pioneered these subjects, which have become significant branches of physics.) He is also exploring the peculiarities that quantum theory introduces into the notion of time and history, and methods to make those aspects useful. Other important tasks will be to organise conferences and workshops and inviting international researchers. Additionally, he will work with larger research applications and participate in research seminars and lectures series on theoretical physics.
Magic show Nordita Themed dinner Welcome dinner Welcome dinner Themed dinner by Betsy Devine at the
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