How to tune into the quantum field?

Choosing a research interest for grad school admission in physics: Quantum Information or Quantum Field Theory?

• I have a great deal of interest in both Quantum Information and Quantum Field Theory. I have done a couple of research projects/internships in QInfo and would love to go into this field in grad school. But,  I'd also like to try out QFT as a research option. Is it wise to do some research in QFT with my remaining time as an undergrad (given that the field is quite crowded and hence difficulty in getting a top grad school admit in this field) ? Or could I just do that once I get an admit to a grad school (presumably in Qinfo and then taking courses/doing research in QFT) ?

• Answer:

  Quantum Field Theory is not a field, it is a method that is used in many fields: condensed matter physics, string theory, high energy physics and particle physics, and probably several others.  As such, few if any do research in quantum field theory per se, but in these other disciplines and extensively use quantum field theory in their research. Quantum Information is a specific field that is a relatively small niche inside of physics as a whole.  As such, relatively few departments have groups that perform research in quantum information.  A lot of AMO (atomic molecular and optical physics) is building towards being able to use the results of quantum information.  AMO is mostly an experimental driven field, meaning that your ability to make experiments happen is key (i.e. your knowledge of epoxy is really useful). So I can't answer the question for you because it's like asking to compare an apple pie to an orange grove (don't ask me which is which in this analogy).  All I can do is recommend that you learn more about research topics in physics. I can point out, that in a typical department, there will be roughly 20% of the faculty that use quantum field theory regularly and between 0% and 3% that do quantum information.  As such, you may be competing against more people in "quantum field theory" than in "quantum information" but there are more positions.