QnA
How can one decide which subfield of Physics to pursue research in?
Soorya Rethinasamy: Every field has a roadmap. For example, you can find multiple blogs on the landscape of quantum computation on the net. Use that roadmap as reference and try adding elements of your own to make a roadmap for yourself. Navigate it and you’ll finally be able to eliminate certain options. Apart from that, I’d strongly suggest everyone to read books. Pick a section, do three chapters and finish it in 2-3 months. Repeat this process until you know your favorite field. Once you know which field interests you the most, approach a professor who’s been working in that field. For instance, Quantum- you can go to JN Bandyopadhyay or Biswanath Layek Astronomy, visit Astro- Kaushar Vaidya or RR Mishra Show them that you are actually interested in pursuing your field of choice and want to do a project under them. They can also suggest you to some other professor under whom you can continue if your intent is visible.
Read about Soorya Rethinasamy's journey here
Could you comment on the possible career options?
If the field is purely theoretical, then a tenure professor is your track. But if the field is application based, then you have a possibility to have a corporate life as well. For QC, after a Ph.D. you can join a company which is working on it. For example- Google needs physicists and if you have the requisite knowledge, they’ll hire you in a tick.
How can one begin quantum computing?
Go through the book- Schrodinger’s Killer App, Johnathan Dowling
How can one begin theoretical physics?
Sunny Guha: I highly recommend books by Ramamurti Shankar and JJ Sakurai. Go through Shankar’s book very well on each and every page. It's very important that you get your basics of quantum mechanics. Everything else, I swear it is a breeze. Go talk to professors and try to do projects. You're spending four or five years in BITS so make full use of the facilities.
Read about Sunny Guha's journey here