I graduated in Physics in 2002 with Massimo Palma at the University of Palermo (Italy) working on the influence of classical noise on the Berry phase. I then started in 2003 my PhD in Physics at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa (Italy) under the supervision of Rosario Fazio.
At the beginning I worked on quantum information processing with spin networks. I devoted the second part of my PhD developing a time dependent density matrix renormalization group code (t-DMRG). It is freely distributed at this page. I used the code to study the superfluid-Mott insulator transition in one-dimensional spin-1 condensate and the dynamics of entanglement in critical spin chains.
After my PhD in 2006, I moved to BEC centre in Trento and worked mainly with Tommaso Calarco on implementation of quantum information processing with cold atoms. I particular we showed how the use of optimal control theory can enhance the fidelity of quantum gates with neutral atoms in optical lattices.
In 2007 I joined as a PostDoc the quantum optics group at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain) leaded by Giovanna Morigi where I worked on ion crystals and ultracold atoms in cavities.
In October 2009 I moved to Anna Sanpera's group at the quantum information group at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain). where I worked on spin chains and entanglement in one-dimensional systems.
In July 2011 I started as a Lecturer at the Queen's University of Belfast in the Quantum Technology group and then was promoted to Reader in 2020 and to Professor in 2024. In 2025 I moved as "Profesor Titular" at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, in the Quantum Information Group (GIQ).
Current position: Professor of Quantum Information
Short CV:
Degree: 2002, Degree with merits in Phyisics, with Prof. G. Massimo Palma University of Palermo; Diploma Thesis: Berry's phase in the presence of classical noise
PhD: 2003-2005 with Prof. Rosario Fazio, Scuola Normale Superiore
Dissertation: Quantum Information, Entanglement and Critical Phenomena (download it here)
2006-2007 PostDoc at CNR-INFM-BEC & Univ. di Trento with Tommaso Calarco
2007-2009 PostDoc at Grup d'Optica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona with Giovanna Morigi
2009-2011 PostDoc (Juan de la Cierva fellow) at Grup de Informació Quàntica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona with Anna Sanpera.
2011- 2020 Lecturer, Queen's University of Belfast
2020-2024 Reader, Queen's University Belfast
2024-2025 Professor, Queen's University Belfast
2025- Profesor Titular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
My Research
Statistical mechanics and Thermodynamics in the quantum regime
Quantum information processing
Condensed matter physics in low dimensional systems
Entanglement and quantum information in condensed matter physics
Density matrix renormalization group and tensor networks methods
Quantum optimal control
Quantum optics
Berry's phase and geometrical dephasing