A Quantum Mechanic

Hello there...

I am Titas Chanda, a theoretical physicist working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM). I work on various topics related to Quantum Many-Body Physics, Quantum Simulations with ultra-cold atoms, Quantum Information Science, and more (for more details on my work please visit the Research page or drop a short mail at titas.chanda [AT] physics.iitm.ac.in).

I am also the author of two open-source libraries:
(1) QIClib : A C++ library for general purpose quantum computing and quantum information.
(2) TenNetLib.jl : A tensor network library for quantum many-body problems.

Note: As I typically travel during semester breaks, I do not offer project internships to students from institutions outside IITM.

Recent News and Views...

08/08/2025: Fresh on arXiv, our papers on graviton modes on lattice and exotic emergent phases in 2D clock model.

This May, we posted two new papers on the arXiv, each tackling very different - but equally exciting - topics.

In "Chiral Gravitons on the Lattice" by Hernan B. Xavier, Zeno Bacciconi, Titas Chanda, Dam Thanh Son, and Marcello Dalmonte, we demonstrate that chiral graviton modes persist even away from the continuum limit. We present a concrete framework in which lattice analogues of chiral graviton operators are explicitly constructed within the paradigmatic bosonic Harper-Hofstadter model. Extensive numerical evidence supports the effectiveness of these operators in capturing the low-energy chiral graviton physics on the lattice.

In a distinct direction, "Two-dimensional J1-J2 Clock Model: A Cornucopia of Emergence" by Pulloor Kuttanikkad Vishnu, Abhishodh Prakash, Rajesh Narayanan, and Titas Chanda presents a detailed study of the frustrated classical J1-J2 q-state clock model on the square lattice. Beyond mapping out an intricate phase diagram, we uncover an unconventional form of emergence: a relevant operator in the infrared limit (in the RG sense) gives rise to discrete degrees of freedom that are forbidden by the macroscopic theory.

24/04/2025: Paper published in Physical Review X

We are delighted to share our paper has published in Physical Review X that presents the first comprehensive theoretical framework for the fractional quantum Hall effect in optical cavities, predicting exotic graviton-polaritons - hybrid light-matter quasiparticles arising from the coupling of cavity photons with emergent excitations in topological quantum matter. This study not only reconciles puzzling experimental results but also opens new directions for research in cavity quantum materials and advanced analogue quantum simulations.

11/11 - 15/11/2024: School and workshop in Thailand

The 2024's edition of the "Asian Network School and Workshop on Complex Condensed Matter Systems" took place from 11 Nov. to 15 Nov. in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. I gave a lecture on "Matrix-Product States for Quantum Many-Body Systems". The slides of the lecture can be found here.

23/07/2024: Moved to IIT Madras... A new journey starts...

I have relocated to the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) and joined the Department of Physics as an Assistant Professor.

17/07/2024: Fresh on arXiv, our paper on gapless deconfined phases in quasi-2D Z(N) Gauge theories.

Our article "Gapless deconfined phase in a $\mathbb{Z}_N$ symmetric Hamiltonian created in a cold-atom setup" by Mykhailo V. Rakov, Luca Tagliacozzo, Maciej Lewenstein, Jakub Zakrzewski, Titas Chanda is now available on arXiv.

In this paper, we investigate a quasi-two-dimensional system consisting of two species of alkali atoms confined in a specific optical lattice potential [Phys. Rev. A 95, 053608 (2017)]. In the low-energy regime, this system is governed by a unique Z(N) gauge theory, where field theory arguments have suggested that it may exhibit two exotic gapless deconfined phases, namely a dipolar liquid phase and a Bose liquid phase, along with two gapped (confined and deconfined) phases. We address these predictions numerically by using large-scale density matrix renormalization group simulations.

22/05/2024: Fresh on arXiv, our paper on coupling quantum light to fractional quantum Hall states

Our article "Theory of fractional quantum Hall liquids coupled to quantum light and emergent graviton-polaritons" by Zeno Bacciconi, Hernan Xavier, Iacopo Carusotto, Titas Chanda, Marcello Dalmonte is now available on arXiv.

In this paper, combining analytical arguments with tensor network simulations, we study the dynamics of a ν=1/3 Laughlin state in a single-mode cavity with finite electric field gradients. By exploring the low-energy excited spectrum inside the FQH phase, we identify a new quasiparticle, the graviton-polariton, arising from the hybridization between quadrupolar FQH collective excitations (known as gravitons) and light.

13/05/2024: Fresh on arXiv, review on quantum simulations of non-standard Bose-Hubbard models

Our review article on "Recent progress on quantum simulations of non-standard Bose-Hubbard models" by Titas Chanda, Luca Barbiero, Maciej Lewenstein, Manfred J. Mark, Jakub Zakrzewski is now available on arXiv.

In this review, we aim to provide an exposition to recent advancements in quantum simulations of such systems, modeled by different "non-standard" Bose-Hubbard models, focusing primarily on long-range systems with dipole-dipole or cavity-mediated interactions.

20/02 - 22/02/2024: Workshop on Quantum Simulators of the Future: From Dynamical Gauge Fields to Lattice Gauge Theories @ ICTP

The workshop has gathered world-leading groups that design, realize, and characterize a new generation of simulators with ultracold atoms and beyond. It has addressed novel quantum simulators of statistical gauge fields, dynamical lattices, and lattice gauge theory models (LGT), as well as connections to quantum computing and tensor network methods.

https://indico.ictp.it/event/10460/overview

In this workshop, I have delivered a talk on "Emergence of global symmetries in Rydberg quantum simulators".

28/01/2024: PhD Positions at IIT Indore (Deadline 10/03/2024)

The Department of Physics at IIT Indore has initiated the admission process for our Ph.D. Program (spring round 2024). This time, we are actively seeking young and motivated Ph.D. candidate(s) to explore the area of "quantum simulations and tensor network methods for many-body physics" under my supervision.

For further details, please refer to the institute advertisement here: Link to Institute Ad
Here is the departmental advertisement: Link to Departmental Ad

Please note the following key dates:
Application Deadline: 10th March 2024

02/01/2024: Publication in Physical Review B

Our paper "Spectral properties of the critical (1+1)-dimensional Abelian-Higgs model" by Titas Chanda, Marcello Dalmonte, Maciej Lewenstein, Jakub Zakrzewski, and Luca Tagliacozzo has been published in Physical Review B.

30/12/2023: Introducing TenNetLib.jl

Excited to introduce TenNetLib.jl, a tensor network library built on top of ITensors.jl for quantum many-body problems. TenNetLib.jl features widely-used tensor network codes, designed with a multi-layered abstraction to cater to diverse user needs. The library provides users with varying levels of control over their computations. Currently, TenNetLib.jl presents an array of functionalities for:
(a) Finite-size Matrix-Product States (MPS): Different variants of Density Matrix Renormalization Group (DMRG) and Time Dependent Variational Principle (TDVP) (including subspace expansion) methods.
(b) Tree Tensor Network (TTN): Variational search for the ground state and first few excited states.

The source code for TenNetLib.jl can be found on GitHub.
The documentation for TenNetLib.jl can be found here.

04/12 - 10/12/2023: QIPA-23 @ HRI

The 6th iteration of QIPA (A meeting on Quantum Information Processing and Applications) was held at Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI), Prayagraj, India. Physiscists working on various fields related to quantum information, quantum computation, quantum many-body physics etc. from all over the world participated in the event.

In the event, I delivered a talk on "Quantifying quantum magic in many-body systems". The slides of the talk can be found here.

02/11 - 04/11/2023: Emerging Topics in Quantum Technology (ETQT-2023) @ IIT Palakkad

The Department of Physics at IIT Palakkad organized a three-day meeting focused on "Emerging Topics in Quantum Technology (ETQT-2023)". The event witnessed the participation of 15 esteemed expert speakers and over 50 physicists from higher education institutions across the country.

In the event, I delivered a talk on "Emerging non-Abelian SU(2) symmetry in Rydberg quantum simulators".

31/10/2023: PhD Positions at IIT Indore (Deadline 15/11/2023)

The Department of Physics at IIT Indore has initiated the admission process for our Ph.D. Program (autumn round 2023). This time, we are actively seeking young and motivated Ph.D. candidate(s) to explore the area of "quantum simulations and tensor network methods for many-body physics" under my supervision.

For further details, please refer to the institute advertisement here: Link to Institute Ad
Here is the departmental advertisement: Link to Departmental Ad

Please note the following key dates:
Application Deadline: 15th November 2023
Offline Interview: 28th November 2023

26/10/2023: Publication in in PRX Quantum.

Our paper "Many-body magic via Pauli-Markov chains - from criticality to gauge theories" by Poetri Sonya Tarabunga, Emanuele Tirrito, Titas Chanda, and Marcello Dalmonte has been published in PRX Quantum.

21/08/2023: Publication in Physical Review B.

Our paper "Emergence of non-Abelian SU(2) invariance in Abelian frustrated fermionic ladders" by Bachana Beradze, Mikheil Tsitsishvili, Emanuele Tirrito, Marcello Dalmonte, Titas Chanda, and Alexander Nersesyan is now available in Physical Review B.

07/08/2023: Publication in Physical Review B.

Our paper "Classification and emergence of quantum spin liquids in chiral Rydberg models" by Poetri Sonya Tarabunga, Giuliano Giudici, Titas Chanda, and Marcello Dalmonte is now available in Physical Review B.

04/08/2023: IIT Indore gets new faculty member.

I have joined the Department of Physics at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore as an Assistant Professor. Looking forward for a new beginning.

20/07/2023: Paper Accepted in SciPost Physics.

Our paper "First-order photon condensation in magnetic cavities: A two-leg ladder model" by Zeno Bacciconi, Gian Marcello Andolina, Titas Chanda, Giuliano Chiriacò, Marco Schiró, and Marcello Dalmonte has been accepted in SciPost Physics.

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