THEORETICAL PHYSICIST · LEIDEN UNIVERSITY

Jinfu Chen

Understand control and optimize
quantum systems

Exploring the correlations, dynamics, and thermodynamic limits that make the quantum world different.

Explore my work Google Scholar

EXPLORE RESEARCH

Quantum thermodynamics
Finite-time & stochastic
Nonlocality & many-body

01 / RESEARCH

Small systems
Fundamental questions

From the limits of classical correlations to faster thermalization and more efficient control, I study what quantum systems can do, and how to make them do it.

01Quantum thermodynamics How can we control quantum dynamics and prepare useful states?

I study quantum heat engines, thermalization, state preparation, and monitored transport. Geometric and spectral methods connect thermodynamic performance with the control of quantum dynamics.

02Finite-time and stochastic thermodynamics What sets the cost and fluctuations of fast processes?

Thermodynamic geometry, optimal control, and fluctuation relations reveal the energetic cost of finite-time processes, from Brownian heat engines and membrane separation to quantum work and heat statistics.

03Quantum nonlocality and many-body systems How can we prepare and certify quantum many-body states?

I use symmetry, spectral-gap optimization, and Lindblad dynamics to prepare and control many-body states. Multipartite Bell inequalities provide tests and certification of correlations beyond classical physics.

02 / SELECTED WORKS

Selected Works

All selected works

012026

ARTICLEPhysical Review B

Boosting thermalization of classical and quantum many-body systems

J. F. Chen, K. S. Rai, P. Emonts, D. Farina, M. Plodzien, P. Grzybowski, et al.

Designing the coupling to an environment offers a way to prepare many-body thermal states faster while preserving the target equilibrium state.

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022025

PREPRINTarXiv

Optimizing quantum violation for multipartite facet Bell inequalities

J. F. Chen, M. Hu, and J. Tura

Systematic optimization helps identify multipartite Bell tests with stronger quantum violations, supporting the search for experimentally useful nonlocality witnesses.

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032025

ARTICLEPhysical Review Letters

Spectral gap optimization for enhanced adiabatic state preparation

K. S. Rai, J. F. Chen, P. Emonts, and J. Tura

Optimizing spectral gaps along a preparation path helps reduce the bottlenecks that make adiabatic quantum-state preparation slow.

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042023

ARTICLEPRX Energy

Geodesic lower bound of the energy consumption to achieve membrane separation within finite time

J. F. Chen, R. X. Zhai, C. P. Sun, and H. Dong

A geometric bound quantifies the extra energy needed for fast membrane separation and identifies paths that reduce that cost.

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03 / ABOUT ME

A geometric perspective
on the quantum world

I am a postdoctoral researcher at Leiden University’s Lorentz Institute, working with Jordi Tura. My research connects quantum information, nonequilibrium statistical physics, and optimal control.

My path began with physics and mathematics at Peking University, followed by a Ph.D. at the Beijing Computational Science Research Center and postdoctoral research with H. T. Quan at Peking University.

Academic background & CV

04 / PRESENTATIONS