PhD Candidate in Physics (Kent State University, expected 2026)
Theoretical (Phenomenological) High-Energy Physics or Nuclear Physics • Heavy Ion Physics • Heavy Flavor Production and Modification in Heavy Ion Collisions and Small Collisions in LHC AND RHIC • Quarkonium Transport in QGP • Open Quantum Systems • Quantum Computing
I’m a physics PhD candidate studying the transport, suppression, and regeneration of quarkonia (especially bottomonium/charmonium) in the quark–gluon plasma (QGP) formed in high-energy nuclear collisions like in Large Hadron Colliders (LHC) in CERN or Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at New York, USA. My work uses both semi-classical transport / kinetic approaches and quantum approach like open quantum systems (OQS) methods (Lindblad evolution as a quantum-transport description), as part of the HEFTY Collaboration.
In parallel, I’m interested in quantum computing for high-energy physics, especially quantum algorithms for lattice gauge theories and longer-term directions like real-time dynamics and scattering, where classical approaches (lattice QCD) face major limitations.
I’m also learning AI/ML and exploring how it can support scientific workflows (HEP now; broader domains like medicine/healthcare).
- Quarkonium transport in QGP: suppression and phenomenology in (p)–Pb and (AA) collisions (RHIC/LHC).
- Quantum Transport: Using Open Quantum Systems (coupled to pNRQCD), Lindblad-based real-time evolution for heavy quarkonium in hot nuclear matter.
- Semi-classical modeling: kinetic-rate / transport frameworks (semiclassical with rates computed from perturbative or non-perturbative ways).
- Quantum computing for HEP: lattice gauge theory workflows (state preparation, adiabatic, variational methods, benchmarking), scattering experiments (real-time dynamics).
- Scientific computing & reproducibility: simulation pipelines, analysis, plotting, and version-controlled research code.
- Semiclassical treatment of bottomonium suppression and regeneration in (p+{\rm Pb}) collisions — arXiv:2510.03456 (2025)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.03456 - Bottomonium suppression in 5.02 and 8.16 TeV (p)–Pb collisions — Phys. Rev. D 109, 096016 (2024)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.109.096016 - Transverse momentum dependent feed-down fractions for bottomonium production — Phys. Rev. D 108, 094024 (2023)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.108.094024 - Bottomonium suppression at RHIC and LHC in an open quantum system approach — Phys. Rev. D 108, 014031 (2023)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.108.014031 - QTRAJ 1.0: A Lindblad equation solver for heavy-quarkonium dynamics — Comput. Phys. Commun. 273 (2022)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpc.2021.108262
🔎 Author profile / papers: https://inspirehep.net/authors/1635423
Languages: Python • C++ • Mathematica • (some) MATLAB
Quantum: Qiskit • variational / state-prep workflows
Workflow: Linux • Git • reproducible numerics • analysis & visualization
- IBM Certified Associate Qiskit Developer (IBM Quantum Challenge 2024)
- Global Quantum Scholarship (QWorld, 2023)
- Graduate Student Senate Research Award (~$2000) — quantum algorithms for HEP / SU(2) LGT project
- Coordinator, QNepal (QWorld community) — quantum outreach & workforce development
- Email: sthapa3@kent.edu
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinthapa/
- GitHub: https://github.com/sabinthapa100
- GitLab: https://gitlab.com/sabinthapa100
- Kent State profile: https://www.kent.edu/physics/sabin-thapa