Marien Raat wins Vliegenthart Thesis Award 2023

Marien Raat wins the 2023 Vliegenthart Thesis Award with his master's thesis. He wrote his combined master's thesis called Computation in Nested Closed Timelike Curves for the History and Philosophy of Science and Computing Science master's programs.

Computation in Nested Closed Timelike Curves

Described as a genius in his field, Marien's thesis addresses the problem Turing once described: The computational power of computers is finite and stops at the halfway point. A problem so hard to compute that computers simply have no capacity left for it, let alone for even more complex problems. However, Marien argues that with current knowledge, including quantum mechanics and time loops, it may still be possible to expand the computing power of computers and have them compute more difficult - previously unsolvable - problems, thus proving Turing wrong. To do this, you need well-placed time loops that free up space in the computer at exactly the right time. The thesis is described as precise, incisive and clear, as is the lecture summary that makes it possible for almost anyone to understand the basis of his thesis, and touches on a problem that has been cracking brains for some time: can we break through the apparent limits of computational power that currently grips computers?

Jury Verdict

All master's theses in the field of Natural Sciences that competed for the Vliegenthart thesis prize this year were judged by the jury to be excellent and outstanding. Marien Raat's research, with which he graduated cum laude and, according to his thesis supervisors, produced a brilliant piece of work, stands out for two specific reasons.

First, for his research, Marien identified a gap in the argumentation of a previously published article and sought contact with the authors to discuss how this gap could be bridged. Second, the thesis addresses a very fundamental problem and offers a fresh perspective on the topic from different perspectives of physics, computer science and philosophy.

Through this approach and elaboration, Marien demonstrates two skills vital to a healthy and forward-looking research culture: initiating open and critical discussion of the limitations of our work and that of others, and creating familiar spaces to explore intersections of different disciplines in order to work on difficult fundamental problems for which immediate application is not obvious. An admirable achievement for such a young researcher for which the jury warmly congratulates him.