Quantum 2.0: Dawn of Quantum Technology
Prof. Olivier Pfister
University of Virginia
Location: Dreese Lab 260
Faculty Hosts: Zeke Johnston-Halperin and Ron Reano
Abstract: While the first quantum revolution saw fundamental advances in quantum science (electrons in solids, interaction of matter with EM fields) yield breakthroughs in classical technology (transistor, laser, NMR/MRI), the second quantum revolution sees the coming of age of quantum technology, technology that obeys quantum rules. (An example is the use of quantum light to turn LIGO into a bona fide quantum sensor.) Inventing quantum technology will require mastering the transition from hero experiments in the protected environment of a discovery-based physics laboratory to practical, field-deployable quantum devices. Such advances require the full fledgling of the new field of quantum engineering, a hybrid of fundamental and applied science ripe with exciting technical and educational challenges, and a unique opportunity to explore new intellectual frontiers while building diverse quantum workforce and community of scholars. In this talk, I'll present my vision of the Quantum 2.0 landscape and of how a research university can lead in this transformational era.
Bio:
Olivier Pfister received the B.S. in Physics from Université de Nice, France, in 1987, and the M.S. and the Ph.D. in Physics from Université Paris-Nord, France, in 1989 and 1993. In 1994, he was a lecturer at INM, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, in Paris. He was then a research associate with John L. Hall at JILA, University of Colorado (1994-97) and with Daniel J. Gauthier at Duke University (1997-99). In 1999, he joined the faculty of the University of Virginia, where he is a professor of physics. Olivier Pfister is a fellow of the American Physical Society and a member of Optica, IEEE, and SPIE. His general research area is atomic, molecular, and optical physics, with past interests in quantum measurements at the ultimate precision, ultrahigh resolution laser spectroscopy, symmetry effects in small molecules, nonlinear optics for optical frequency chains, and two-photon lasers. His current research interest is quantum computing with light. He is a co-founder and CTO of quantum computing startup QC82, Inc.