The group photo taken at the Quantum Light Conference hosted by JILA in July 2024
JILA, a joint institute of the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) hosted its inaugural workshop on recent technological and research advancements in quantum light from July 17 to 19, 2024. The conference was sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded JILA Physics Frontier Center (PFC), the CUbit Quantum Initiative, and laser company Toptica.
The event invited speakers from various prestigious institutions, including Texas A&M University, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Columbia University, Wake Forest University, Livermore National Lab, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Caltech, Oak Ridge National Lab, Cornell University, William & Mary, University College London, the University of Oregon, the University of Toronto, and the University of Virginia, along with multiple representatives from NIST.
The conference was dedicated to recent advancements in the field of quantum light, particularly in nonlinear optics, integrated photonics, and materials synthesis. These fields of physics have significantly contributed to our ability to generate various quantum states of light. The workshop also highlighted the innovative applications of these advancements in imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy.
"I'm really excited about this workshop as it brings people working on quantum light generation with people thinking about metrology applications with quantum light, we hope that the workshop could seed many fruitful science discussions!” Stated JILA Associate Fellow and University of Colorado Boulder Assistant Professor of Physics Shuo Sun, one of the conference organizers.
The workshop brought together leading experts and researchers from diverse fields, such as nonlinear photonics, quantum optics, single-photon detectors, and chemical physics. The aim was to foster a collaborative community to discuss these transformative advancements and implement the use of quantum light in physics, chemistry, and biology. The conference included afternoon poster sessions, allowing graduate students time to present their research to senior researchers, and laboratory tours for visitors to learn more about the innovative quantum research happening at JILA.
This gathering marked a significant step towards harnessing the full potential of quantum light in various scientific domains.
Written by Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, JILA Science Communicator
The Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program supports university-based centers and institutes where the collective efforts of a larger group of individuals can enable transformational advances in the most promising research areas. The program is designed to foster major breakthroughs at the intellectual frontiers of physics by providing needed resources such as combinations of talents, skills, disciplines, and/or specialized infrastructure, not usually available to individual investigators or small groups, in an environment in which the collective efforts of the larger group can be shown to be seminal to promoting significant progress in the science and the education of students. PFCs also include creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented groups, and outreach to the scientific community and general public.