Serge Haroche and David Wineland shared the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics for pioneering the coherent control of single quantum systems. Haroche’s work used photons in a single superconducting microwave cavity; Wineland’s  used one or more single trapped ions. Their work laid the foundations for a nascent quantum technology and provided experimental answers to foundational questions such as quantum measurement and decoherence. In this talk I will describe the science behind their key experiments and look forward to a future quantum technology based on coherent quantum control.

Afternoon tea will be served at 12:40 pm in the foyer of Parnell. All are welcome to attend.