Colloquium
The laser and quantum physics
Abstract
Exactly a hundred years ago, in January 1926, Schrödinger established the famous equation bearing his name which marked the birth of quantum physics. Among all the inventions born of this physics, the laser occupies an important place, both for the rich history of discoveries that led to its birth, and for the role it plays today in fundamental and applied research. This history began at the time of the “old quantum theory” with Einstein's discovery of stimulated emission in 1916 and Stern's discovery of the spatial quantization of the atomic angular momentum in 1922. Nuclear magnetic resonance (1945), optical pumping (1952), atomic clocks and the maser (1954) followed, leading in 1960 to the invention of the laser. This extraordinary light source plays an essential role in many modern technologies. It has also opened up fields of research in blue sky science that could not have been imagined at the time of its birth. We owe to it the cooling and trapping of atoms, the study of quantum gases of bosons and fermions, the discovery of gravitational waves and the manipulation of individual quantum particles, which has led to current research into quantum simulation and quantum computing. The laser may also provide answers to fundamental questions about the link between quantum physics and gravitation, or about the nature of the hypothetical dark matter. The rich history of the laser is a vivid illustration of the close link between fundamental research and technology.
About the talk
Collège de France
iCalendar ated emission in 1916 and Stern's discovery of the spatial quantization of the atomic angular momentum in 1922. Nuclear magnetic resonance (1945), optical pumping (1952), atomic clocks and the maser (1954) followed, leading in 1960 to the invention of the laser. This extraordinary light source plays an essential role in many modern technologies. It has also opened up fields of research in blue sky science that could not have been imagined at the time of its birth. We owe to it the cooling and trapping of atoms, the study of quantum gases of bosons and fermions, the discovery of gravitational waves and the manipulation of individual quantum particles, which has led to current research into quantum simulation and quantum computing. The laser may also provide answers to fundamental questions about the link between quantum physics and gravitation, or about the nature of the hypothetical dark matter. The rich history of the laser is a vivid illustration of the close link between fundamental research and technology.&location=&trp=false&ctz=Atlantic/Canary' target='_blank' rel='nofollow' class='btn btn-primary btn-sm text-light' title='Export to Google Calendar'> Google Calendar
About the speaker
Serge Haroche is a French physicist known for his pioneering work in quantum physics, particularly in the study of the interaction between light and matter at the level of individual particles. He began his research career at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and later became a professor at Pierre and Marie Curie University. Over the years, he also held teaching and research positions at leading institutions such as École Polytechnique, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and Yale University. Haroche later became head of the Physics Department at the École Normale Supérieure and, since 2001, has been a professor at the Collège de France, where he holds the Chair of Quantum Physics.
In 2012, Haroche was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics together with David Wineland for groundbreaking experimental methods that allow the measurement and manipulation of individual quantum systems. Their work made it possible to observe quantum particles—such as photons—without destroying them, something previously thought impossible. This achievement opened a new era in quantum experimentation and laid important foundations for future technologies like quantum computing, which could revolutionize information processing in the same way classical computers transformed the 20th century.
In later years, Haroche continued contributing to European science policy and research, including serving on a committee for the European Research Council, and holding distinguished academic positions such as the Fermi Chair of Physics in Rome.
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