Yale Bulletin and Calendar

March 31, 2006|Volume 34, Number 24

Scientist Andreas Wallraff is lauded
for work in quantum device research

Andreas Wallraff, associate research scientist in applied physics, received the Nicholas Kurti European Science Prize in recognition of a record of sustained achievement working at the forefront of quantum device research employing experimental low-temperature techniques.

The award honors Wallraff for his decisive and innovative experiments on quantum mechanical effects in superconducting circuits, combining low-noise electronics, ultra-low temperatures and microwave techniques -- work that he began during his postgraduate and postdoctoral years at the University of Erlangen-Nurnberg and has continued at Yale. His work has had an impact on the fields of superconducting devices and quantum mechanics of macroscopic solid state systems and has advanced the state of the art for quantum information processing using superconducting circuits.

Established in 2004, the prize is named after Professor Nicholas Kurti (1908-1998), who is known for his distinguished work in ultra-low temperature physics. The prize, awarded annually, is sponsored by Oxford Instruments Superconductivity.

Collaborating at Yale in the experimental group of Robert Schoelkopf, professor of applied physics and physics, in applied physics, and the theory group of Steve Girvin, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics and Applied Physics, in physics, Wallraff performed the first experiments showing coherent coupling of a single photon to an artificial, solid-state "atom." These results, reported in a highly cited article in Nature, launched a new field of research -- dubbed "circuit quantum electrodynamics" by the researchers -- allowing new investigations of the interaction of light and matter at the single-photon limit. This work also led to breakthroughs in quantum computation and communication with solid-state devices.

"The experiments he has done are a technical tour-de-force and a beautiful piece of physics," says Schoelkopf. "This has been appreciated by both the solid-state and atomic physics communities, and the Kurti Prize confirms his stature as one of the rising stars in the field of quantum information and quantum device engineering."

The award is given for exceptional scientific achievement by researchers within the first seven years after receiving their doctoral degrees. Winners are chosen on the basis of their leadership, the significance of their results and the impact of the work in setting a new direction for research in that field. It is given for work done at least in part in Europe. The prize consists of an honorarium, a trophy and commemorative certificate, and support so scientists can present their research at a relevant conference. Wallraff will take up his new post next month as assistant professor of solid state physics at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, where he will set up his own lab to continue work in this area. He will accept the award this summer in Europe.

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