Antoine Browaeys, of the Institut d’Optique, CNRS, France, has been awarded the 2026 Herbert Walther Award for his pioneering realization of arrays of single, neutral atoms held in optical tweezers. This platform enables exquisitely controlled quantum simulation of many-body physics and represents a candidate for scalable quantum computation. Browaeys’ innovative approach utilizes individually trapped atoms arranged in arbitrary 2D geometries, allowing exploration of quantum phenomena. Recognized by Optica and the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG), this award honors his groundbreaking contributions to quantum optics and atomic physics, advancing the field of quantum science.
Antoine Browaeys Receives 2026 Herbert Walther Award
Antoine Browaeys will receive the 2026 Herbert Walther Award from Optica and the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG). The award recognizes his distinguished contributions to quantum optics and atomic physics, as well as leadership within the international scientific community. Browaeys is a research director at the Institut d’Optique’s Laboratoire Charles Fabry, and his work focuses on realizing arrays of single, neutral atoms held in optical tweezers.
Browaeys is specifically honored for his development of these atom arrays as a platform for exquisitely controlled quantum simulation of many-body physics and their potential as a scalable quantum computation platform. His innovative approach utilizes individual atoms trapped in optical tweezers, arranged in arbitrary 2D geometries. He received his PhD from the Institut d’Optique and completed a post-doc at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA.
The Herbert Walther Award commemorates the groundbreaking innovations of Max Planck Institute of Quantum Physics Professor Herbert Walther. Optica, founded in 1916, and the DPG jointly present the award, recognizing significant achievement in the fields of quantum optics and atomic physics. Browaeys has also received several other accolades, including the Aimé Cotton Prize and CNRS Silver Medal.
About Optica and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
Optica, formerly founded in 1916, is a society dedicated to advancing optics and photonics globally. It focuses on the generation, application, archiving, and dissemination of knowledge in the field of light science. As a leading organization, Optica supports scientists, engineers, business professionals, and students through publications, meetings, and online resources. Discoveries are fueled and applications are accelerated via these efforts, ultimately promoting scientific and educational achievement. More information is available at Optica.org.
The Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG), headquartered near Bonn, is the world’s oldest and largest physical society, boasting 62,000 members. This non-profit organization facilitates knowledge transfer within the scientific community through conferences, events, and publications. Importantly, the DPG also focuses on encouraging junior scientists and promoting equal opportunities within the field of physics, alongside making physics accessible to those curious about learning more.
Optica and the DPG jointly present the Herbert Walther Award, recognizing distinguished contributions to quantum optics and atomic physics, as well as leadership within the international scientific community. This award commemorates the innovations of Professor Herbert Walther of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Physics. The 2026 award was given to Antoine Browaeys for his work realizing arrays of single neutral atoms in optical tweezers, a platform for quantum simulation and scalable quantum computation.
Congratulations to Antoine Browaeys on this well-deserved recognition,” said Jim Kafka, Optica 2025 President. “He is a world-leader in the fields of quantum optics and many-body quantum physics. Through his visionary research and leadership, he is shaping the future of quantum technologies.”
Jim Kafka, Optica 2025 President
Optica’s Mission and Knowledge Dissemination
Optica, founded in 1916, is dedicated to promoting knowledge in optics and photonics through generation, application, archiving, and dissemination. As the leading organization for those interested in the science of light, Optica supports scientists, engineers, business professionals, students, and others. This is achieved through renowned publications, meetings, and online/in-person resources designed to fuel discoveries and accelerate scientific and educational achievement; more information can be found at Optica.org.
Optica recognizes distinguished contributions to quantum optics and atomic physics through the Herbert Walther Award, named for Max Planck Institute of Quantum Physics Professor Herbert Walther. The 2026 award recipient, Antoine Browaeys, was honored for realizing arrays of single neutral atoms held in optical tweezers – a platform for quantum simulation of many-body physics and scalable quantum computation. This award also acknowledges leadership within the international scientific community.
The Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG), with 62,000 members, also prioritizes knowledge dissemination. As the world’s oldest and largest physical society, DPG promotes knowledge transfer through conferences, events and publications. The DPG also focuses on encouraging junior scientists and fostering equal opportunities within the field of physics, aiming to make physics accessible to anyone curious to learn more.
