Four Princeton researchers, Nathalie de Leon, Julia Mikhailova, Barry Rand and Jeff Thompson, have won the 2023 Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative awards. The $1,250,000 grant will support their research into quantum computing, advanced solar cells and laser-based sensing technologies. De Leon pioneered the use of diamonds for quantum information technologies. Mikhailova investigates optical harmonic generation, Rand studies the properties of thin film materials for next-gen devices, and Thompson explores novel approaches to quantum computing and communication. The award aims to advance the scientific frontier in experimental physics.
Princeton University Researchers Win Prestigious Physics Awards
Four researchers from Princeton University have been recognized as among the 21 recipients of the 2023 Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative awards. The awards, which come with a grant of $1,250,000 for each recipient, are intended to support research in experimental physics over the next five years. The research areas include quantum computing, advanced solar cells, and laser-based sensing technologies, with an additional focus on fostering inclusive research communities.
Nathalie de Leon: Advancing Quantum Information Technologies
Nathalie de Leon, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, has made significant strides in the field of quantum information technologies. Since joining Princeton in 2016, de Leon has identified a new colour centre in diamond that combines long spin coherence times with excellent optical properties, a significant achievement in the field of quantum networks. She has also developed new techniques for nanoscale quantum sensing using nitrogen-based diamond colour centres and is currently working on new techniques for bulk quantum diamond growth.
De Leon’s research group works across various fields, including quantum optics, atomic physics, condensed matter and device physics, materials science, surface spectroscopy, nanofabrication, and spin physics. Their work aims to uncover sources of noise and loss in quantum systems and design new quantum platforms. Their most recent work has led to the development of a new superconducting qubit based on tantalum that achieved world-record coherence.
Julia Mikhailova: Exploring Optical Harmonic Generation
Julia Mikhailova, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, focuses her research on optical harmonic generation in plasmas and solids and the development of new ionisation-based optical components. Optical harmonics can serve as a diagnostic tool for high-energy-density plasmas and new quantum materials. They can also be a source of intense ultrafast X-ray radiation that can be used to produce entangled X-ray light for quantum metrology. Mikhailova joined Princeton in 2013.
Barry Rand: Innovating Thin Film Devices
Barry Rand, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, investigates the optical and electrical properties of thin film materials. His research aims to advance the next generation of thin film devices. His group has discovered new ways to understand energy loss in organic solar cells, found the key to managing heat in metal halide perovskite LEDs, and developed a novel technique that allows nanoparticles to self-assemble for more efficient, stable and durable perovskite LEDs. Rand joined the Princeton faculty in 2013.
Jeff Thompson: Exploring Quantum Computing and Communication
Jeff Thompson, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, is an experimental atomic physicist exploring novel approaches to quantum computing and communication. His work on ytterbium atoms in optical tweezer arrays has proven useful in quantum error correction, a crucial step in the quest to build practical scale quantum computers. Another system, based on erbium ions in the solid state, shows promise as a way to connect quantum information systems in low-loss networks over optical fibre. Thompson joined Princeton in 2016.
- Nathalie de Leon, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, has pioneered the use of diamond as a platform for quantum information technologies. Since her 2016 arrival at Princeton, de Leon has identified a new color center in diamond that combined long spin coherence times with excellent optical properties, an outstanding problem in the field of quantum networks.
- Mikhailova, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, investigates optical harmonic generation in plasmas and solids and develops new ionization-based optical components. Optical harmonics can serve as a diagnostic tool for high-energy-density plasmas and new quantum materials, as well as a source of intense ultrafast X-ray radiation that can be used to produce entangled X-ray light for quantum metrology.
- Rand, professor of electrical and computer engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, investigates the optical and electrical properties of thin film materials to usher in the next generation of thin film devices. His group has uncovered new ways to understand energy loss in organic solar cells, discovered the key to managing heat in metal halide perovskite LEDs, and developed a novel technique that allows nanoparticles to self-assemble for more efficient, stable and durable perovskite LEDs.
- Thompson, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, is an experimental atomic physicist exploring novel approaches to quantum computing and communication. One line of work, based on ytterbium atoms in optical tweezer arrays, has proven useful in quantum error correction, a key hurdle in the quest to build quantum computers at a practical scale.
Quick Summary
Four researchers from Princeton University have been awarded grants from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to support their work in quantum computing, advanced solar cells and laser-based sensing technologies. The research includes the use of diamond as a platform for quantum information technologies, the investigation of optical harmonic generation in plasmas and solids, the study of the optical and electrical properties of thin film materials for the next generation of thin film devices, and the exploration of novel approaches to quantum computing and communication.
- Four researchers from Princeton University, Nathalie de Leon, Julia Mikhailova, Barry Rand, and Jeff Thompson, have been awarded the 2023 Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative awards.
- The award includes a $1,250,000 grant for each recipient, to be distributed over five years, to support research in experimental physics.
- Nathalie de Leon’s research focuses on the use of diamond as a platform for quantum information technologies. She has developed new techniques for nanoscale quantum sensing and is working on new methods for bulk quantum diamond growth.
- Julia Mikhailova investigates optical harmonic generation in plasmas and solids and develops new ionization-based optical components. Her work can serve as a diagnostic tool for high-energy-density plasmas and new quantum materials.
- Barry Rand’s research involves the optical and electrical properties of thin film materials. His group has discovered new ways to understand energy loss in organic solar cells and developed a novel technique that allows nanoparticles to self-assemble for more efficient, stable and durable perovskite LEDs.
- Jeff Thompson’s work explores novel approaches to quantum computing and communication. His research on ytterbium atoms in optical tweezer arrays has proven useful in quantum error correction, a key hurdle in the quest to build quantum computers at a practical scale.