The beginning of the 20th century witnessed the birth of a new theory which described nature at the smallest scales: quantum mechanics. It explained phenomena that could not be reconciled with classical physics. From this field of science arose fascinating, counter-intuitive concepts such as the fact that everything is made of both particles and waves and that it's impossible to predict with certainty the outcome of a single experiment.

Today, quantum science is a major trend in science that is already impacting everyday life: from the transistor and semiconductors in today’s microprocessor to magnetic resonance imaging or light-emitting diodes and lasers. However, the quantum revolution did not stop there. Emerging quantum technologies promise to revolutionize our computers and communication systems as well as explain biological and physical phenomena in unprecedented detail.

Through this inaugural AVS e-Talk, I will introduce the dynamic, multi-disciplinary field of quantum science. Using famous experiments, as well as my own experience in manipulating atoms near absolute zero, I will share the excitement of this field of science and explain how, with AVS Quantum Science, we hope to shed light on fundamental scientific advances as well as applications that were once speculative but are becoming today’s reality.