Dec 9 2015
The Optical Society (OSA) and the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG) announced that the 2016 Herbert Walther Award will be presented to Peter Zoller, Institute for Theoretical Physics, Universität Innsbruck, Austria, for his pioneering discoveries and development of new interdisciplinary quantum science that unifies quantum optics, atomic, molecular, optical and condensed matter which have opened new paths toward future applications in quantum technology.
“Peter is one of the most influential leaders in the field of quantum optics and his pioneering work with quantum simulators will further drive innovation in the next generation of quantum computing,” said Elizabeth Rogan, CEO of The Optical Society. “The Optical Society is proud to recognize his seminal contributions and impact to the science community with the well-deserved Walther Award.”
Zoller is best known for his pioneering research on quantum computing applications, quantum optics and solid state physics. His theories on the model of a quantum computer, based on the interaction of lasers with cold ions confined in an electromagnetic trap, have been implemented in experiments and are considered the most promising concepts for the development of a scalable quantum computer. Zoller has earned numerous awards and honors during his career, including the Wolf Prize in Physics in 2013, the Franklin Institute’s 2010 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics, the Max Planck Medal from DPG in 2005 and the Max Born Award from The Optical Society in 1998. In addition to being a professor at the Universität Innsbruck, he is the Scientific Director at the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
Established in 2007, the Walther Award is named in honor of Dr. Herbert Walther for the seminal influence of his ground-breaking innovations in quantum optics and atomic physics, and for his wide-ranging contributions to the international scientific community. The award is sponsored by DPG and The Optical Society.