Life in the  QuantumOptics Age

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The transition from classical to modern physics (including quantum) has dramatically changed our civilization. The people in the above photo ushered in this change beginning over 100 years ago and the effects are still making exponential change with current and future applications including quantum computing, encryption, sensing, materials development, logistics, communications and much more.

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In December 2018, the US Federal Government passed the National Quantum Initiative1 that recognized and funded some of the current efforts in developing the quantum industry in the United States. Other countries have done this2,3,4 both before and after the US, making this a global race to capitalize on the significant progress that has been made in past decades. In the past two years, the amount of attention that has been focused on many advances has left companies, national laboratories, colleges, and universities with many open positions for people skilled with knowledge and experience in quantum technologies. Some very excellent work5,6 has been done assessing the needs of the quantum industry.  Most of this work has been for people with undergraduate and graduate degrees in physics, chemistry, math, engineering, computer science, material science and related technologies. In line with some of my past educational endeavors, I have been consulting with EdQuantum to develop a hybrid curriculum in advanced optics, spectroscopy, and quantum technologies for technicians to fill the workforce gap between those with undergraduate and high school degrees.