Eugene S. Polzik Named Recipient of the 2020 Herbert Walther Award

Prof. Eugene Simon Polzik is recognized “for pioneering experimental contributions to quantum optics including the demonstration of spin squeezing and entanglement of atomic ensembles, quantum teleportation between light and matter, a quantum memory for light, and hybrid atomic-mechanical coupling.” Polzik, professor of physics, Niels Bohr Institute at Copenhagen University, is an experimental quantum physicist who has made groundbreaking contributions within quantum optics.

The award was established in 2008 to honor Prof. 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. It is presented by OSA and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG) in alternate years, and is endowed by Toptica Photonics AG, Messe München International - LASER World of PHOTONICS, and individual contributors, including Tony and Jeannie Siegman, Joseph and Shirley Eberly, Gerd Leuchs, Marlan Scully, Wolfgang Ketterle, Peter Knight, and Y. Ron Shen.

The prize is expected to be awarded at the DPG spring conference of the Atoms, Molecules, Quantum Optics and Plasmas (SAMOP) section from March 8 to 13, 2020 in Hanover.