Alain Facet is a French physicist whose ground-breaking work quantum entanglement later led to the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded collectively with John Clauser and Anton Zeilinger. Dr. Facet, along with being a member of the French Academy of Sciences and French Academy of Applied sciences, and a professor on the École Polytechnique, is co-founder of Pasqal. The impartial atom quantum computing firm introduced that it secured a €100 million fairness Collection B
The Quantum Insider is privileged to have had an opportunity to interview Dr. Facet.
TQI: Studying about your experiments within the Nineteen Eighties impressed me to later write about quantum science. I used to be questioning when you ever had an concept that these pioneering research would lead to what’s now an necessary, quickly rising trade. What motivated your early explorations?
Alain Facet: My motivation was purely elementary. Settling a debate between Bohr and Einstein was a implausible perspective for the younger physicist I used to be. Once I accomplished these experiments, I had the sensation that I had closed a chapter of quantum physics, and it was time to move to one thing else. I did it in 1985 after I joined Claud Cohen-Tannoudji (Nobel laureate 1997) to develop strategies of controlling atoms with lasers. The primary time after I heard about purposes of “my” entangled photons was Artur Ekert, in 1990, who defined to me his concept of quantum cryptography with entangled photons. I used to be enthusiastic, and from that point I at all times inspired my younger collaborators to consider purposes. They’ve performed it, and plenty of of them are in Pasqal or in its atmosphere.
TQI: What makes Pasqal uniquely suited to hold on this legacy and switch quantum science into quantum purposes?
Dr. Facet: Many researchers and engineers in Pasqal have been skilled in laboratories persevering with these elementary research on the leading edge. For example within the laboratory of my former grad pupil Antoine Browaeys, who accumulates world première after world première. They preserve involved with the latest advances, and are in an ideal atmosphere to translate them right into a “straightforward to make use of” piece of kit.
TQI: What are some potential real-world purposes of quantum computing that curiosity you essentially the most?
Dr. Facet: I wish to see quantum simulators fixing optimisation issues –eg. equilibrating an electrical grid — extra effectively than HPC. Extra effectively means quicker, but in addition with much less power consumption.
“Historical past of innovations (eg transistor, laser, optical fibers) present that when there’s a want and a market, engineers are extraordinary good at combating noise, for this reason I’m assured.”
TQI: Might you give us an concept of the challenges that stay in quantum and your confidence in overcoming these hurdles?
Dr. Facet: As at all times, it’s a matter of limiting the unhealthy impact of noise, which might be performed both by screening from noise sources, or by discovering a brand new approach to proceed extra insensitive to noise. Often each approaches are vital. Historical past of innovations (eg transistor, laser, optical fibers) present that when there’s a want and a market, engineers are extraordinary good at combating noise, for this reason I’m assured.
TQI: What recommendation would you give a budding quantum scientist or quantum entrepreneur who’s hoping to affix this area?
Dr. Facet: If he/she is deeply attracted by the area, he/she ought to go with out an excessive amount of considering and hesitation, as a result of issues are completely open and we don’t know of the way it will evolve within the coming years. However it’s positive that every one the efforts which can be invested will give fascinating outcomes, many sudden. So higher be within the motion slightly than observing it.