Edito
by Christophe Jurczak
Quantonation
Welcome to the official website of the Alain Aspect Symposium, an annual event inspired by the pioneering work of Professor Alain Aspect, Nobel Laureate and a central figure in the development of quantum physics. This Symposium brings together leading scientists, industry experts, and innovators to explore the transformative potential of quantum technologies in addressing the pressing challenges of our time.
Nobel prize laureate (2022) Prof. Alain Aspect has, through his career, been a strong advocate for the practice of fundamental science, in the field of the foundations of Quantum Physics with his experimental validation of Bell’s inequalities, and in many fields of Atomic and Optical physics. But he has also always been interested in the applications of this outstanding science, encouraging his students to work in the industry and even start companies, be it PASQAL or Muquans.
The Symposium serves as a platform to advance dialogue and collaboration across disciplines. Each edition focuses on a critical theme, showcasing the intersection of quantum innovation and real-world impact.
The 2023 edition, dedicated to Quantum and Healthcare, explored how quantum technologies are revolutionizing medical research, diagnostics, and treatment. From advanced imaging to drug discovery, the event highlighted the extraordinary potential of quantum solutions to transform the healthcare landscape.
Building on that momentum, the 2024 edition turned its focus to Quantum and Climate, addressing one of the most urgent global challenges of our era. The program featured cutting-edge research and applications in quantum computing, sensing, and communication, demonstrating how these technologies can drive advancements in climate modeling, renewable energy, and sustainability.
As we look to the future, the Alain Aspect Symposium continues to be a beacon for innovation, fostering collaboration and inspiring new breakthroughs in quantum science and its applications. We invite you to join us in this journey to harness the power of quantum technologies for the benefit of humanity and our planet.
Bio
ALAIN ASPECT
Alain Aspect is Professor at the Institut d’OptiqueUniversité Paris-Saclay and at École Polytechnique (Institut Polytechnique de Paris). He is co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics for his experimental work on Bell inequalities, which probed the foundations of quantum physics. These experiments have profoundly affected our understanding of nature, and closed a debate opened at the beginning of the last century by Einstein, who considered quantum physics to be incomplete.
Prof. Aspect’s results paved the way for the science of quantum information and the development of quantum technologies, which are at the heart of research at the Institut quantique (‘Quantum Institute’) at l’University of Sherbrooke.
Together with his partners Georges-Olivier Reymond and Christophe Jurczak, Prof. Aspect founded Pasqal, a company dedicated to building quantum computers, in 2019. The company, which employs over 140 people, has offices in France, the Netherlands and Sherbrooke, within the Quantum Innovation Zone.
