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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Physics Students Explore “Quantum Weirdness” at University of Rochester


For the next 6 weeks, students enrolled in PHY 262 Modern Physics will conduct their laboratory activities using the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics.

Students will conduct a pair of experiments involving the manipulation of individual particles of light, photons. Both of these experiments have only recently been adapted from the research literature. The techniques developed in these experiments form the basis of the emerging technologies of quantum computing, quantum cryptography and quantum state teleportation. Learning abstract quantum theory from hands-on experiments provides students not only a better understanding of “quantum weirdness” but also a unique experience with technology that they will encounter in the future high-tech workplace.

This unique experience is made possible by a National Science Foundation grant jointly awarded to the University of Rochester, MCC, Rochester Institute of Technology and Bryn Mawr College. Paul D’Alessandris (Engineering Science and Physics) is the co-Principle Investigator on the project with representatives from the other institutions.

Paul D'Alessandris
Engineering Science and Pysics
03/24/2011