Technology goes mini in quantum leap

The future for supercomputers and new uses of ultra cold atom lasers and gases will be showcased at Caloundra at an quantum atomic science workshop next month.

Some of the world’s leading quantum atomic scientists from America to Europe are coming for the International Workshop on Quantum Noise from May 14-18.

Conference co-organizer Joel Corney, also Chief Investigator of the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Quantum-Atom Optics at UQ, said quantum based technology could miniaturise and improve many current technologies and communications.

Dr Corney said quantum science could improve the transfer rates for optical communication, build minute sensors that could detect extremely small forces, perform unbreakable cryptography and increase the power and reduce the size of computer components.

Quantum science and ultracold gases can be used for gravitational sensors to pick up minute differences in the Earth's gravitational field, detect mineral deposits and improve the precision of atomic clocks used in satellites.

Dr Corney said this year’s workshop, hosted by UQ, had attracted high profile speakers because of the special celebration of the work of Australasian physics pioneer Professor Crispin Gardiner.

For more conference details, visit: http://physics.uq.edu.au/qn/

MEDIA: Dr Murray Olsen (+61 7 3346 9826), Dr Corney (+61 7 3346 9398, corney@physics.uq.edu.au) or Miguel Holland at UQ Communications (+61 7 3365 2619)