Serge Haroche is a distinguished French physicist renowned for his pioneering experimental work in quantum optics and quantum information science. Born in Casablanca on September 11, 1944, he graduated from the prestigious École Normale Supérieure and earned his doctorate from Paris VI University in 1971 under the supervision of Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, who would later receive the 1997 Nobel Prize. Following a formative post-doctoral period at Stanford University with Arthur Schawlow, one of the inventors of the laser, he became a full professor at Paris VI University in 1975, where he established himself as a leading figure in atomic physics. In 2001, he was appointed Professor at the Collège de France, holding the chair of quantum physics, and served as President of the institution from 2012 to 2015 before becoming Professor Emeritus.
Haroche's groundbreaking research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of quantum systems through the development of innovative experimental techniques for measuring and manipulating individual quantum particles without destroying them. Working primarily at the Kastler Brossel laboratory, he pioneered methods in Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics that enabled the direct observation of quantum phenomena previously confined to theoretical speculation, most notably the 1996 experimental demonstration of quantum decoherence in mesoscopic superpositions of states. His work with microwave photons trapped between superconducting mirrors allowed for the non-destructive measurement of quantum states through the use of carefully prepared rubidium atoms, revolutionizing the field's experimental approach. This research culminated in the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics, which he shared with David Wineland, for 'ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems.'
Beyond his experimental achievements, Haroche has profoundly shaped the trajectory of quantum physics through his leadership in major scientific initiatives and his commitment to training the next generation of quantum scientists. His 2007 demonstration of quantum-non-demolition photon counting and earlier work on quantum logic gates laid essential groundwork for the emerging field of quantum computing and information processing. As an influential voice in European science policy, he served on the search committee for the European Research Council president in 2020 and held the prestigious Fermi Chair of Physics at the University of Rome La Sapienza in 2022. His continued advocacy for fundamental quantum research ensures that his legacy extends beyond his own laboratory to the broader scientific community's pursuit of harnessing quantum phenomena for future technological applications.
