The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and UNESCO are proud to present the fifth and final session of the year in the Physics for Society online colloquia series , an inspiring initiative launched in 2025 as part of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

This series celebrates the transformative role of quantum science in advancing technology and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, within the broader framework of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033).

The series was inaugurated by Nobel Laureate Anne L’Huillier and has since featured exceptional contributions from leading scientists, highlighting how quantum discoveries reshape our understanding of nature and society.

In this special closing session, Nobel Laureates Alain Aspect and William D. Phillips will share their insights and reflections on the latest quantum breakthroughs, exploring their profound implications for science and society.

Their conversation will be moderated to foster discussion between the two Nobel Laureates, while also giving the audience the chance to ask questions — a rare opportunity to witness the exchange of ideas between two of the greatest scientific minds of our time.

Finish your year inspired by Nobel Laureates and the quantum revolution!

Event Details

Date: Monday December 15th at 2 pm CEST

Time: 14:00-15:00 (Central European Time – CET)

Location: Virtual Event, ZOOM

Event Type: Category VIII – Symposium

Arrangement Type: Virtual

Agenda (CET Time)

14:00-14:05 – Opening Remarks

  • Silvina Ponce-Dawson, IUPAP & University of Buenos-Aires

14:05-14:10 – Colloquium Series Introduction

  • Dr Christine Darve, IUPAP & European Spallation Source, ERIC
  • Ms Jing Zhao, IYQ Coordinator, Basic Sciences, Research, Innovation and Engineering Section, UNESCO

14:10-14:45 – Dialogue and Reflections

Moderator:  Luis A. Orozco – University of Maryland, USA

  • Alain Aspect – Institut d’Optique Graduate School, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, France
  • William (Bill) D. Phillips – National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) & University of Maryland, USA

14:45-15:00 Q&A Session with Audience

 William (Bill) D. Phillips is a Nobel Laureate in Physics (1997), recognized for his pioneering development of methods to cool and trap atoms using laser light, enabling unprecedented control of atomic motion. His work laid the foundation for advances in quantum measurement, precision spectroscopy, and atomic clock technology.

Alain Aspect is a Nobel Laureate in Physics (2022), celebrated for his pioneering experiments on quantum entanglement, which confirmed violations of Bell’s inequalities and provided crucial experimental support for the foundations of quantum mechanics. His groundbreaking work has not only deepened our understanding of quantum theory but also paved the way for modern quantum information science, quantum communication, and quantum technologies.

Moderator: Luis A. Orozco is Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of Maryland and a Fellow of the Joint Quantum Institute. His research focuses on quantum optics, precision spectroscopy, and tests of fundamental symmetries using francium atoms. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the Optical Society, and the Institute of Physics (UK), and is widely recognized for his contributions to quantum science and education.

Contacts: [email protected] and [email protected]