Nicolas Gisin (born 1952) is a Swiss physicist and professor at the University of Geneva, working on the foundations of quantum mechanics, quantum information, and communication. His work includes both experimental and theoretical physics. He has contributed work in the fields of experimental quantum cryptography and long-distance quantum communication over standard telecom optical fibers. He also co-founded ID Quantique, a company that provides quantum-based technologies.
Nicolas Gisin | |
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Born | |
Citizenship | Swiss |
Alma mater | University of Geneva |
Known for | Quantum nonlocality Long distance quantum communication Quantum cryptography and teleportation Work on the foundations of quantum physics Schrödinger–HJW theorem |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Physics, Quantum foundations |
Institutions | University of Geneva, Constructor University |
Doctoral advisor | Constantin Piron |
Other academic advisors | Gérard Emch |
Nicolas Gisin was born in Geneva on 29 May 1952. He received a degree in mathematics and a master's degree in physics before receiving his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Geneva in 1981. His dissertation concerned quantum and statistical physics. After several years in the software and optical communication industries, Gisin joined the Group of Applied Physics at the University of Geneva in 1994, where he started working in optics. Since 2000, he has been the Director of the Department of Applied Physics,[1] leading a research group in Quantum information and quantum communication. The European Research Council awarded him with two successive ERC Advanced Grants.[2][3] In 2009, he received the first biennial John Stewart Bell Prize[4] and, in 2011, he received the prize of the Geneva City.[5] In 2014, Switzerland awarded him the Swiss Science prize sponsored by the Foundation Marcel Benoist[6] and delivered by the National Government.
On 17 July 2014, Gisin published his book, Quantum Chance: Nonlocality, Teleportation, and Other Quantum Marvels, in which he explains modern quantum physics and its applications without using mathematics or difficult concepts.[7] The text has been translated from French into English, German, Chinese, Korean, and Russian.
Gisin played at the highest Swiss level and was president of Servette HC from 2000 to 2015, furthering his club to become the largest in Switzerland. In 2010 Servette HC was awarded the title “Club of the Year” by the European Hockey Federation.[8][9] In 2014, the team won the Swiss championship for the first time in its century-long history.