Federico Capasso

Robert L. Wallace Professor of Applied Physics and Vinton Hayes Senior Research Fellow in Electrical Engineering, Harvard University

Most Important Technology of the Last 40 Years:

Quantum technology.

Most Important Technology for the Coming Decade:

Quantum technology.

"In the last 40 years, there is a single encompassing theme: the impact that quantum technology—the application of quantum mechanics to devising novel semiconductor devices that rely on quantum effects in their operation—has had on information technologies such as photonics and electronics, which in turn have affected communications and could affect computing in the future. The other significant development is the invention of devices that use quantum effects for important applications.

"It's a fascinating combination of theory and novel design. Quantum engineering essentially means you can design new materials and devices with man-made mechanical and optical properties. Engineers are starting to play God a bit. We have been able to invent and implement novel materials and devices where we tell the materials how to behave. We create new properties.

"In the next 10 to 30 years, quantum mechanics will have an even more pervasive impact on technology, not only on communications and computing, but also on sensors. I would like to see the creation of new light sources that can generate new states of light to be used in quantum information processing."