A light tour of Optics in 20 milestones

Prof. Luis L. Sanchez-Soto
Max Planck Institut für die Physik des Lichts
Erlangen (Germany)

Abstract: The science of optics goes back to the roots of our civilization and has since served as a chief source of inspiration for numerous scientists.  In this talk I will try to capture the important breakthroughs, innovations, individual characters, and events that have been pivotal for our present-day understanding of the science of light.

Bio: Luis L. Sanchez-Soto obtained his MSc in Theoretical Physics (1984) and in Fundamental Mathematics (1985) at Complutense University, Madrid. He received his PhD in Quantum Optics at Paris. After holding several postdoc positions (Boston, Postdam, Olomouc) he became Associate Professor (1994) and Full Professor (2002) at Madrid, where he is head of the Quantum Optics Group. Since its creation 2003, he joined the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, where he is in charge of the Theory Group.

His research interests are primarily in the areas of quantum optics and foundations of quantum theory, with strong emphasis in possible applications to quantum information processing.

He has published two books and over 200 papers in international refereed journals.