How Quantum Sensors Can Measure Single Electrons | Amir Yacoby

How do you measure something as small as a single electron or map quantum behavior at the nanoscale?

In this episode, Misha spoke with Amir Yacoby, professor at Harvard University, about the cutting edge of quantum sensing and the experimental tools redefining how we probe the quantum world.

Yacoby explains how physicists build ultra-sensitive detectors, from single-electron transistors to quantum dots and NV centers in diamond, that can measure charge, spin, and magnetic fields with extraordinary precision. These tools make it possible to study both strongly correlated systems, like those exhibiting the fractional quantum Hall effect, and isolated quantum systems used as qubits.

We explore how accidental discoveries in the lab can evolve into entirely new sensing techniques, including momentum-resolved tunneling and nanoscale imaging methods. The conversation also highlights how quantum sensors are enabling researchers to bridge two regimes: complex many-body systems and controllable quantum devices, opening the door to new insights in topological physics and quantum information processing.

Whether you're interested in quantum measurement, nanoscale imaging, or the future of quantum technologies, this episode offers a detailed look at how new instruments are driving discovery at the frontiers of physics.

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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:23 - The Process of Creating Quantum Tools
11:28 - Graduate School at Weizmann
14:51 - From Aerospace to Condensed Matter
26:53 - Starting at Harvard
39:44 - Working at Bell Labs
47:42 - Diamond NV Centers
1:00:52 - Spin Waves
1:16:10 - SQUIDs
1:29:57 - State of the Art Sensors
1:33:08 - Motivations for Building Better Sensors
1:36:52 - Fabrication Challenges
1:40:14 - New Sensors
1:45:49 - Majoranas
1:53:25 - Finding New Applications for Sensors
1:57:16 - The Use of AI in Physics
1:58:55 - Advice for Young Scientists