Luis L Sanchez-Soto
Universidad Complutense de Madrid, SpainFor pioneering research advancing the use of mathematical concepts in optics and quantum optics.
Luis Sanchez-Soto has long been interested in quantum. Initially, he studied quantum gravity at Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain, when a young professor joined the faculty, who introduced Luis to classical optics. Later, Luis was guided to explore quantum optics, which he’s been focused on ever since. He has been lucky over the years to have the time to dedicate to theoretical research.
As a result of this freedom in research, he’s had a wealth of opportunities to travel abroad as a visiting professor, establishing robust international collaborations. Currently, he works with groups in Ottawa, Canada; Boston, USA; Paris, France; and Paderborn, Germany. Many of these collaborations take his theoretical research and aim to apply it to various experiments. Luis shares, “We are doing a lot of stuff in quantum metrology and quantum sensing, working on making something like a quantum spectroscope and magnetic fields. The topics cover a huge range.”
Before these more experimental applications, Luis’ work was very abstract, “almost mathematical.” He reflects that making this mindset shift was sometimes challenging and required Luis to reframe his work. An illustrative example occurred when he was visiting a group in Singapore. He shares, “There was an idea that if you apply quantum information theory, one could break the Rayleigh Limit, improving the resolution in optical systems. We ended up calling it the Rayleigh Curse. The theory ended up getting immediately implemented in several labs. Today, some companies are trying to use it to improve cameras.” He goes on to say that despite being theoretical, much of his research can now be translated into applications that could improve society.
Luis credits much of his success to a trio of excellent mentors who helped him throughout his career. Gunnar Björk, now retired from the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, was influential early on in quantum physics. On the theoretical side was Andrei Klimov, who is now in Guadalajara. Finally, 2024 Optica President Gerd Leuchs was of particular influence. Gerd invited Luis to join the Max Planck Institute in Erlangen, Germany, in 2004, where Luis is still a leader of the QTeC (Quantumness, Tomography, Entanglement, Codes) at the Division of Quantum Information Processing. This position has opened up many of his current collaborations and has allowed Luis to have research freedom, all thanks to that invitation from Gerd.
Of course, Luis has worked hard for his achievements. He shares that, even in his free time, he’s thinking about research because he is genuinely passionate about his work. (He does enjoy books, baking, and biking when taking time for himself.) When it comes to work however, his best advice for students is to work hard, and he shares a Picasso quote, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Research is complex and requires a certain level of dedication to progress, and Luis is happy to spend that time.
He is excited about the future of quantum. He can’t overstate the importance of the explosion of research in the field in the last decade. He recently attended a conference in Korea that was bursting with quantum start-ups in the exhibition. Another example was the mention of quantum computing in a recent United States Presidential debate. Quantum really is everywhere. Luis is pleased to be part of such a growing field and is excited about what is coming next.
Photo courtesy of Luis Sanchez-Soto
Profile written by Samantha Hornback
