Unveiling the Future of Physics at APS March Meeting 2012
Every year, the American Physical Society (APS) March Meeting brings together the world's brightest scientific minds to showcase groundbreaking discoveries that shape our understanding of the universe.
The 2012 gathering was particularly remarkable for its diverse range of breakthroughs—from quantum computing advancements that promised to revolutionize technology to thoughtful discussions about science's role in society 1 . This annual meeting represents not just a conference but a snapshot of physics' evolving landscape, where theoretical concepts meet practical applications, and where laboratory discoveries begin their journey toward transforming our daily lives.
The APS March Meeting 2012 featured hundreds of sessions covering everything from condensed matter physics to biological physics, with researchers presenting work that would lay the foundation for technologies we're only beginning to see today.
What made the 2012 meeting exceptional was its blending of technical innovation with professionally relevant discussions about how scientists communicate their work to the public and policymakers 2 3 . This article will take you inside this pivotal event, focusing on two particularly fascinating aspects: the cutting-edge experiments in quantum computing that edged us closer to practical quantum systems, and the vital conversation about science's broader impacts on society.
At the heart of the 2012 March Meeting was palpable excitement about quantum information processing, particularly through the development of superconducting qubits.
Unlike classical computers that process information as bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers use quantum bits or "qubits" that can exist in multiple states simultaneously thanks to the quantum phenomenon of superposition.
A particularly promising approach presented at the meeting was circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED), which marries concepts from quantum optics with superconducting electronics.
In circuit QED, artificial atoms (superconducting qubits) are coupled to microwave resonators that act as intermediaries for storing and transferring quantum information 3 .
The session on "Superconducting Qubits: 3D Cavities" chaired by Lev Bishop of the Joint Quantum Institute and CMTC, featured several breakthroughs addressing one of the most significant hurdles in quantum computing: maintaining quantum coherence 3 . Quantum states are notoriously fragile, easily destroyed by environmental interference through a process called decoherence.
The fundamental principle behind circuit QED is the strong coupling regime, where qubits and resonators exchange energy faster than it is lost to the environment. This enables quantum operations to be performed before decoherence occurs, making practical quantum computation increasingly feasible. The work presented at the 2012 meeting represented significant strides toward scaling these systems from individual qubits to more complex multi-component arrays 3 .
While technical breakthroughs captured much attention, the meeting also featured thoughtful discussions about science's role in society. In a session titled "Broader Impacts of Research-NSF Policy and Individual Responsibility," chaired by Donald Prosnitz of Rand Corporation, researchers examined how scientific enterprise interacts with public understanding and policy 2 .
Alan Leshner, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), delivered a keynote address highlighting a crucial challenge: public skepticism toward scientific findings that contradict deeply held beliefs or values 2 .
Leshner emphasized that producing excellent science is necessary but insufficient—researchers must also engage with the public to share their work's implications and significance.
This session reflected a growing recognition within the scientific community that research's broader impacts extend beyond citation counts and publication prestige. The National Science Foundation's requirement that proposals address both intellectual merit and broader impacts has encouraged researchers to consider how their work might benefit society and contribute to achieving desired societal outcomes.
One of the most technically impressive presentations at the meeting came from a Yale University team led by Gerhard Kirchmair and Robert Schoelkopf, who described their experiments on a three-mode circuit QED system 3 . Their setup consisted of two three-dimensional microwave resonators coupled to a single transmon qubit (a type of superconducting qubit known for its relative stability).
The team fabricated the superconducting components using photolithography techniques similar to those used in conventional computer chip manufacturing. These components were then cooled to temperatures near absolute zero (-273°C) using dilution refrigerators.
Each element (the two resonators and the qubit) required precise calibration using microwave pulses tuned to specific frequencies. The team employed sophisticated control electronics to manipulate the quantum states with nanosecond precision.
Using carefully designed microwave pulses, the researchers prepared specific quantum states in each component and transferred information between them. The system's response was measured through homodyne detection.
The Yale team demonstrated several groundbreaking capabilities in their multi-mode system:
| Component | Resonance Frequency (GHz) | Coherence Time (μs) | Anharmonicity (MHz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmon Qubit | 5.8 | 25 | -240 |
| Resonator 1 | 6.1 | 100 | N/A |
| Resonator 2 | 6.5 | 120 | N/A |
| State Condition | Mode 1 Frequency Shift (MHz) | Mode 2 Frequency Shift (MHz) |
|---|---|---|
| Qubit excited | +3.2 | +2.7 |
| Resonator 1 excited | -1.5 | +0.8 |
| Resonator 2 excited | +0.9 | -1.3 |
The Yale team's work represented significant progress toward scalable quantum architectures where multiple quantum elements work together in concert. Their full characterization of the system allowed them to reconstruct its Hamiltonian and compare it with nonlinear circuit QED theoretical predictions, validating both their experimental approach and theoretical foundations 3 .
Behind every breakthrough experiment lies an array of specialized tools and materials that make the research possible.
| Component/Material | Function in Research | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Niobium-based superconductors | Qubit and resonator fabrication | Maintains superconducting state at temperatures >9K |
| High-purity silicon substrates | Base material for quantum circuits | Low dielectric loss at microwave frequencies |
| Dilution refrigerators | Experimental cooling | Achieves temperatures <0.01K necessary for quantum coherence |
| Josephson junctions | Nonlinear element in transmon qubits | Enables quantum coherence without strong sensitivity to charge noise |
| Parametric amplifiers | Quantum measurement | Near-quantum-limited noise performance for state readout |
| Microwave generators and controllers | Quantum state manipulation | Precise frequency and timing control (nanosecond resolution) |
Each component plays a critical role in the ecosystem of quantum discovery. The niobium-based superconductors, for instance, allow electrical current to flow without resistance when cooled, enabling the quantum effects to emerge. The dilution refrigerators create an environment isolated from thermal disturbances that would otherwise destroy fragile quantum states.
The sophistication of these tools illustrates how interdisciplinary collaboration between physics, materials science, and electrical engineering drives quantum advancements. Each improvement in material purity or measurement sensitivity unlocks new experimental possibilities and brings us closer to practical quantum technologies.
The APS March Meeting 2012 offered a fascinating glimpse into physics' dual trajectory: simultaneously pushing forward into technical frontiers like quantum information processing while also deepening its engagement with broader societal questions.
The groundbreaking work on multi-mode circuit QED systems, exemplified by the Yale team's research, demonstrated tangible progress toward harnessing quantum mechanics for revolutionary technologies. Meanwhile, discussions about science's broader impacts reflected a discipline maturing in its relationship with society 2 3 .
Over a decade later, we can see how the research presented in 2012 has borne fruit. The capabilities demonstrated in multi-mode quantum systems laid foundation for today's intermediate-scale quantum devices being developed by industry and academic groups worldwide.
The American Physical Society's March Meeting continues to be a vital venue where physics' future is shaped through presentation, discussion, and collaboration. The 2012 event captured a field in transition—from theoretical concepts to practical implementations, from isolated discovery to engaged scholarship.
As Alan Leshner reminded attendees, the ultimate value of scientific research lies in its ability to "benefit humankind" 2 . The work presented at APS March Meeting 2012—from the most technical quantum measurement to reflections on scientific communication—all contributed to this essential human enterprise.