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Watson Lecture: What Entanglement Can Tell Us About Our World

Wednesday, May 11, 2022
5:00pm to 6:00pm
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Online and In-Person Event
Scott K. Cushing, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,
  • Public Event

Entanglement refers to a connection that can occur between quantum particles even when they are far apart from each other. Entanglement underpins everything from quantum teleportation to the quantum computation revolution. In this lecture, Cushing will discuss a less explored aspect of entanglement: what we can learn about both small and somewhat larger objects when they are forced to interact with entangled photons. The knowledge gained from these new tools could lead to cutting-edge technologies.

Cushing was named the 2021 KNI-Wheatley Scholar in Nanoscience for his proposal to develop entangled photon sources capable of exploiting quantum advantages in multiphoton nonlinear spectroscopy.


This lecture will be presented in a hybrid format, allowing for both virtual viewers and in-person attendees. No advanced registration is required for either format.

How to watch online
The lecture can be live streamed on caltech.edu/watson or on Caltech's YouTube channel. Virtual viewers can submit questions for the lecturer through the YouTube chat feed. Select questions will be answered after the lecture, during the audience Q&A.

How to attend in person
Local participants can attend the lecture inside Caltech's Beckman Auditorium. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. In accordance with Caltech's guidelines for on-campus events, proof of vaccination* and accompanying ID must be shown for entry into Beckman Auditorium. Masks are not required inside Beckman Auditorium but are encouraged. In-person attendees can ask questions during the audience Q&A immediately following the program.

*Proof of a negative viral test result from within 72 hours prior to the event will be accepted only for those individuals who have an exemption from the Caltech vaccination requirement. Learn more.

About the Series

Since 1922, The Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series has brought Caltech's most innovative scientific research to the public. The series is named for Earnest C. Watson, a professor of physics at Caltech from 1919 until 1959. Spotlighting a small selection of the pioneering research Caltech's faculty is currently conducting, the Watson Lectures are geared toward a general audience, as part of the Institute's ongoing commitment to benefiting the local community through education and outreach.

Many past Watson Lectures are available in a playlist on YouTube.

For more information, please contact The Caltech Ticket Office by email at events@caltech.edu.