Physics Students Present Poster in Gravitational-wave Conference in Louisiana
Prottoy Samir and Emma Derrick attended the LIGO-Virgo-Kagra March 2024 Conference in Louisiana, where they presented their work on optical coating studies. The poster was titled "Surface and Defect Characterization of a Ta2O5-separated GeTiOx/SiO2 coating vs Annealing". The conference is an opportunity to explore new areas of research in optics, connect with colleagues and students that do similar research, and experience a scientific conference.
We are also thrilled that Emma's dedication to research was recognized in 2024 with the highly prestigious Goldwater Foundation Scholarship award!
Physics Student Presents Poster in Conference in Toyama, Japan
Left: Kace Colby is a Junior in the Physics Program at Bard. He has done extensive research in experimental Optics. Here, Kace is presenting his poster the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA September 2023 Meeting, at the Toyama Conference Center in Japan.
Right: 3 kilometer (1.9 mi) tunnel in the Kamioka mines. The tunnel is one of two long tunnels housing the KAGRA Gravitational-wave detector.
Physics students publish work in Optics
Physics students working in the Gravitational-wave Optics Lab (GOLab) publish in a peer-reviewed journal their work related to making better mirrors for future gravitational-wave observatories. The paper describes a novel technique to measure the size of defects on mirrors used in precision experiments such as GW interferometers and quantum optics. These kind of measurements lead to the development of new material that will allow precision experiments to reach new limits in metrology. The article in the journal Applied Optics can be found here.
For more information: contact Antonios Kontos at akontos(at)bard.edu
News from the Physics Program
Bard College Awarded Department of Energy Grant for Quantum Computation Research Project
The grant will support a project led by Abhinav Prem, assistant professor of physics.
Bard College Awarded Department of Energy Grant for Quantum Computation Research Project
Quantum computers promise dramatic speedups for problems like materials design, drug discovery, and complex climate modeling. But unlike conventional computers, quantum bits — or qubits — are extremely sensitive to their surroundings. Small disturbances such as heat, vibrations, or stray fields can flip or erase quantum information, causing errors that quickly cascade and wreck a computation.
Instead of trying to stop every disturbance, professor Prem uses a different strategy: build “tracks” that guide errors into predictable paths where they can be caught and corrected. These tracks come from mathematical structures called symmetries and from exotic states of matter known as topological phases. By designing systems where errors are forced to behave in regular, controllable ways, this research program aims to create quantum memories and operations that are naturally resilient, reducing the overhead for constant external correction.
“Think of an error as a runaway train,” Prem explains. “If the train can go anywhere, it will crash. Our project is about building the tracks that force those errors to move along very specific, predictable pathways. By constraining how errors propagate, we can effectively 'catch' and correct them before the train goes off the rails. This approach could lead to scalable quantum devices that are inherently resilient to inevitable environmental noise."
The two-year project will combine theoretical work with practical protocols aimed at near-term quantum devices, and will support one postdoctoral researcher each at Bard and USC.
Post Date: 01-21-2026
Article by Astrophysicist Clara Sousa-Silva Featured in the New York Times
Detecting the phosphine molecule in places that cannot sustain life “will be a critical piece of the puzzle for figuring out what business phosphine has anywhere else, including in a potentially habitable environment.”
Article by Astrophysicist Clara Sousa-Silva Featured in the New York Times
The Bard Physics Program is dedicated to helping students at all levels gain a better understanding of the universe and how it works.
Post Date: 10-14-2025
International Year of Quantum, Co-coordinated by Physicist Paul Cadden-Zimansky, Recognized at the Quantum World Congress
The Year was thanks to "dozens of countries, hundreds of institutions, and thousands of people," said Cadden-Zimansky.
International Year of Quantum, Co-coordinated by Physicist Paul Cadden-Zimansky, Recognized at the Quantum World Congress
“The International Year of Quantum would not have worked without the dozens of countries, hundreds of institutions, and thousands of people across the globe who believed in the mission of using the centennial of quantum mechanics as an occasion to improve public awareness of how central quantum is to our world,” said Cadden-Zimansky. “I think everyone who is putting in time and effort to make it a reality [can] share in this award and can take it as an encouragement to continue the mission of illuminating quantum science and technology for all.”
Post Date: 09-30-2025