Quantum Technology Essentials for Non-Quantum Professionals

Level: Introductory Length: 4 hours Format: In-Person Lecture Intended Audience: Early- and mid-career engineers, technicians, business, marketing, sales and other professionals and managers who wish to learn more about quantum technologies and their projected impact on the economy, national security, and society at large. Prerequisite knowledge of classical optics (reflection, refraction, polarization) is preferred but not required. Description: Quantum technologies are expected to be among the most transformational technologies of the twenty-first century, revolutionizing fields like secure communications, advanced sensing, and computation. As quantum breakthroughs transition from research labs to industry applications, there is a growing demand for professionals who can understand and support Quantum 2.0 in the commercial environment. This course provides an accessible, introductory-level overview of quantum technology and its practical applications, designed for technical managers, product developers, sales engineers, and other professionals who need a foundational grasp of quantum technology concepts without requiring extensive mathematical knowledge. We will introduce basic postulates of quantum science such as superposition, entanglement, and the uncertainty principle through a common language and then discuss their impact on quantum devices and applications. In addition to the quantum postulates, we will touch upon the subjects of quantum tunneling, which underpins new types of sensors and imaging technologies; quantum coherence, a key feature in quantum computing and precise atomic clocks; and quantum interference, foundational to secure quantum communication protocols. We will also explore the opportunities this emerging sector offers for early- to mid-career professionals looking to upskill and transition into the quantum field. By the end of this course, participants will have a working understanding of these critical quantum concepts, enabling them to engage in technical discussions and identify areas within their organizations where quantum technologies can drive competitive advantage and innovation. The course is designed to make quantum technology approachable and useful for non-specialists, emphasizing working concepts over complex math. The course will empower participants to confidently communicate with quantum specialists, ask informed questions, and apply quantum knowledge to strategic decisions in their industries. Learning Outcomes: This course will enable you to: - demonstrate the knowledge of the terminology of quantum mechanics necessary to actively support quantum research and the quantum industry. - describe major types of quantum technologies and their projected impact on various industrial and scientific sectors. - illustrate and contrast in fundamental terms the postulates of the classical physics versus those of quantum theory and their effect on the perception of the macroworld versus microworld. - perform simple experiments to demonstrate the practical aspects of the quantum theory of light. Instructor(s): Moamer Hasanovic is an assistant teaching professor at the L.C. Smiths College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University in New York. He was awarded the 2020 Susan H. Johnson Endowed Teaching Chair and the 2014-2015 Innovation of the Year award for the Robotics and Photonics Institute at Indian River State College in Florida. He authored or co-authored over 30 conference and journal articles and three textbooks in electrical engineering. Dr. Hasanovic serves as the principal investigator on EdQuantum, an NSF-funded project whose goal is to develop and disseminate a three- course curriculum in quantum technologies. Event: SPIE Photonics West 2025 Course Held: 27 January 2025