Measuring the Elusive | Public event with Nobel Laureate William Phillips and Prof. Vanderlei Bagnato | Teatro Miela, 29 May

[Infopoint]

Dear All,

We are pleased to invite you to a public event that will take place on 
*Thursday 29 May at 18:30 hrs * at Trieste's *Teatro Miela*.

Quantum science has revolutionised modern electronics and global 
telecommunications, with inventions like the transistor, lasers, 
rare-earth magnets and light-emitting diodes all made possible by 
quantum mechanics. Quantum science has also redefined how we measure 
everything from time to length to speed; it was the basis for a 
fundamental revision in 2019 for all measurements, introducing a highly 
stable system of standards, such as those defining the weight of a 
kilogram, based on invariable constants of nature. How and why this 
reformed measuring system came about is a fascinating tale of history 
and technology coming together to produce ever-precise measurements, and 
is the topic of a public event co-sponsored by ICTP and SISSA titled 
“Measuring the Elusive: Quantum Physics Rewrites the Metric System".

In an entertaining, one-hour performance involving the use of lasers, 
pendulums and voltmeters, *Nobel Laureate William Phillips*, appearing 
online, and *Professor Vanderlei Bagnato* of Sao Paulo University will 
highlight, through hands-on demonstrations, how quantum physics has 
changed our standard system of units.

*Seating is limited and requires online registration 
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/measuring-the-elusive-quantum-physics-rewrites-the-metric-system-tickets-1360261521829?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl>*. 


Phillips, who received the Physics Nobel Prize in 1997 for developing 
laser cooling and trapping of atoms, will connect from the American 
National Institute of Science and Technology in Washington DC for a live 
conversation with Bagnato and the audience, while Bagnato—on stage—will 
perform real-time experiments that will help us grasp the meaning of the 
transformations undergone by our measurement system.

The event is one of several ICTP activities taking place during the week 
of 26 May in honour of the UN's International Year of Quantum Science 
and Technology <https://quantum2025.org/>, including a major 
international conference on "Quantum Physics: from Foundations to 
Emerging Technologies" <https://indico.ictp.it/event/10838>. The full 
list of events are here 
<https://www.ictp.it/news/2025/5/celebrating-quantum-science>.

We look forward to seeing you at Teatro Miela next Thursday!

The ICTP Public Information Office

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