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Quantum Frontiers: High-Impact Research at NIST
Since its inception in 1900, quantum physics has produced many surprising insights into the natural world. Those insights have powered a universe of technologies that improve our lives, often without us realizing they have quantum physics at their core. From GPS and smartphones to cybersecurity and precision instruments for defense, to exquisitely accurate measurements that underpin our commercial transactions, quantum has made our technologies more accurate, more trustworthy, and more secure.
Founded a year later in 1901, NIST has a long history as an international leader in quantum research, including being behind the invention of the world’s first atomic clock in 1949. NIST’s quantum innovations have led to multiple Nobel Prizes for our researchers, who did everything from demonstrating a new state of matter called the Bose-Einstein condensate to creating the first logic gates, which are the quantum versions of computer building blocks.
Join us in celebrating some of the many outstanding quantum achievements of our staff — and learn a little more about quantum along the way!
See some of NIST’s most important and influential papers in quantum science.
Quantum explainers
Quantum Blog Posts
quantum terms explained
Where is quantum in your everyday life?
