Optica Online Industry Meeting: Quantum Sensing & Atomic Clocks

Dr Matthew Aldous is a quantum physicist specialising in cold‑atom technologies and next‑generation atomic clocks. He holds a PhD from the University of Southampton, where he developed enabling technologies for integrated atom chips and advanced miniaturised cold‑atom systems.  Formerly Dstl’s theme lead for Quantum Sensing, he has expertise in ultracold atoms, semiconductor‑integrated platforms, and field‑tested timing systems. He recently joined Aquark Technologies as Timing Lead, advancing deployable precision timekeeping for navigation and sensing applications.

Dr. Axel Friedenauer (diploma degree from Heidelberg University, PhD from Ludwig- Maximilians-University of Munich) is a laser physicist with a strong background in trapping, cooling and manipulating of single ions. He joined TOPTICA Photonics in 2008 as an expert for high-power single-frequency laser sources with several roles within the research and development department including project management of a complete family of ultrashort pulse femtosecond lasers. He joined the Quantum Technology Solutions team at TOPTICA in 2022 and currently serves as project manager for the single ion optical clock activities at TOPTICA.

Jason J. Hyon has served as Chief Technologist for the Earth Science and Technology Directorate (ESTD) since 2003 at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and currently also serves as Director of the Quantum Space Innovation Center. In these roles, he has led strategic technology planning, guided investment in emerging capabilities, and organized major NASA technical workshops, while advancing cutting-edge technologies for NASA Earth science missions.

Previously, he managed the development of ground data systems for NASA Earth science missions. His technical interests include microwave remote sensing; lidar and quantum technologies; real-time systems; data systems and large-scale archival architectures; and AI/ML-based digital twins. He has authored numerous technical publications and is the recipient of the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, and multiple JPL Magellan Awards.

Dr. Elizabeth Iwasawa is Leidos’ Director of Quantum Technologies, driving the quantum strategy and internal research portfolio, focusing on key development areas in quantum communications, sensing, photonics, and post-quantum security, integrated with Leidos’ distinguished cybersecurity, defense, and intelligence portfolios. Having built Leidos’ quantum team, partnerships, and direct program portfolio from scratch, her other focus is fostering Leidos’ quantum workforce by investing internally across a wide variety of technical backgrounds to develop a unique multi-disciplinary and industry-applicable approach to quantum research. Her drive to build the quantum workforce led her to grow strategic university partnerships in the Northern Virginia area supporting graduate research, fostering internships, collaborative research, and curriculum development. Her previous work in maritime autonomy helps drive a fieldable, mission-based approach to impactful quantum technologies.

Dr. Sylvain Karlen is Group Leader of the Quantum Tech group at CSEM (Switzerland), where he leads research and technology transfer activities in quantum sensing and atomic frequency standards. His work focuses on hot‑vapor and NV-centres based quantum sensors, MEMS atomic vapor cells, and compact atomic clocks, with applications ranging from science to industrial and space systems. He collaborates closely with academic and industrial partners to bring quantum technologies from the lab to real‑world applications.

Cesare studied Physics and Engineering in Italy and France, participating to the development of a fiber-based particle tracker for the LHCb experiment CERN.
In 2018, he obtained the PhD from ETH on Ultrafast Laser Physics, working on the development of femtosecond semiconductor disk lasers and their applications.
After that, he started working as technical business developer for high-tech companies in Photonics.

At Nova Scientia, Cesare drives commercial strategies leading the sales and marketing teams. He often steps back into innovation and work with his R&D people to develop products that match new business opportunities.

On the side: Cesare reads and writes about Literature, Philosophy and Physics; He climbs and skis. Sometimes sides are more important than the center.

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