NASA’s PACE satellite is in space! On February 8, 2024, A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite for NASA from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex at 1:33 a.m. EST.

Over the last 5 years, Physics professor J. Vanderlei Martins' research group in the Earth and Space Institute developed the Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter 2 (HARP2). HARP2 is one of the three main instruments on the PACE satellite.

PACE represents the next step on the measurement of aerosols, clouds and ocean ecology from space. The unique combination of instruments on PACE (OCI, HARP2, and SPEXOne) provides an unprecedented capability to characterize aerosol microphysics, clouds, and surface properties (over ocean and land). PACE has a combination of hyperspectral and hype-angular polarization measurements never before flown in space. This opens up a new generation of passive instruments for the global monitoring of our planet.

UMBC’s HARP2 instrument is a specialized wide field-of-view camera that is sensitive to polarized light and will image the entire Earth every two days. HARP2 expands on the preliminary steps of HARP CubeSat (a previous technology demonstration) providing the global monitoring of aerosols, clouds and surface properties from space. HARP2 will characterize the amount and type of particulate matter (pollution) resulting from forest fires, dust, volcanic emissions, urban emissions, etc., and the size of the droplets on liquid clouds, as well as the identification between liquid water and ice.

The development of HARP2 involved UMBC, GESTAR, JCET, and NASA faculty, as well as many external collaborators and contractors. ATPH graduate students Noah Sienkiewicz and Rachel Smith have contributed significantly to the HARP2 development and testing as well, and their PhD work will uniquely combine engineering and science aspects of HARP2 and its data.

Congratulations to all, including our Physics faculty, staff, and students who were involved with this mission!

Learn more about PACE!

View the launch here on YouTube: "SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches NASA's PACE-Payload."

See the PACE spacecraft mission on the PACE mission blog.

Please see the UMBC news for more details.

PACE images credit: NASA ]]> On February 8, 2024, A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite for NASA from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex at 1:33 a.m. EST. Over the... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/138851/guest@my.umbc.edu/9d10a5721d64d8efc07335038c849e5b/api/pixel Physics https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/original.jpg?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/large.png?1520366549 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/medium.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/small.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxsmall.png?1520366549 Physics https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/851/7b72c7e1e968d48ada47da0d0315bb1f/xxlarge.jpg?1707496685 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/851/7b72c7e1e968d48ada47da0d0315bb1f/xlarge.jpg?1707496685 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/851/7b72c7e1e968d48ada47da0d0315bb1f/large.jpg?1707496685 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/851/7b72c7e1e968d48ada47da0d0315bb1f/medium.jpg?1707496685 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/851/7b72c7e1e968d48ada47da0d0315bb1f/small.jpg?1707496685 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/851/7b72c7e1e968d48ada47da0d0315bb1f/xsmall.jpg?1707496685 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/851/7b72c7e1e968d48ada47da0d0315bb1f/xxsmall.jpg?1707496685 PACE logo 0 0 false Fri, 09 Feb 2024 11:48:22 -0500 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:34:56 -0500 Dr. Reshma Mathew wins Best Poster Award at I-APS 2024 Dr. Reshma Mathew was honored with the Best Poster Award at the I-APS meeting.

Event: Inter-American Photochemistry Meeting at Miramar Beach, Florida, January 3-6, 2024.

Poster Title: Single-Particle Spectroscopy: A Versatile Tool to Explore the Intermittency of CsPbI3 Perovskite Quantum Dots.

]]> Dr. Reshma Mathew was honored with the Best Poster Award at the I-APS meeting. Event: Inter-American Photochemistry Meeting at Miramar Beach, Florida, January 3-6, 2024. Poster Title:... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/138252/guest@my.umbc.edu/4ce3b3bd0206c02faa8281e7a0e77edf/api/pixel Physics https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/original.jpg?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/large.png?1520366549 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/medium.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/small.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxsmall.png?1520366549 Physics https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/252/14f08c1b67ae8e36776397b30fc99623/xxlarge.jpg?1705587658 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/252/14f08c1b67ae8e36776397b30fc99623/xlarge.jpg?1705587658 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/252/14f08c1b67ae8e36776397b30fc99623/large.jpg?1705587658 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/252/14f08c1b67ae8e36776397b30fc99623/medium.jpg?1705587658 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/252/14f08c1b67ae8e36776397b30fc99623/small.jpg?1705587658 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/252/14f08c1b67ae8e36776397b30fc99623/xsmall.jpg?1705587658 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/252/14f08c1b67ae8e36776397b30fc99623/xxsmall.jpg?1705587658 2 0 false Thu, 18 Jan 2024 09:26:24 -0500 Dr. Deffner elected as Chair of GSNP Dr. Deffner has been elected into the chair line of the Topical Group on Statistical & Nonlinear Physics (GSNP) of the American Physical Society.

The objective of the Topical Group is the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the interdisciplinary area of nonequilibrium statistical physics. This area encompasses nonlinear science from dynamical systems and chaos, through pattern formation and spatio-temporal chaos, to fluid turbulence and complex systems. Also of prime interest are concepts of statistical mechanics, especially in their application to nonequilibrium systems as exemplified in the emerging field of "soft condensed matter physics". These include but are not limited to granular media, foams and emulsions, colloids, biomolecules, networks, polymers, dynamics of biological systems, and fracture dynamics. The Group encourages research and applications in these areas and promotes international cooperation.

As member of the chair line, Dr. Deffner will serve over the next four years as Vice Chair, Chair-Elect, Chair, and Past Chair. In this role, he will oversee the operations of the Topical Group, which include e.g. the organization of the APS March Meeting, the selection of APS Fellows, and awarding the prizes dedicated to nonlinear and statistical physics. ]]> Dr. Deffner has been elected into the chair line of the Topical Group on Statistical & Nonlinear Physics (GSNP) of the American Physical Society. The objective of the Topical Group is the... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/138053/guest@my.umbc.edu/4054ff12591cfb99ab0a148c0c94b4f8/api/pixel Physics https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/original.jpg?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/large.png?1520366549 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/medium.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/small.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxsmall.png?1520366549 Physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/053/98f7489d3bb5c68704cfc17da4ac3e8c/xxlarge.jpg?1704663762 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/053/98f7489d3bb5c68704cfc17da4ac3e8c/xlarge.jpg?1704663762 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/053/98f7489d3bb5c68704cfc17da4ac3e8c/large.jpg?1704663762 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/053/98f7489d3bb5c68704cfc17da4ac3e8c/medium.jpg?1704663762 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/053/98f7489d3bb5c68704cfc17da4ac3e8c/small.jpg?1704663762 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/053/98f7489d3bb5c68704cfc17da4ac3e8c/xsmall.jpg?1704663762 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/053/98f7489d3bb5c68704cfc17da4ac3e8c/xxsmall.jpg?1704663762 0 0 false Sun, 07 Jan 2024 16:45:41 -0500 Congratulations to our Fall 2023 Ph.D. and M.S. Graduates! pengwang zhai, Neranga Prasadi Kaluappuwa Hannadige, kevin zhang, zhibo zhang

Ph.D. in Atmospheric Physics:
Neranga Prasadi Kaluappuwa Hannadige
Mentor: Dr. Pengwang Zhai
"Remote Sensing of Aerosols and Ocean Color with Multi-Angle Polarimeters and Spectro-Radiometers"

Jianyu Zheng
Mentor: Dr. Zhibo Zhang
"Characteristics of dust aerosol properties using CALIOP and thermal infrared satellite observations"


Ph.D. in Physics:
Agniva Roy Chowdhury
Mentor: Dr. Eileen Meyer
"Investigating the Dynamics of Extragalactic Jets from Parsec to Kiloparsec Scales: Novel Constraints on Jet Acceleration and Emission"

Aamil Shaik
Mentor: Dr. Eileen Meyer
"Variability and spectral properties of large-scale extragalactic X-ray jets"


M.S. in Atmospheric Physics:
Roshan Mishra

M.S. in Physics:
Anoosha Fayyaz
Prajwal Panda
]]> Ph.D. in Atmospheric Physics: Neranga Prasadi Kaluappuwa Hannadige Mentor: Dr. Pengwang Zhai "Remote Sensing of Aerosols and Ocean Color with Multi-Angle Polarimeters and Spectro-Radiometers"... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/138051/guest@my.umbc.edu/45f30075ff2a4a00d24a3f11581392f0/api/pixel Physics https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/original.jpg?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/large.png?1520366549 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/medium.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/small.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxsmall.png?1520366549 Physics 1 0 false Sun, 07 Jan 2024 16:40:42 -0500 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:44:28 -0500 Dr. Deffner attends selective workshop in Vatican City Sebastian Deffner, associate professor of physics, attended "Quantum Science and Technology: Recent Advances and New Perspectives," a workshop hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in Vatican City from November 30 to December 2. Deffner was among only about 70 global experts invited to the workshop, and the guest list included numerous Nobel laureates.

"The leading experts in quantum science met in a unique place for a unique workshop to discuss the past, present, and future of quantum technologies," Deffner says of the workshop.

For Deffner, it was an exciting and rare opportunity. The invitation recognizes his leadership role in developing the young field of quantum thermodynamics on an international scale. In 2019, he co-authored the first textbook focused on the subject, and his research group consistently contributes to the research literature.

Recordings of talks from the workshop are available here.

Please see the UMBC news release for more details. ]]> Sebastian Deffner, associate professor of physics, attended "Quantum Science and Technology: Recent Advances and New Perspectives," a workshop hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/137746/guest@my.umbc.edu/cb56a4332caf6be6af7ae8d2a6ed24f4/api/pixel Physics https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/original.jpg?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/large.png?1520366549 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/medium.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/small.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxsmall.png?1520366549 Physics https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/746/65f11885505de8a09952fb95503481ca/xxlarge.jpg?1702496253 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/746/65f11885505de8a09952fb95503481ca/xlarge.jpg?1702496253 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/746/65f11885505de8a09952fb95503481ca/large.jpg?1702496253 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/746/65f11885505de8a09952fb95503481ca/medium.jpg?1702496253 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/746/65f11885505de8a09952fb95503481ca/small.jpg?1702496253 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/746/65f11885505de8a09952fb95503481ca/xsmall.jpg?1702496253 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/746/65f11885505de8a09952fb95503481ca/xxsmall.jpg?1702496253 0 0 false Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:57:15 -0500 Thu, 22 Feb 2024 09:03:43 -0500 PhD student Carson Evans stores quantum entanglement! Entangled photons display counterintuitive correlations that are stronger than anything allowed by classical physics - something Einstein once called "spooky action at a distance". They are now recognized as a key resource for the ongoing quantum information revolution, and the 2022 Nobel prize for physics was awarded for experiments with entangled photons.

Technological and scientific advances have made the production of entangled photons relatively easy, but storing them in quantum memories has remained a significant challenge. In a recent Letter in Physical Review A, a team led by UMBC PhD student Carson Evans report on an experimental demonstration of storing quantum entanglement in a broadband loop-based quantum memory device. Roughly speaking, the experiment showed that entangled photons remained entangled after the storage, which represents a crucial requirement for scaling-up towards a future "quantum internet".

"We're thrilled about our memory's performance and the possible avenues of study it opens for us", says Evans. "Next steps involve expanding our quantum memory toolbox and showcasing more sophisticated quantum information protocols."

"Experimental storage of photonic polarization entanglement in a broadband loop-based quantum memory", C.J. Evans, C.M. Nunn, S.W.L Cheng, J.D. Franson, and T.B. Pittman
Phys. Rev. A 108, L050601 (2023)


]]> Entangled photons display counterintuitive correlations that are stronger than anything allowed by classical physics - something Einstein once called "spooky action at a distance". They are now... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/137331/guest@my.umbc.edu/0489ccdd7366197ee00ba284282d33b5/api/pixel Physics https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/original.jpg?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/large.png?1520366549 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/medium.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/small.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxsmall.png?1520366549 Physics https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/331/0cb55c1e0f0d7765bfb602ffd93543ae/xxlarge.jpg?1701182178 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/331/0cb55c1e0f0d7765bfb602ffd93543ae/xlarge.jpg?1701182178 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/331/0cb55c1e0f0d7765bfb602ffd93543ae/large.jpg?1701182178 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/331/0cb55c1e0f0d7765bfb602ffd93543ae/medium.jpg?1701182178 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/331/0cb55c1e0f0d7765bfb602ffd93543ae/small.jpg?1701182178 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/331/0cb55c1e0f0d7765bfb602ffd93543ae/xsmall.jpg?1701182178 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/331/0cb55c1e0f0d7765bfb602ffd93543ae/xxsmall.jpg?1701182178 carson evans 1 0 false Tue, 28 Nov 2023 09:48:42 -0500 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:34:10 -0500 Dr. Deffner named inaugural QLab Fellow Associate Professor Dr. Deffner has been named an inaugural fellow of the National Quantum Laboratory at Maryland (QLlab). QLab, is a new user facility of the University of Maryland, College Park in partnership with IonQ Inc, a leading developer of quantum computing devices.

QLab provides unique research and teaching opportunities using innovative technologies in the field of quantum computing to serve the scientific user community at UMCP and beyond. In concert with other quantum initiatives at UMCP, QLab provides a supporting infrastructure for an innovation ecosystem for quantum technologies and offers a supporting environment for thought leadership to come together for the exchange/sharing of ideas in the evolving space of quantum technologies.

As a QLab Fellow, Dr. Deffner has been granted facilitated access to IonQ personnel, a startup package in IonQ compute credits for use in research and/or educational activities (with opportunities to apply for additional resources), time reservations on IonQ machines, and an ability to sponsor new users and projects outside QLab formal solicitations, subject to QLab approval. ]]> Associate Professor Dr. Deffner has been named an inaugural fellow of the National Quantum Laboratory at Maryland (QLlab). QLab, is a new user facility of the University of Maryland, College Park... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/137261/guest@my.umbc.edu/8434fd8dc01b03193fb98de557b31e47/api/pixel Physics https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/original.jpg?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/large.png?1520366549 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/medium.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/small.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxsmall.png?1520366549 Physics https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/261/b9bf637b7cea67f508407de20d2c802c/xxlarge.jpg?1700660640 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/261/b9bf637b7cea67f508407de20d2c802c/xlarge.jpg?1700660640 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/261/b9bf637b7cea67f508407de20d2c802c/large.jpg?1700660640 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/261/b9bf637b7cea67f508407de20d2c802c/medium.jpg?1700660640 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/261/b9bf637b7cea67f508407de20d2c802c/small.jpg?1700660640 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/261/b9bf637b7cea67f508407de20d2c802c/xsmall.jpg?1700660640 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/261/b9bf637b7cea67f508407de20d2c802c/xxsmall.jpg?1700660640 1 0 false Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:46:06 -0500 Neranga Hannadige & Jianyu Zheng successfully defend! Congratulations to Atmospheric Physics PhD candidates Neranga Kaluappuwa Hannadige and Jianyu (Kevin) Zheng!

Neranga defended her PhD dissertation on November 9, 2023. Her dissertation was titled "Remote Sensing of Aerosols and Ocean Color with Multi-Angle Polarimeters and Spectro-Radiometers". She will be working as a postdoctoral scientist at SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research.

Kevin defended his PhD dissertation on November 10, 2023. His dissertation was titled "Characteristics of dust aerosol properties using CALIOP and thermal infrared satellite observations". He will be working as a postdoctoral research assistant in GESTAR II.

]]> Congratulations to Atmospheric Physics PhD candidates Neranga Kaluappuwa Hannadige and Jianyu (Kevin) Zheng! Neranga defended her PhD dissertation on November 9, 2023. Her dissertation was... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/137234/guest@my.umbc.edu/74f53227bc3440a7844ceeb6ea0ffd54/api/pixel Physics https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/original.jpg?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/large.png?1520366549 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/medium.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/small.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxsmall.png?1520366549 Physics https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/234/e2a46efbd9bffcfb9e412faf3149bd0d/xxlarge.jpg?1700575753 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/234/e2a46efbd9bffcfb9e412faf3149bd0d/xlarge.jpg?1700575753 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/234/e2a46efbd9bffcfb9e412faf3149bd0d/large.jpg?1700575753 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/234/e2a46efbd9bffcfb9e412faf3149bd0d/medium.jpg?1700575753 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/234/e2a46efbd9bffcfb9e412faf3149bd0d/small.jpg?1700575753 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/234/e2a46efbd9bffcfb9e412faf3149bd0d/xsmall.jpg?1700575753 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/234/e2a46efbd9bffcfb9e412faf3149bd0d/xxsmall.jpg?1700575753 Neranga Kaluappuwa Hannadige, Jianyu (Kevin) Zheng 2 0 false Tue, 21 Nov 2023 09:11:01 -0500 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:35:22 -0500 Walk the Loop Group Fun: November Physics folks welcome visitors from Frostburg State University and enjoy a walk around Hilltop Circle on Nov. 17, 2023.




]]> Physics folks welcome visitors from Frostburg State University and enjoy a walk around Hilltop Circle on Nov. 17, 2023. https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/137174/guest@my.umbc.edu/edce5ebb426f5353ac3c59cdac5e0d10/api/pixel Physics https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/original.jpg?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/large.png?1520366549 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/medium.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/small.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxsmall.png?1520366549 Physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/174/4f7c2f91e20703645b8d1c2b5113e263/xxlarge.jpg?1700250958 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/174/4f7c2f91e20703645b8d1c2b5113e263/xlarge.jpg?1700250958 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/174/4f7c2f91e20703645b8d1c2b5113e263/large.jpg?1700250958 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/174/4f7c2f91e20703645b8d1c2b5113e263/medium.jpg?1700250958 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/174/4f7c2f91e20703645b8d1c2b5113e263/small.jpg?1700250958 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/174/4f7c2f91e20703645b8d1c2b5113e263/xsmall.jpg?1700250958 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/174/4f7c2f91e20703645b8d1c2b5113e263/xxsmall.jpg?1700250958 walk the loop attendees 0 0 false Fri, 17 Nov 2023 14:58:33 -0500 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:45:37 -0500 Lost in Space-Time As part of the Lost in Space-Time series of the New Scientist, Associate Professor Sebastian Deffner explains Quantum Darwinism in simple terms. Lost in Space-Time, is a monthly dispatch on the biggest ideas in the cosmos. In the November issue, Dr. Deffner explained why everything looks normal to our point of view, despite the fact that the quantum realm is full of strange effects.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2400473-why-the-quantum-universe-is-weirder-than-you-think/ ]]> As part of the Lost in Space-Time series of the New Scientist, Associate Professor Sebastian Deffner explains Quantum Darwinism in simple terms. Lost in Space-Time, is a monthly dispatch on the... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/137071/guest@my.umbc.edu/a98845a3610cc3f154401c380d96abcf/api/pixel Physics https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/original.jpg?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xlarge.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/large.png?1520366549 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/medium.png?1520366549 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/small.png?1520366549 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xsmall.png?1520366549 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/602/92740316e784a1ffbc6263cda396b05a/xxsmall.png?1520366549 Physics https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/071/599c7da3a8060e730b3099876f451387/xxlarge.jpg?1699978379 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/071/599c7da3a8060e730b3099876f451387/xlarge.jpg?1699978379 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/071/599c7da3a8060e730b3099876f451387/large.jpg?1699978379 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/071/599c7da3a8060e730b3099876f451387/medium.jpg?1699978379 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/071/599c7da3a8060e730b3099876f451387/small.jpg?1699978379 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/071/599c7da3a8060e730b3099876f451387/xsmall.jpg?1699978379 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/071/599c7da3a8060e730b3099876f451387/xxsmall.jpg?1699978379 0 0 false Tue, 14 Nov 2023 11:29:44 -0500 Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:45:49 -0500