Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
Immanuel Bloch
Immanuel Bloch is scientific director at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching and holds a chair for experimental physics at the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich. His scientific work is among the most frequently cited in the field of quantum physics and has helped to open a new interdisciplinary research field at the interface of atomic physics, quantum optics, quantum information science and solid state physics. For his research, he has received numerous international awards, including the Körber European Science Prize, the Harvey Prize, the Zeiss Research Award, the Stern Gerlach Medal of the German Physical Society and was named Clarivate Citation Laureate in 2022 for work on quantum simulations.
The quote, shared as part of our Shape the Future series, captures why bold, unexpected thinking is key to driving the future forward.
Thinking outside the box involves questioning fundamental assumptions, being open to discussions with different people and viewpoints, and embracing curiosity! It also means being willing to accept failure—science isn’t engineering, and the possibility of things not working out is part of what makes it so exciting. Last but not least: try not to let administration bog you down!
