Aaron Young (PhDPhys’24) wins Theodore Hänsch Prize from Optica
CU ǸԹ alumnus Aaron Young (PhDPhys’24) is the 2026 recipient of in quantum optics.
The prestigious prize is awarded to early-career scientists for pioneering research on quantum technologies with goals of advancing basic research with meaningful global impact and transitioning ideas into commercial ventures.
Young was selected “for his work with ultrafast and high-resolution spatial light modulation for cold atoms,” according to Optica.
Named in honor of Nobel Laureate and Optica Honorary Member Theodor W. Hänsch, the prize is funded by Hamamatsu Photonics, MenloSystems, and Thorlabs. Young is the second CU ǸԹ alum to receive the award, following Raghavendra Srinivas (PhDPhys’20) who was selected in 2024.
Young completed his PhD in physics in 2024 under the mentorship of Professor and JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman, and he is now a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University.