Friday 14 April is World Quantum Day and to celebrate I am in conversation with two physicists working at the forefront of quantum science and technology.

First up in this episode is Fermilab’s Anna Grassellino, who is director of the US Department of Energy’s Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS). She explains how the SQMS brings together people with a broad range of expertise – including materials science, microwave systems and particle physics – to create new quantum technologies. Grassellino also talks about how quantum sensors can be used to look for physics beyond the Standard Model.

Also in the podcast is Yasser Omar, who is coordinator of the Physics of Information and Quantum Technologies Group at the University of Lisbon and the president of the Portuguese Quantum Institute. He was also a founder of World Quantum Day and he describes some of the many events that are being held worldwide. Omar also explains why 14 April was chosen as World Quantum Day and talks about his own quantum research.