Les Houches Cold Atoms 2026

Measurement and dissipation in cold atomic systems

October 26 - November 6, 2026

Les Houches

About

This doctoral school will explore current and emerging topics in quantum optics, ultra-cold atoms & molecules, quantum simulation, and photonics, offering a program of lectures, seminars, hands-on sessions, poster sessions, and societal evening discussions. The program will promote interdisciplinary exchange, with contributions from experts across theory and experiment and special care will be taken to include several lectures from a young generation alongside more senior and established scientists.

This school will gather early graduate students to provide training on ultracold atomic systems. After a series of lectures on general aspects of the field (laser cooling, quantum degenerate gases, cold ions…), it will provide a special emphasis on dissipation and the effect of measurement on quantum systems. Fundamental aspects of open quantum systems will be discussed. In the context of quantum technologies, limits caused by dissipation, mitigation techniques, and methods to harness dissipation as a resource will be highlighted.

Organizers

Martin Robert-de-Saint-Vincent - Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers, CNRS, Villetaneuse
Marion Delehaye - Institut Femto-ST, CNRS, Besançon
email: houchescoldatoms2026@gmail.com

Topics

Optical Lattices

Open quantum systems

Atom Interferometry

Trapped Ion Quantum Computing

Rydberg Atoms

Optomechanics

Ion cooling and trapping

Dissipation in quantum gases

Quantum computing

Bose-Einstein Condensates

Hybrid quantum platforms

Quantum Entanglement in Cold Atoms

Atomic clocks

Laser Cooling and Trapping

Speakers

Caroline Champenois

Aix-Marseille University

Ion trapping and cooling

Jean-Philippe Brantut

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Dissipation in quantum gases

Jonathan Home

ETH Zurich

Quantum computing with dissipation

Juliette Billy

University of Toulouse

Optical lattices for ultracold atoms

Lauriane Chomaz

Heidelberg University

Laser Cooling and quantum gases

Leonardo Mazza

University of Paris-Saclay

Theory of open quantum systems

Philipp Treutlein

University of Basel

Atom-based hybrid quantum platforms

Robin Corgier

Observatoire de Paris

Atomic interferometers

Rodolphe Le Targat

Observatoire de Paris

Atomic Clocks

Wenchao Xu

ETH Zurich

Rydberg atoms

Practical Info

Premises

The school provides you with:

a library with the main scientific journals (paper or online) and some reference books
an open space with many blackboards
a video projector
an automated video capture system
a photocopy machine
Internet (wifi + hubs to connect laptops to the local network)
desktop computers (5 PCs) and a B&W Laser Printer
3 washing machines and 3 dryers.
Three meals a day in our restaurant

Lodging

Participants are housed in “chalets” in individual bedrooms (electricity: AC, 50Hz, 220V).

A flashlight is handy at night ; the school chalets are scattered on the mountainside and outside lights may be poor (power failures, storms,…).
The altitude of the school is 1150 m.
You will be housed in single rooms with your own bathroom/toilets.
Towels, shampoo, soap, shower gel and hair-dryer are provided.

Meals

Meals are taken at the school dining room. Drinks are not included. Free coffee & tea is available in the bar and in the main building.

Breakfast: 7:45 am to 8:45 am
Lunch: 12:30 pm
Dinner: 7:30 pm

The cafeteria has a piano, table soccer and table tennis.

Location

149 Route de la Côte des Chavants, 74310 Les Houches

View on Map

Access

Please find all the information on Les Houches' official website.

Additional Transport Info

Access to the school