Keith C. Schwab

Keith C. Schwab is a Professor of Applied Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He holds a B.A. from the University of Chicago (1990) and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (1996). Prior to his current position, he worked as a Senior Physicist at the National Security Agency (2000–2006) and was a Professor of Physics at Cornell University (2006–2009). His research focuses on quantum-limited measurements, ultra-low temperature physics, superfluid physics, quantum device development, and nanotechnology.

Education:

• B.A. in Physics, University of Chicago, 1990
• Ph.D. in Physics, University of California, Berkeley, 1996

Research Interests:

• Quantum-limited measurements and quantum devices
• Superfluid helium-4 interferometers and qubits
• Ultra-sensitive microwave measurement techniques
• Applications of 2D nanomaterials in quantum systems
• Quantum transduction between microwave and optical domains

Recent work emphasizes developing Josephson junctions in superfluid helium-4 to create quantum devices like interferometers and qubits, leveraging advancements in 2D nanomaterials. His publications explore quantum squeezing, thermoelectric nanophotonics, and gravitational wave detection using superfluid systems.

He has served as Fletcher Jones Foundation Co-Director of the Kavli Nanoscience Institute (2013–2015) and currently teaches the APh 114 Solid-State Physics course at Caltech. His research has been highlighted in news features such as Seeing Quantum Motion and Tricking the Uncertainty Principle.

Labs/Teams: Active in quantum nanotechnology research groups at Caltech, focusing on experimental quantum systems and low-temperature physics.