Larry Isenhower

I earned a BS physics degree from Abilene Christian University in 2005 and a Ph. D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2010 in atomic physics. I was part of Thad Walker and Mark Saffman’s group working on building a quantum computer based on highly excited atomic states (Rydberg states). We achieved the first CNOT quantum gate between individually addressed neutral atoms during this time. I then had a postdoc and a research scientist position there working on scaling up this technology to larger numbers of qubits. In 2014 I was hired as an assistant professor at Abilene Christian University. My teaching focus has been on astronomy, modern, optics, and our capstone course sequence. This last year I became the Director of Physics for the Engineering and Physics department. I have supported our local SPS club since I came to ACU and became the faculty sponsor in 2017. Our club works hard to connect with area middle and elementary schools through a traveling roadshow and hosting other events on campus. I most enjoy mentoring students as they learn about the wonders of the universe we live in.