Amir Yacoby

Amir Yacoby
EducationWeizmann Institute of Science
Scientific career
FieldsCondensed matter physics
WorkplacesHarvard University
University of Waterloo
Academic advisors
Mordehai Heiblum

Amir Yacoby (born around 1964) is a condensed matter physicist and professor at Harvard University.

His work is focused on investigation techniques for quantum matter, such as quantum sensing with quantum dots and color centers (see Nitrogen-vacancy center), and on quantum computing.

Education

Yacoby got bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering and a master’s degree in theoretical physics. In 1994, he obtained his PhD at Weizmann Institute of Science under the supervision of Professor Moty Heiblum.

Career

In 2006, Yacoby started teaching at Harvard. He was appointed as the Lazaridis Chair in Physics of the Institute for Quantum Computing in 2013. In March 2014, his group developed a magnetic resonance imaging technology by which nanoscale images can be provided, that could enable researchers to peer into the atomic structure of individual molecules. In 2014, Yacoby was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Amir Yacoby is co-founder of the start-up Quantum Elements, which was founded in 2023 in Los Angeles. It is offering a "quantum development software stack" for simulation of quantum computing hardware.

In September 2026, it was announced that Yacoby would be appointed as inaugural "Ray Dolby Professor of Theoretical and Experimental Physics" at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge.

References

  1. ↑ "Amir Yacoby – NAS". nasonline. Retrieved October 1, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Amir Yacoby". physics.harvard.edu. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Institute for Quantum Computing adds former CSA chief, Harvard professor". University of Waterloo. September 9, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  4. ↑ "MRI, on a molecular scale: Team develops system that could peer into atomic structure of individual molecules". Phys.org. April 18, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  5. ↑ Kat Zambon (November 24, 2014). "New AAAS Fellows Recognized for Their Contributions to Advancing Science". American Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Quantum Elements Launches AI-native Platform for Quantum Software and Hardware Development". HPCwire. October 22, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Platform Features". Quantum Elements. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Professor Amir Yacoby appointed inaugural Ray Dolby Professor of Theoretical and Experimental Physics". Cavendish Laboratory Department of Physics. September 25, 2026. Retrieved October 1, 2026.