Dr. Alexei Vladimirovich Sokolov

Alexei Sokolov obtained his Physics Ph.D. in 2001 from Stanford University. He joined the Texas A&M faculty the same year and currently holds a Professor position in Physics and Astronomy, and a Stephen Harris Professorship in Quantum Optics. Prof. Alexei Sokolov has made pioneering contributions to the field of molecular physics. In particular, his field-opening work on molecular coherence, wherein an ensemble of molecules vibrates in unison, enabled Sokolov's first-ever detection of anthrax in real-time. This achievement evolved from Sokolov's foundational work on maximal coherence preparation and usage, i.e., on tailoring light pulses to make a number of molecules vibrate in unison and then utilizing these coherent vibrations to control light. Sokolov's current research interests include applications of molecular coherence to quantum optics, ultrafast laser science and technology, chemistry, biology and medicine.