Sae Woo Nam, a pioneering physicist at NIST known for his work on single-photon detectors, passed away in January 2024 at the age of 53 after a battle with brain cancer. During his 25-year career at NIST, Nam made groundbreaking contributions to single-photon detection technology, which has since been applied in various fields including quantum computing, dark matter research, and secure communications.
Nam and his colleagues developed the world’s most efficient single-photon detector in 2010, capable of detecting 99% of all photons that struck it. These detectors are now used worldwide for a wide range of scientific and technological applications, from building quantum computers to testing the foundations of quantum physics.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Nam was known for his humility, determination, and strong moral compass. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the NIST Jacob Rabinow Applied Research Award, the Arthur S. Flemming Award, and the Presidential Rank Award. His work was also cited in the 2022 Nobel Prize for Physics.
Outside of his scientific work, Nam was an avid athlete and foodie, enjoying rock climbing, mountain biking, ice hockey, snowboarding, and cooking with friends and colleagues. His passing has left a significant void at NIST and beyond, as he was deeply respected and admired by his peers for his scientific contributions and personal qualities.
Keywords: Detector, Photon, Superconducting, Quantum, Sensing
