Each month, the CQE highlights one of its corporate partners in a short Q&A focused on the company’s vision, their goals for engaging with the CQE community, and more. Today, we offer an interview with Scott Yano, the chief technology officer of the cryogenic equipment company Lake Shore Cryotronics.
Q: What is your vision for the future of quantum technologies and how Lake Shore Cryotronics will contribute?
A: Our vision is one where experimental scientists, engineers, and a manufacturing ecosystem collaborate to bring practical quantum technologies to market faster. All three groups are required to overcome challenges to enable a quantum future. As for how we’ll contribute, Lake Shore will continue to work with our customers to identify the sensors, instrumentation, and cryogenic characterization solutions used to develop and validate the performance of the necessary core technology for quantum hardware. For instance, our sensors are located in dilution refrigerators monitoring superconducting qubit systems operating at 10 to 20 milli-Kelvin, and our ultra-high vacuum cryostats are being used for some interesting trapped ion research. We are very excited to continue to work with our quantum customers to help them overcome their challenges.
Q: When recruiting new quantum talent, what are the top skills or qualities you seek?
A: We seek engineers, physicists, and technicians who have a strong foundation in math and science who can demonstrate using those skills to solve problems while also being able to learn new skills at a high velocity. It is rare that we hire someone with past quantum or cryogenic experience, so the ability to leverage current knowledge while learning new technologies is key.
Q: How are you engaging with the CQE community and the Chicagoland quantum ecosystem?
A: Lake Shore actively engages with the community by participating in CQE events like the Chicago Quantum Summit and quantum-focused workshops, both as an attendee and as a content provider. More importantly, Lake Shore collaborates with CQE members on scientific proposals for new technology development through commitments of support and as an industry partner.
Q: What is your company’s proudest moment to date?
A: As a 55-year-old company, it is impossible to identify a single proudest moment. Lake Shore products have enabled numerous space missions, fundamental physics experiments, and the development of novel materials that advance technology. I would say one of the best parts about working for Lake Shore is when I read a scientific publication on a new development where Lake Shore products are used. I am very proud to say that I have hundreds of those opportunities each year!
Q: What’s one fun fact you’d like the public to know about your company or your team?
A: Because of Lake Shore’s name, a lot of people assume our company is headquartered near one of the Great Lakes, like Lake Erie or perhaps in Chicago next to Lake Michigan. Well, we’re not! Our headquarters are in central Ohio with hundreds of acres of farmland between us and the nearest large body of water. Our name pays homage to a much smaller lake — Findley Lake in western New York state, where our company’s founders, John and David Swartz, grew up.