Postdoctoral researcher Caitlin McCowan inspects pieces of silicon at the atomic level. She uses a scanning tunneling microscope to spot imperfections as part of a quantum research project at Sandia National Laboratories.
The Mountain West has been aggressively developing a regional quantum economy. On Jan. 24, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced legislation that would give quantum tech companies financial incentives for operating in the state.
Caitlin McCowan adjusts a customized scanning tunneling microscope at Sandia National Laboratories. Not only can this machine capture images of atoms, but it can also manipulate them.