Relatively Certain

Software just might be the unsung hero of physics labs. In this episode of Relatively Certain, Dina sits down with JQI postdoctoral researcher and programming aficionado Chris Billington to talk about his passion project—a piece of experimental control software that’s gaining popularity in labs here at the University of Maryland and around the world.The tool, called labscript, is a testament to the strengths of open source programming. It was originally developed by Billington in collaboration with Philip Starkey, Martijn Jasperse, Shaun Johnstone, and Russell Anderson in the labs of Lincoln Turner and Kristian Helmerson at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.Billington would like to dedicate this episode to Shaun Johnstone, who passed away while it was in production.This episode of Relatively Certain was produced by Dina Genkina, Chris Cesare, and Emily Edwards. It features music by Dave Depper and Podington Bear. Relatively Certain is a production of the Joint Quantum Institute, a research partnership between the University of Maryland and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. You can find it on iTunes, Google Play or Soundcloud. Relatively Certain and the Joint Quantum Institute do not intend to endorse the products discussed in this podcast.