I’m Daiki Kawasaki, a first-year master’s student in the Danshita group at Kindai University in Higashi-Osaka, Japan. I’m focusing on theoretical studies of quantum spin models using Rydberg-atom quantum simulators.This September, prior to the 2026 ASPIRE Symposium, I visited Prof. Antoine Browaeys’s group at Institut d’Optique and Pasqal, both located in Paris.

On September 24, I visited Prof. Browaeys’s group at Institut d’Optique. I attended two seminars given by Prof. Danshita and Dr. Matsubara, in which they presented their recent research. I was also introduced to four ongoing research projects in the group, including experiments with Rydberg atoms and dysprosium (Dy) atoms.

After the lab tour, Prof. Danshita and I had the opportunity to discuss our recent work directly with Prof. Antoine Browaeys, Prof. Thierry Lahaye, and Dr. Mu Qiao. We exchanged ideas on our theoretical work and discussed its possible experimental relevance and future directions. It was super exciting to see their state-of-the-art quantum simulators firsthand.

On the morning of September 25, I visited Pasqal and had discussions with theoretical researchers at the company. We discussed the quantum simulation of frustrated magnetism using a 256-qubit Rydberg-atom quantum simulator.It was a great opportunity to discuss this exciting recent study directly with the researchers involved.

In the afternoon, I also had some time to explore Paris and experience the city before continuing with the ASPIRE symposium.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone at Institut d’Optique and Pasqal for warmly welcoming us. I am also sincerely grateful to everyone involved in the ASPIRE project for organizing these visits and providing me with such a wonderful experience.