Christian Boutan

Christian R. Boutan

Physicist — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
christian.boutan@pnnl.gov  ·  doctor.boutan@gmail.com
pnnl.gov/people/christian-boutan  ·  LinkedIn

Research Summary

I am a hands-on experimental physicist with experience in superconducting qubit characterization, dark matter cosmology, RF engineering, quantum sensing, digital/analog circuits, Fourier analysis, machining, and science communication. At PNNL I lead a growing team working on axion dark matter detection, machine learning for RF systems, and quantum information science. I enjoy demystifying physics for broader audiences.

Education

2017
Ph.D., Physics
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Dissertation: "A Piezoelectrically Tuned RF-Cavity Search for Dark Matter Axions" (Advisor: Prof. Gray Rybka)
2010
M.S., Physics
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2006
B.S., Physics; Minor in Mathematics
College of Charleston, Charleston, SC

Continuing Education

MIT xPRO

Dec 2021
Quantum Algorithms for Cybersecurity, Chemistry, and Optimization
Oct 2021
Introduction to Quantum Computing
Aug 2019
Requirements for Large-Scale Universal Quantum Computation
Jul 2019
Practical Realities of Quantum Computation and Quantum Communication

Professional Experience

2024 – present
Physicist IV
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
Leading the DOE Genesis Mission AQUA-WOLF project and QuantISED 2.0 research on KTWPAs for high-mass axion detection, while continuing to build tools for high-mass axion detection on the DOE Boutan ECRP.
2021 – 2024
Physicist III
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
Led scientific research for the Detection Physics Group within the National Security Directorate.
  • PI/project manager for DOE $2.5M Early Career project: "Towards a quantum-enhanced multi-cavity haloscope for high-mass QCD axion detection"
  • Spearheaded a new millikelvin microwave quantum sensing capability; demonstrated operation of transmon qubits and other superconducting devices (2022)
  • Advising role on multi-channel squeezed-state receiver project
  • Advising role on micro-cavities for axion detection project
2019 – 2021
Physicist II
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
  • PI/project manager of a quantum radar project focused on building a microwave quantum sensing capability at PNNL
  • PI/project manager of a cryogenic RF engineering LDRD project for high-mass axion dark matter detectors
  • Led global RF design for the ADMX multi-cavity upgrade
  • Developed a microwave cavity locking system for multi-cavity axion searches
  • Chaired weekly ADMX collaboration-wide warm/cryogenic electronics meeting
2017 – 2019
Postdoctoral Researcher
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
  • Drove axion detector design and implementation for searches above 2 GHz
  • Designed, built, and implemented an improved synthetic signal calibration system for ADMX
  • Contributed to development of FMCW radar systems for national defense
  • Developed a multi-cavity frequency locking technique
2011 – 2017
Research Associate
University of Washington, Department of Physics, Seattle, WA  (Advisor: Prof. Gray Rybka)
  • Designed and constructed a dual-channel microwave double heterodyne receiver
  • Wrote data-taking software and web interface for ADMX
  • Oversaw data taking and formulated science data run plan (Fall 2013 – Fall 2017)
  • Developed a pipeline for real-time analysis of incoming power spectra
  • Built a Synthetic Axion Generator for calibration
  • Designed and built "ADMX Sidecar" — a secondary high-frequency dark matter detector
  • Conducted R&D on piezoelectric resonator tuning and antenna coupling at cryogenic temperatures
2009 – 2011
Research Assistant
University of Washington, Department of Physics, Seattle, WA  (Advisor: Prof. Miguel Morales)
  • Studied noise characteristics of the ALFALFA survey to develop Epoch of Reionization detection techniques for the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA)
  • Developed expertise in radio interferometry, Fourier transforms, cross-correlations, self-calibration, and beam-forming
  • Helped advise undergraduates on the Gamma Ray Burst All-sky Spectrometer Experiment
2008 – 2012
Teaching Associate
University of Washington, Department of Physics, Seattle, WA
  • Taught advanced analog and digital circuits labs for physics majors (30 students each)
  • Led discussion section for intermediate Electricity & Magnetism (80 students)
  • Led lab on Modern Physical Measurement; tutorials and labs for introductory physics sequence (100+ students)

Awards & Honors

2026
DOE Genesis Mission — AQUA-WOLF
U.S. Department of Energy, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
PI of the Autonomous Quantum Amplifier Workflow Optimization and Learning Framework (AQUA-WOLF). Develops an autonomous AI agent that learns to operate quantum parametric amplifiers without human intervention, optimizing competing performance objectives including gain and noise, and demonstrating transferability across device types and institutions.
2025
QuantISED 2.0 Award — High Energy Physics
U.S. Department of Energy
Funding to pursue high magnetic field characterization of Kinetic Inductance Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifiers (KTWPAs) for axion dark matter detection.
2023
Early Career Research Program Award — $2.5M
High Energy Physics, U.S. Department of Energy
First PNNL scientist to receive this award in High Energy Physics. Five-year funding to develop a scalable strategy for discovering high-mass axions.
2022
Impact Core Value Award
National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
2020
Creativity Core Value Award
National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

In the Media

May 2025
Early Career Researchers Receive High Energy Physics Awards
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Feature on Boutan's QuantISED 2.0 collaboration with University of Colorado Boulder on quantum noise-limited amplifiers for high-mass axion searches. pnnl.gov
Jan 2024
A Leap in the Dark
College of Charleston Today
Feature on axion dark matter research and quantum sensing work at PNNL. today.charleston.edu
Aug 2023
Four PNNL Researchers Receive DOE Early Career Research Awards
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Feature on Boutan receiving PNNL's first Early Career Research Award in High Energy Physics. pnnl.gov
Sep 2022
New Superconducting Qubit Testbed Benefits Quantum Information Science Development
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Feature on PNNL's first functional superconducting qubit, assembled by Boutan. pnnl.gov

Patents

Aug 2009
Protractor for calculating miter and bevel angles for installing molding
U.S. Patent US 7,574,813 B1
Licensed to Wixey™ — Available on Amazon

Skills & Qualifications

Experimental: Dilution refrigerator, superconducting RF devices, cryogenics, vacuum systems, vector network analyzer, spectrum analyzer, digital/analog circuits, soldering, brazing, mill, lathe, laser cutter, TIG welding.

Computing: Python, HFSS, JavaScript, Lua, IDL, Mathematica, LaTeX, GIMP.

Professional Societies

2018 – present
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Chair, Richland Sensors Chapter (2022 – present)
Vice-Chair, Richland Sensors Chapter (2021 – 2022)
2012 – present
American Physical Society (APS)
2015
Acoustical Society of America (ASA)
Membership lapsed
2011
American Astronomical Society (AAS)
Membership lapsed

Peer Review

Physical Review Letters (PRL)
Physical Review D (PRD)
Physical Review X (PRX)

Service

Review Panelist, DOE HEP-QIS
"Quantum Outposts on the Energy and Intensity Frontiers"
Review Panelist, DOE Cosmic Frontier Comparative Review (×2)

Publications

2026
Gonski J. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Machine Learning on Heterogeneous, Edge, and Quantum Hardware for Particle Physics (ML-HEQUPP)." FERMILAB-PUB-26-0135-CSAID-ETD-PPD (2026). Submitted to PRX Quantum as a Roadmap.
Boutan C., Lentz E., Shiu C., Erdag D., Jones S., Van Vlack J., Howe L., Giachero A., Szypryt P., Vissers M., Austermann J., Hubmayr J., Knirck S., Bennett D., and Ullom J. "Operation of Unshielded Kinetic-Inductance Traveling-Wave Parametric Amplifiers in Multi-Tesla Fields." arXiv:2608.25328 (2026). Submitted to Applied Physics Letters.
2025
Engel A.W., C.R. Boutan, and T.C. Braine. "Identifying environmentally induced calibration changes in cryogenic RF axion detector systems using Deep Neural Networks." Rev. Sci. Instrum. 96, 123102 (2025).
ADMX Collaboration (incl. C. Boutan). "ADMX Axion Dark Matter Bounds around 3.3 µeV with DFSZ Discovery Ability." Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 111002 (2025).
Boutan C., Braine T., Lentz E., Oblath N.S., Taubman M.S. et al. (ADMX Collaboration). "Search for Axion Dark Matter from 1.1 to 1.3 GHz with ADMX." Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 191001 (2025).
Guzzetti M. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Improved receiver noise calibration for ADMX axion search: 4.54 to 5.41 µeV." Phys. Rev. D 111, 092012 (2025).
2024
Boutan C.R. et al. "Axion Dark Matter eXperiment: Run 1A Analysis Details." Phys. Rev. D 109, 012009 (2024).
Bartram C. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Nonvirialized Axion Search Sensitive to the Doppler Effects in the Milky Way Halo." Phys. Rev. D 109, 083014 (2024).
Chakrabarty S. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Low Frequency (100–600 MHz) Searches with Axion Cavity Haloscopes." Phys. Rev. D 109, 042004 (2024).
2023
Boutan C. et al. "Axions beyond Gen 2." Int. J. Mod. Phys. A 38, 2330012 (2023).
Nitta T. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Search for a Dark-Matter-Induced Cosmic Axion Background with ADMX." Phys. Rev. Lett. 131, 101002 (2023).
Bartram C. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Dark Matter Axion Search Using a Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier." Rev. Sci. Instrum. 94, 044703 (2023).
2022
Adams C.B. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Axion Dark Matter." arXiv:2203.14923 (2022).
Antypas D. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "New Horizons: Scalar and Vector Ultralight Dark Matter." arXiv:2203.14915 (2022).
Grando M.B., C.R. Boutan, and J. Yang. "A Multiport Approach to Thermal Noise and Scattering Parameter Simulation of Cryogenic Experiments." arXiv:2209.04008 (2022).
2021
Bartram C. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Search for Invisible Axion Dark Matter in the 3.3–4.2 µeV Mass Range." Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 261803 (2021).
Bartram C. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Axion Dark Matter Experiment: Run 1B Analysis Details." Phys. Rev. D 103, 032002 (2021).
Khatiwada R. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Axion Dark Matter eXperiment: Detailed Design and Operations." Rev. Sci. Instrum. 92, 124502 (2021).
2020
Braine T. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Extended Search for the Invisible Axion with the Axion Dark Matter Experiment." Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 101303 (2020).
2018
Boutan C.R. et al. "Piezoelectrically Tuned Multimode Cavity Search for Axion Dark Matter." Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 261302 (2018).
Du N. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Search for Invisible Axion Dark Matter with the Axion Dark Matter Experiment." Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 151301 (2018).
2017
Boutan C.R. "A Piezoelectrically Tuned RF-Cavity Search for Dark Matter Axions." Ph.D. dissertation, University of Washington (2017).
2016
Hoskins J. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Modulation sensitive search for nonvirialized dark-matter axions." Phys. Rev. D 94, 082001 (2016).
Sloan J.V. et al. (incl. C. Boutan). "Limits on axion–photon coupling or on local axion density." Phys. Dark Universe 14, 95–102 (2016).
2008
Oprisan S.A. and Boutan C. "Prediction of Entrainment and 1:1 Phase-Locked Modes in Two-Neuron Networks Based on the Phase Resetting Curve Method." Int. J. Neurosci. 118, 867–890 (2008).

Selected Talks

Dec 2025
Invited. SQMS Center Annual Meeting & "Exploring the Quantum Universe" Fermilab Quantum Symposium, Batavia, IL. "A Quantum-Enhanced Two-Cavity Haloscope for High-Mass QCD Axion Detection."
Mar 2026
Invited. APS Global Physics Summit 2026, Denver, CO. Presented by T.C. Braine. "ADMX-SIDETRAC: A Quantum-Enhanced Two-Cavity Haloscope for Improving High-Mass Axion Detection."
Mar 2026
Invited. APS Global Physics Summit 2026, Denver, CO. Presented by D. Erdag. "Operation of Unshielded Kinetic Inductance Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifiers in Multi-Tesla Magnetic Fields."
Oct 2025
Invited. Coordinating Panel on Advanced Detectors (CPAD) 2025, Philadelphia, PA. "A Quantum-Enhanced Two-Cavity Haloscope for High-Mass QCD Axion Detection."
Jun 2024
Invited. Gravitational Wave Astronomy Northwest Meeting 2024, Richland, WA. "Career Talk: 10 Years in 10 Slides."
Apr 2024
Invited. Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh April Meeting (virtual). "Hunting Dark Matter Axions in the X-Band."
Mar 2024
Invited. Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID. "Hunting Dark Matter Axions in the X-Band."
Mar 2024
Invited. Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society, PNNL, Richland, WA. "Hunting Dark Matter Axions in the X-Band."
Mar 2024
Invited. Council of Fellows, PNNL, Richland, WA. "Hunting Dark Matter Axions in the X-Band."
Nov 2024
Invited. Benedictine College Colloquium, Online. "DIY: Improvise an Axion Dark Matter Search with Spare Quantum Computer Parts and a Virtual-Nick."
May 2025
Invited. ML4FE Workshop, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI. "Exploring AI/ML Tools for Axion Dark Matter Detection."
Nov 2023
Invited. IEEE Sensors Council of Richland Chapter Seminar, WSU Tri-Cities, Richland, WA. "The Hunt for Dark Matter Axions."
Nov 2023
Invited. Virtual seminar (online). "The Hunt for Dark Matter Axions."
Sep 2023
Invited. Clemson University Physics & Astronomy Colloquium, Clemson, SC. "The Hunt for Dark Matter Axions."
Sep 2023
Invited. University of Maine Physics & Astronomy Colloquium, Orono, ME. "The Hunt for Dark Matter Axions."
Sep 2023
Invited. Bowdoin College Physics & Astronomy Colloquium, Brunswick, ME. "The Hunt for Dark Matter Axions."
Sep 2021
Invited seminar, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY. "Hunting Dark Matter with a Quantum Advantage."
Jun 2021
DOE High Energy Physics Comparative Review (virtual). "Searching for wave-like dark matter."
Oct 2020
Invited (with R.N. Saldanha), Online Conference. "Why and How We Search for Dark Matter."
Mar 2021
Invited. Rencontres de Moriond: Electroweak Interactions and Unified Theories, La Thuile, Italy. "The Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX): Past, Present, and Future."
Jan 2021
Workshop organizer, Axions Beyond Gen 2 (virtual).
Nov 2019
Invited seminar, MIT Laboratory for Nuclear Science, Cambridge, MA. "Axion Dark Matter eXperiment: new results, challenges at higher mass, and the need for quantum sensing."
Nov 2019
Invited seminar, Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory, Durham, NC. "The Hunt for Dark Matter Axions."
Nov 2019
Invited colloquium, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC. "The Dark Horse of the Dark Matter Hunt."
Oct 2019
Invited. IEEE NSS/MIC Quantum Technologies and Sensing Workshop, Manchester, UK. "Pushing dark matter axion detectors to higher frequencies with quantum sensors and microwave cavity networks."
Oct 2019
Invited seminar, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN. "Pushing Dark Matter Axion Haloscopes to Higher Mass with Quantum Sensing."
Jun 2019
Invited scientific plenary, PNNL NPAC Review, Richland, WA. "Sidecar and the Future of ADMX."
May 2019
Contributed, 2019 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium & Medical Imaging Conference (online). "Pushing Dark Matter Axion Detectors to Higher Frequencies with Quantum Sensors and Microwave Cavity Networks."
Apr 2019
Contributed, APS April Meeting, Denver, CO. "The Axion Dark Matter Experiment (ADMX) 4-cavity array."
Feb 2019
Invited seminar, Fermilab, Batavia, IL. "Searching for the Invisible Axion with ADMX."
Nov 2018
Contributed, IEEE NSS/MIC 2018, Sydney, Australia. "Hunting Dark Matter with the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX)."
Oct 2018
Invited "Pheno & Vino" seminar, Princeton University, NJ. "Hunting Dark Matter with ADMX."
Aug 2018
Invited, 3rd Workshop on Microwave Cavities and Detectors for Axion Research, LLNL. "ADMX Sidecar Results."
Mar 2018
Invited colloquium, University of British Columbia, Canada. "Hunting Dark Matter with ADMX."
Feb 2018
Contributed, UCLA Dark Matter 2018 Symposium, Los Angeles, CA. "The Axion Dark Matter eXperiment: Overview & Recent Results."
Feb 2017
Dissertation defense, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Aug 2015
Invited, Microwave Cavity Workshop, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. "Piezoelectric Tuning of Microwave Cavities for Axion Searches."
Apr 2015
Contributed, APS April Meeting, Baltimore, MD. "The ADMX Sidecar cavity and receiver-chain."
Apr 2014
Contributed, APS April Meeting, Savannah, GA. "The ADMX ultra-low noise receiver."
Apr 2013
Contributed, APS April Meeting, Denver, CO. "Calibration of the ADMX ultra low-noise receiver and real-time analysis."
Oct 2012
Contributed, Northwest Section of the APS, Vancouver, BC. "ADMX Receiver-Chain Calibration."

Additional ADMX collaboration meeting talks and CENPA seminar talks: 2012–2017.

Posters

May 2018
C. Boutan, M. Taubman, N.S. Oblath. "Pushing the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment to Higher Mass." PNNL NPAC Review, Richland, WA.
Oct 2006
Boutan C., Oprisan S.A. "Existence and stability criteria for ring neural networks of spiking neurons." 36th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Atlanta, GA.
Apr 2006
Boutan C., Oprisan S.A., Mills L. "Bifurcation Mapping to find Transitions Between Entrainment Modes in Small Neural Networks." School of Sciences and Mathematics Scientific Research Poster Session, College of Charleston.

Mentoring & Outreach

2019 – present
Principal Investigator & Mentor, PNNL
Fund and grow a research program in axion dark matter detection, quantum sensing, and machine learning for RF systems, mentoring postdocs, junior scientists, and students. Undergraduate interns mentored:
  • A. Davison (2026) — Reinforcement learning for autonomous quantum amplifier tuning
  • L. Buchholz (2026) — Qubit-based photon counting protocol development
  • J. Clavecillas (2026) — Machine learning for RF device characterization
  • D. Erdag (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026) — KTWPA characterization
  • B. Donis (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026) — Qubit characterization and piezoelectric motor debugging
  • J. Van Vlack (Spring 2025) — ADMX-SIDETRAC detector design
  • N. Koval (Fall 2024) — Qubit characterization and quantum protocols
  • J. Godinez (2024) — Machine learning for cavity mode tuning
2008 – 2017
Graduate Student Outreach, University of Washington
  • Organized CENPA lab tours for underserved high schoolers and undergraduates
  • Hosted social and networking events for incoming graduate students
  • Supervised undergraduates in coding, soldering, machining, and laser cutting projects
  • Performed live music at physics department events
  • Founded two musical groups of physics PhD students: "Christian and the Heathens" and "The CMB" (a Muse cover band)
Last updated September 2026  ·  christianboutan.com