Title:
Solid-State
Quantum
Platforms:
Bloch
Exciton-Polaritons
and
Rydberg
Excitons
The first quantum revolution in the 20th century has transformed our lifestyles remarkably with triumphant scientific discoveries, original and powerful inventions, and advanced technologies. Now we are thrilled to be at the heart of Quantum Revolution 2.0, witnessing the incredible progress in quantum science and technology. Our group has been pursuing theoretical and experimental research activities to develop solid-state quantum technologies via the control of the light-matter interactions and electronic properties. Here, I introduce two exciting material systems with which we aim to construct quantum simulators: exciton-polaritons and Rydberg excitons. I discuss the lessons we recently learn from exciton-polaritons in engineered lattices towards the search of exotic quantum phases arising from the interplay of spin, orbital, topology, and interactions. And I will share our recent study about the optical scaling behavior of Rydberg excitons as a promising quantum system that can operate at high temperatures.
Biography:
Dr. Na Young Kim is Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, a member of Institute for Quantum Computing and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo. She leads Quantum Innovation (QuIN) laboratory, aiming to build large-scale quantum processors based on solid-state materials and advanced photonic and electronic technologies. Her research interests lie in the fields of quantum electronics, quantum optics, cavity quantum electrodynamics, condensed matter physics, and quantum information science and technology. She received a BS in Physics from Seoul National University and pursued her graduate studies exploring mesoscopic transport properties in low-dimensional nanostructures in the Department of Applied Physics at Stanford University. During her postgraduate research, she expanded her scope to the fields of quantum optics and nanophotonics, working on several experimental and theoretical projects. Prior to joining University of Waterloo in 2016, Dr. Kim was at Apple Inc., working on the development of small display products, where she got to experience delivering beloved products to world-wide consumers. She is a recipient of the Ontario Early Researcher Award and AKPA Outstanding Young Research award. She published more than 30 peer-reviewed papers, delivered over 90 invited talks at international venues, and organized international conferences to support the promotion of quantum science and technologies.