As we wrap up 2022, the 20th year of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), we're taking the opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of our community and recognize some of the highlights of the year.
What happens when a computer makes a ‘typo’ or error at the very fundamental level – if a zero accidentally becomes a one? In classical computers, we can use repetition in the binary signals to make computers tolerant to faults such as these.
We are led to create a massive and large spatial quantum superposition to probe the quantum nature of gravity in a laboratory. In particular, to witness the quantum entanglement mediated via the quantum nature of gravity, we will need to prepare a pure quantum state of mass 10^{-15} -10^{-14}Kg with a spatial quantum superposition of 10-100 microns and a coherence time of nearly 1-2 seconds. ...
The creation of a material that absorbs the majority, if not all light, would improve the effectiveness of health-related equipment. Michael Reimer, a faculty member at the Institute for Quantum Computing and researcher in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, has set his sights on creating an artificially engineered material, known as a metamaterial, to do just that.
Motivated by quantum network applications over classical channels, we initiate the study of n-party resource states from which LOCC protocols can create EPR-pairs between any k disjoint pairs of parties. ...
Tales Rick Perche sees his research at the University of Waterloo as part of his lifelong search for truth.
A number of astrophysical and cosmological observations suggest that roughly 85% of the matter in the Universe is composed of dark matter, presumed to be a particle outside the standard model of particle physics. Direct detection experiments look for signatures of a dark matter particle scattering with a sensitive detector; of the different technologies used for this, cryogenic detectors are well-suited for detecting low-mass dark matter due to their low energy thresholds.
Abstract: This presentation will introduce some of the experimental approaches to building topological qubits and the theories supporting current research. Beginning from the early toy models that first proposed the formation of Majorana bound states, I aim to convey an understanding of why topological qubits are so resistant to decoherence. I will introduce the “ingredients” necessary to build a Majorana device and some of the challenges involved. Finally, I will discuss the field's current state and what might be next on the journey to making topological quantum computing a reality. Neither an understanding of topology nor quantum algorithms are necessary to enjoy this talk!
Abstract: I will be talking about the connections between electrical circuits and stabilizer qudit quantum circuits with an eye towards applications to qudit quantum error correction. More formally I will be defining a category dubbed Kirchhoff relations and characterize the maps in this category using parity check matrices. I will then go on to give a universal set of generators for this category and interpret these generators in-terms of electrical elements.
This is work in progress.
The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is proud to congratulate Benjamin MacLellan, a PhD student in IQC and Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo, for being selected as a Vanier Scholar this year.