Faculty

En francais

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is proud to congratulate Jack deGooyer, Caroline de Lima Vargas Simões and Sarah Odinotski, IQC PhD students who were awarded the 2024 Vanier Scholarship, one of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships available in Canada for PhD students.

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Algebraic Methods in Quantum Compiling

IQC Seminar - Sarah Meng Li - University of Amsterdam, Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI)

Quantum-Nano Centre, 200 University Ave West, Room QNC 0101 Waterloo, ON CA N2L 3G1

: Quantum compiling translates a quantum algorithm into a sequence of elementary operations. There exists a correspondence between certain quantum circuits and matrices over some number rings. This number-theoretic perspective reveals important properties of gate sets and leads to improved quantum compiling protocols. Here, we demonstrate several algebraic methods in quantum circuit characterization and optimization, based on my master’s research at IQC.

First, we design two improved synthesis algorithms for Toffoli-Hadamard circuits, achieving an exponential reduction in circuit size. Second, we define a unique normal form for qutrit Clifford operators. This allows us to find a set of relations that suffice to rewrite any qutrit Clifford circuit to its normal form, adding to the family of number-theoretic characterization of quantum operators.

En francais

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo is pleased to congratulate IQC Canada Inc., for receiving $18.4 M in funding from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Strategic Science Fund (SSF). The fund aims to mobilize the expertise and resources of independent, third-party science and research organizations to enhance Canada’s science technology and innovation excellence.

En francais

After multiple years of prototyping, testing, and simulating the conditions of outer space in labs at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), Dr. Thomas Jennewein and members of his research group are celebrating their next big milestone — their quantum source is finished and ready to be incorporated into the Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat). The quantum source, called by the project’s full name, Reference-Frame Independent Quantum Communication for Satellite-Based Networks (ReFQ), is the result of a joint collaboration between Canada and the United Kingdom.

Thursday, May 16, 2024 10:30 am - 11:30 am EDT (GMT -04:00)

Long-lived transmons with different electrode layouts

IQC Seminar - Universty of Maryland

Quantum-Nano Centre, 200 University Ave West, Room QNC 1201 Waterloo, ON CA N2L 3G1

 In the realm of quantum computing,non-equilibrium quasiparticle tunneling may be a significant loss mechanism in transmon qubits. Understanding the behavior of these quasiparticles across junctions may lead to improved qubit devices . One approach involves the fabrication of asymmetric transmons through gap-engineering techniques aimed at mitigating quasiparticle tunneling and subsequent loss. In our research, we have conducted repeated measurements of the relaxation time (T1) in Al/AlOx/Al transmons featuring electrodes with varying superconducting gap values. Specifically, one device utilized a first-layer electrode formed via thermal evaporation of nominally pure Al, while the counter-electrode incorporated oxygen-doped Al. This device exhibited notable fluctuations in T1, ranging from approximately 100 μs to slightly over 300 μs at 20 mK. Additionally, we explored different configurations of junction layouts in an effort to enhance device performance.

En francais

Congratulations to Dr. Rajibul Islam, a faculty member at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, who has been awarded the 2024 Excellence in Science Teaching Award.

This annual award, selected by the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Science, recognizes instructors who have demonstrated sustained, high-quality teaching in their undergraduate or graduate courses.