Faculty

Stacey Jeffery, QuSoft, Research Centre for Quantum Software

A random walk on a graph, P, with marked vertex set M, finds a marked vertex using a O(HT(P,M)) steps of the walk, where HT(P,M) is the hitting time. Previous quantum algorithms could detect the presence of a marked vertex in O(sqrt{HT(P,M)}) steps, or find a marked vertex in O(sqrt{HT(P,M)}) steps if M contained at most one vertex, but the case of finding in the presence of multiple marked vertices was left as an open problem.

Stefan Frick, University of Bristol, UK

Rangefinding has many applications in navigation, civil engineer, construction, military, surveillance and security. Most commonly rangefinders estimate the distance to an object by measuring the time of flight of light for the journey to and returning from the target. Conventional techniques use lasers for illumination in state of the art rangefinding systems. However, the particular state of light lasers produce makes them easy to detect.

PhD Seminar: Olivia Di Matteo

Quantum random-access memories (qRAM) are required by numerous quantum algorithms. In many cases, qRAM queries are the limiting factor in the implementation of these algorithms. In the limit of a large number of queries, there will be a massive resource overhead, as in this regime it is not possible to bypass the need for active error correction. In this talk, I will present our work towards quantifying this overhead. We will explore a variety of different qRAM circuits designed to query classical bits in superposition.

Speaker: Thomas K. Hunter and Neil Henderson

Abstract:

A lot of different concepts and possibilities have been discussed. The final session will recap those and put them in perspective, with emphasis on the relevance to a "typical" university start up and the people involved.

This is the final lecture in the CryptoWorks21 Intellectual Property (IP) Management Lunch and Learn Lecture Series. Knowledgeable speakers will give in-depth presentations that build on previous sessions.

Speaker: Viona M. Duncan

Abstract: We all want to be the nice guy, but we do not want to finish last. How should we respect the IP of others, particularly confidential information and what should we expect of others when we provide confidential information to them? Simple steps that can be taken to meet obligations and preserve confidentiality will be discussed. You may also have obligations to funding agencies and the University. The UW IP policy will be discussed along with issues of ownership and employee confidentiality.

Speaker: Heather Hoff

Abstract: Software is a key asset of any new business. How do you protect the results of weeks or months of hard labour? Who owns the software and how do I mange its development to ensure its inherent value is maintained? Should I use Open Source, or even contribute to Open Source? What are the benefits and how does this measure up against the risks?

Speaker: Neil Henderson

Abstract: The patent system provides a monopoly in return for disclosure of new technology. The disclosures (patent applications) are published and classified by technology to provide an extensive global resource available on line. Want to know how many patent applications Apple has for quantum cryptography? Who else is working in your area ? Does anyone hold a dominant position or are the rights widely distributed?

Crafting high-dimensional tools for photonic quantum networks with tailored nonlinear optics

John Donohue, Institute for Quantum Computing

The time-frequency degree of freedom of light offers an intrinsically high-dimensional encoding space which is naturally compatible with waveguide devices and fiber infrastructure. However, coherent manipulation and measurement the information-carrying modes presents a challenge due to the sub-picosecond timescales inherent to downconversion-based photon sources. In this talk, I will discuss methods based on ultrafast pulse shaping and sum-frequency generation to address these temporal modes.

Neil Turok, Perimeter Institute

Observations reveal the cosmos to be astonishingly simple, and yet deeply puzzling, on the largest accessible scales. Why is it so nearly symmetrical? Why is there a cosmological constant (or dark energy) and what fixes its value? How did everything we see emerge from a singular “point” in the past?

Wavelength selective thermal emitters using nitride quantum wells and photonic crystals

Dr. Dongyeon Daniel Kang, Kyoto University

Wavelength selective thermal emitters are highly desired for the development of the compact/energy-efficient spectroscopic sensing systems capable of detecting various gases such as CO_x, CH₄, and NO_x, which are strongly needed in environmental science, medical care, and other industrial applications. In addition, for the latter applications, dynamic control of thermal emission intensity is important for such emitters because synchronous detection can increase the signal-to-noise ratio significantly.