Events

“Quantum physics” has taken its position with “rocket science” in pop culture as a shorthand for frighteningly complicated science. Quantum physics has also taken on a sort of magical connotation in fiction, with features like entanglement, superposition, and tunneling, spurring imagination. But where does the science draw the line? How much is joyful speculation, and how much is disregard for reality? And if it’s always seen as either magical or scary, how does that affect the perception of quantum science?

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.

David Snoke, University of Pittsburgh

Much of our intuition about light comes from our experience that light has very weak interaction with other light—a beam of light easily passes through another beam of light, so that the Star Wars scenes of “light sabers” bouncing off each other are just imaginary. But in solids, the properties of light can be changed dramatically, especially in solids that we design for new effects.

Security in the Quantum Future

Quantum theory is quickly becoming quantum technology.

Dr. John Donohue is a quantum physicist and science communicator, currently acting as the Scientific Outreach Manager at the Institute for Quantum Computing and University of Waterloo. He holds a PhD in Physics and Quantum Information, and has conducted research in quantum optics in Canada and Germany. At IQC, John works to break down quantum mechanics to its essence, through classes, workshops, activities, and exhibits. John is interested in how to “count” light by measuring photons, the individual and indivisible particles that make it up.

The profound impact of early discovery, experimentation, and disruption through research and invention

Researchers today build on the knowledge and discoveries made by those who have come before them. How can today’s researchers light the early pathways and curiosities for the research breakthroughs of the future? How can we demonstrate the impact and potential of the yet-to-be known? And, what if any, role does academia, industry, the Faculty of Mathematics, and Canada play in increasing the discovery journey to these new frontiers?

Join us for casual conversations with researchers at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC).

Shayan Majidy, PhD candidate - Tuesday, September 29, 7:00 p.m.

This month, we welcome PhD student Shayan Majidy for a conversation about life as a graduate student, and what it's like to share quantum and science with a young audience.

From Laser Cooling to Quantum Chemistry

Lasers are used in factories for burning through metal and in movies for blowing up space ships. But in the lab, we use them to cool atoms down to within one billionth of a degree of absolute zero.

Join us for casual conversations with researchers at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC).

Kristine Boone, PhD candidate - Tuesday, October 20, 7:00 p.m.

For our third Fireside Chat, we welcome Kristine Boone for a conversation about working on the boundary of research and industry.

Tune in live on YouTube.

Join us for casual conversations with researchers at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC).

Professor David Gosset - Tuesday, November 24, 7:00 p.m.

For our fourth Fireside Chat, we welcome Professor David Gosset of the Institute for Quantum Computing and the University of Waterloo's Department of Combinatorics & Optimization.

David Gosset joined the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) as an Associate Professor in the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization at the University of Waterloo on August 1, 2018.