Dr. David Cory, a renowned pioneer and innovator in quantum computing, will bring his expertise to IQC as Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Quantum Information Processing.
Cory, who joins IQC and the University of Waterloo following a tenure as professor of nuclear engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will lead new experimental investigations into quantum sensors and actuators — the building blocks of future quantum computers.
He described IQC as a "wonderful environment" in which to pursue his leading-edge research, and lauded the Canadian government for investing in such important work.
“This chair will provide the resources needed to design, fabricate and test a first generation of quantum devices,” Cory said. “Over the past decade, the engineering of quantum system has become a reality. Now we aim to deploy quantum devices.”
Monday’s event at IQC also saw the announcement of a second world-class scientist coming to the University of Waterloo — Dr. Philippe Van Cappellen, who will hold the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Ecohydrology.
In total, 19 CERC appointments were announced simultaneously at 13 universities across Canada Monday.
"The government of Canada recognizes investing in cutting-edge research is essential to Canada's future success," said Peter Braid, MP for Kitchener-Waterloo.
"Being awarded two of these highly competitive research chairs demonstrates the University of Waterloo's excellence in research and innovation, and positions our community to lead Canada in the twenty-first century."
George Dixon, V.P. of Research at the University of Waterloo, said the incoming chairholders will contribute to and enhance the university's "very rich and fertile ground for scholarship and innovation."
In coming weeks, Cory’s IQC laboratory in the new Research Advancement Centre 2 (RAC2) will be outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment for conducting experiments using nuclear spin, electron spin, superconducting qubits and quantum optics.
Cory’s research is expected to contribute to the world’s first generation of practical quantum devices. These new technologies will have immediate and future applications in medicine, communications, biochemistry, physics and nanoscience.
Said IQC Director Raymond Laflamme: “With a scientist the calibre of David Cory as CERC Chair, Canada will be even better positioned to lead the world in the quantum information revolution.”
Read more about the CERC announcement in The Waterloo Region Record.
Founded in 2002, the mission of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is to aggressively explore and advance the application of quantum mechanical systems to a vast array of relevant information processing techniques.
A part of the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont., Canada, IQC creates a truly unique environment fostering cutting-edge research and collaboration between researchers in the areas of computer, engineering, mathematical and physical sciences.
At the time of this release, IQC has 17 faculty members, 22 postdoctoral fellows and over 55 students and research assistants, as well as a support staff of 18.
The Institute for Quantum Computing acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada through Industry Canada and the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Research and Innovation.