Michael Reimer

Faculty, Associate Professor

Michael Reimer

Michael Reimer joined the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and the Electrical and Computer Engineering department in 2015.

After receiving his BSc in Physics at the University of Waterloo, Reimer spent two years in industry at JDS Uniphase as an R&D Engineer. He then went on to earn his MSc in Engineering Physics at the Technical University of Munich in Germany. In 2010 he obtained his PhD in Physics at the University of Ottawa/National Research Council of Canada.

From 2009 to 2014, Reimer was a postdoctoral researcher at Technical University of Delft in the quantum optics lab of Professor Val Zwiller where he developed solid-state quantum devices. During that time, Reimer made a huge impact in the development of single photon and entangled photon sources based on shaped nanowire heterostructures, as well as nanowire-based single electron devices and efficient nanowire avalanche photodiodes. In 2013, he was also an integral part of a recent start-up company, Single Quantum, developing highly efficient single-photon detectors based on superconducting nanowires.

His research will focus on the development of quantum photonic devices and optical approaches needed to advance quantum information science and technologies, as well as to test fundamental questions in quantum photonics.

His group aims to:

  • Realize a quantum repeater - a quantum device that extends the distance for transferring quantum information than what is currently possible
  • Perform quantum optics and algorithms on a semiconductor chip
  • Realize an efficient interface between stationary and flying quantum bits, an important milestone towards the Quantum Internet
  • Develop a `plug and play’, tunable quantum light source – an essential component needed in advanced quantum information schemes.

Research expertise

  • Semiconductor nanowire quantum light sources
  • Hybrid nanowire quantum state converter
  • Quantum memories
  • Integrated quantum photonic circuits
  • Highly efficient quantum detectors

Degrees

  • PhD Physics, University of Ottawa/National Research Council of Canada, 2010
  • MSc Engineering Physics, Technical University of Munich, Germany, 2004
  • BSc Honours Physics, University of Waterloo, 2000

Awards & Honours

  • Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI) Early Researcher Award, 2017
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Postgraduate Scholarship, Canada (2005-2008)
  • University of Ottawa Excellence Scholarship, Canada (2006-2008)
  • University of Ottawa Admission Scholarship, Canada (2006-2008)

Major positions

Title Location When
Associate Professor Institute for Quantum Computing and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo 2022-present
Assistant Professor Institute for Quantum Computing and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo 2015-2022
Research Associate Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Technical University of Delft, The Netherlands 2013-2015
Postdoctoral Research Fellow Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Technical University of Delft, The Netherlands 2009-2013
Research and Development Engineer JDS Uniphase, Canada 2000-2002