Shaping the future with quantum innovation
Quantum information science leverages light and matter phenomena – such as Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, superposition, and entanglement – for new technologies in computing, communication, and sensing. Our globally-recognized researchers, along with interdisciplinary partners in math, computer science, chemistry and engineering, explore the quantum world with active theoretical and experimental research programs in quantum cryptography and communication, quantum computing and simulation and quantum sensors. In our state-of-the-art laboratories, we are advancing the field with a diverse array of quantum systems, including ultracold atoms and ions, superconductors, photonics, nuclear and electronic spins, neutron interferometry, and quantum dots. Quantum information often overlaps with research in quantum matter and AMO physics.
World-class research
Work with leaders in the field and conduct research in our state-of-the-art facilities. What could you do at Waterloo?
The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) was founded in 2002 to position Canada as a leader in quantum research, and today it’s one of the top quantum information research institutes in the world. Experts in all fields of quantum information science and technology come to IQC to conduct research, share knowledge, and encourage and support the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.
Meet our researchers
Raffi Budakian, Professor
Dr. Budakian develops experimental tools for ultra-sensitive detection of electron and nuclear spins. His research uses force detection, nanomechanical oscillators, and magnetic resonance techniques to study magnetism and quantum phenomena on nanometer scales. His group designs advanced spin detection and manipulation methods, develops high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging tools, and investigates defects and dopants in materials. This work has applications in condensed matter physics, quantum information science, and biological imaging.
K. Rajibul Islam, Associate Professor
Dr. Islam works in quantum information processing, with a focus on quantum simulation and computation using laser-cooled trapped ions. His research explores entanglement, strongly correlated quantum matter, frustrated spin systems, and quantum many-body dynamics. His group develops experimental methods for controlling and measuring trapped-ion quantum systems and contributes to QuantumIon, an open-access trapped-ion quantum computer. By using highly controllable quantum platforms, his work addresses problems that are difficult or impossible to solve with classical computers.
Alan Jamison, Assistant Professor
Dr. Jamison uses ultracold atoms and molecules to investigate quantum many-body physics, fundamental symmetries, quantum chemistry, and quantum information. His research employs laser cooling to create systems only billionths of a degree above absolute zero, where quantum behaviour can be studied with exceptional control and precision. His group develops new ways to understand emergent behavior in complex interacting systems, from experiments with strongly-correlated and entangled quantum systems to theoretical modeling of social and economic systems.
Jan Kycia, Professor
Dr. Kycia experimentally investigates superconducting and quantum devices, including Josephson-junction systems, superconducting sensors, and semiconductor quantum dots used as spin qubits. His research is conducted at ultra-low temperatures, where quantum effects can be studied with high precision and minimal noise. His group explores cryogenic electronics, quantum sensing, qubits, and the materials challenges that influence device performance. This work advances quantum computing and sensing technologies while providing tools to study novel quantum materials.
Adrian Lupascu, Associate Professor
Associate Chair
Dr. Lupascu studies quantum dynamics in solid-state devices, with a focus on superconducting quantum circuits. His research explores qubits, superconducting resonators, quantum control, decoherence, strong light-matter interactions, quantum annealing, and quantum sensing. Through the design and measurement of nanoscale superconducting devices, his group works to improve quantum information technologies while investigating fundamental questions about quantum behaviour in engineered solid-state systems.
Norbert Lutkenhaus, Professor
Executive Director, Institute for Quantum Computing
Dr. Lütkenhaus studies quantum communication and quantum optics, with a focus on connecting theoretical quantum protocols to practical implementations. His research explores quantum key distribution, quantum repeaters, and the secure transmission of information using quantum systems. By developing theoretical frameworks and benchmarking real-world technologies, his group works to advance long-distance quantum communication and help transform quantum information concepts into reliable and scalable applications.
Matteo Mariantoni, Associate Professor
Dr. Mariantoni studies superconducting qubits and circuit quantum electrodynamics, with a focus on quantum information processing and quantum measurement. His research develops advanced microwave detection and control techniques for probing ultra-low quantum signals in superconducting circuits. His group investigates quantum error correction, surface-code architectures, and quantum simulation using superconducting devices, while also developing theoretical models that describe the behaviour of quantum circuits and the signals they generate.
Roger Melko, Professor
Dr. Melko studies strongly correlated many-body systems, with a focus on emergent phenomena, phase transitions, quantum criticality, and entanglement. His research uses advanced computational methods to investigate quantum materials, frustrated magnets, cold atoms, and quantum computers. His group develops and applies techniques such as quantum Monte Carlo, tensor networks, and machine learning to explore complex quantum systems. A central goal of his work is to uncover new states of matter and better understand quantum behaviour.
Christine Muschik, Associate Professor
Dr. Muschik leads a theoretical quantum optics research group focused on quantum communication, quantum simulation, and quantum networks. Her work develops methods for understanding light-matter interactions with applications in quantum information science. Working closely with experimental collaborators, she designs protocols for quantum networks, quantum sensing, autonomous quantum error correction, and quantum simulations of complex systems. Her research aims to harness quantum systems to address fundamental questions in physics and advance quantum technologies.
Dmitry Pushin, Associate Professor
Dr. Pushin applies quantum information processing methods to neutron optics and interferometry. His research uses neutron interferometers as platforms for precision measurements, quantum control, and studies of fundamental physics. By combining quantum information science, neutron physics, and condensed matter physics, his group investigates topics including neutron phase imaging, neutron orbital angular momentum, dark-energy-related phenomena, and tests of quantum mechanics. His work advances neutron interferometry as a powerful tool for both fundamental research and materials science.
Kevin Resch, Professor
Dr. Resch leads an experimental quantum optics research program focused on creating and controlling quantum states of light. His work spans fundamental tests of quantum mechanics and the development of emerging quantum technologies, with specific topics including photonic entanglement, quantum interferometry, nonlinear optics, and quantum causal inference. Through this research, he is discovering new ways that quantum light can be used to process and communicate information, and to gain new insights into the physical world.
Pooya Ronagh, Research Professor
Dr. Ronagh studies quantum computation, with a focus on developing and analyzing quantum algorithms for challenging computational problems. His research explores the intersection of quantum computing, machine learning, optimization, and control theory, including hybrid quantum-classical approaches to quantum control, error correction, and fault-tolerant computation. By applying quantum simulation and computation to areas such as representation learning and reinforcement learning, his work aims to identify practical applications for emerging quantum technologies.
Crystal Senko, Assistant Professor
Canada Research Chair in Trapped Ion Quantum Computing
Dr. Senko studies trapped ions for quantum simulation and quantum computing. Her research explores how highly controlled trapped-ion systems can be used to simulate interacting spin systems, investigate quantum dynamics, and implement quantum information processing protocols. She is particularly interested in the use of qudits, which encode information using multiple quantum levels, to enhance quantum computation. Her work advances experimental approaches to quantum technologies while improving our understanding of complex quantum systems.
Want to study or partner with us?
Helping to shape and encourage the next generations of scientists is at the core of what we do. Prospective graduate students interested in studying with one of our faculty are welcome to reach out to them directly. You can also check out current student research opportunities in Earth.
Research is made better through strong collaboration. If you’re an industry leader looking to partner with us, we would love to hear from you.