Quantum Information & Computing

Quantum mechanics describes the often counterintuitive phenomena of light and matter with spectacular accuracy.  Quantum information science exploits these phenomena---such as Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, superposition, and entanglement---for new technologies in computing, communication, and sensing that would otherwise be impossible.

The Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Waterloo is exploring the quantum world broadly 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 is an inherently multidisciplinary field, often overlapping with Quantum Materials and Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics research groups.  The University of Waterloo is a global centre with world-class quantum researchers across campus and within the Waterloo community from other disciplines such as mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and engineering.