Physicist Raymond Laflamme's Canada Research Chair renewed

Physicist Raymond Laflamme, from the Department of Physics and Astronomy and executive director of the Institute for Quantum Computing, saw his CRC renewed for $1.4 million over seven years.

His research on controlling quantum systems using quantum error correction is critical to the development of robust new quantum technologies. Harnessing the power of technologies at the atomic scale requires mechanisms to control these fragile, yet powerful behaviours.

We can’t make sense of quantum phenomena with traditional laws of physics, but with quantum laws we can understand, predict, and control quantum systems to develop the next generation of information technologies,” said Laflamme. “The CRC renewal provides me with perhaps the most precious resource – time – which is essential to continue our progress in the complex and constantly evolving quantum world.”

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, today announced a total investment of $5.2 million for Waterloo in key research areas of environment and energy, mechatronic vehicle systems, graph theory, and algorithm design.

Besides the extremely valuable time that’s required to focus on research, the CRC program provides researchers with the opportunity to train the next generation of emerging academics and achieve international recognition in their fields,” said D. George Dixon, vice-president, university research at Waterloo. “The program supports Waterloo’s goal of attracting and retaining outstanding and innovative world-class researchers that will have a profound impact on the world we live in.”

The four other Waterloo researchers awarded Canada Research Chairs today include professors: Sarah Burch, Amir Khajepour, Ian Munro and Luke Postle.