Lunch & Learn with Olivia di Matteo and Prashanti Priya Angara
2022-05-25 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Vancouver)
The Quantum Algorithms Institute will be hosting a virtual Lunch & Learn event on Wednesday, May 25 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm PST. Expand your knowledge of quantum programming with Dr. Olivia Di Matteo and Prashanti Priya Angara as they discuss their work on the Xanadu Quantum Codebook through a live demo. Gain an understanding of how the online resource familiarizes learners with quantum computing theories and the quantum programming framework PennyLane.
Register for free on Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/ggsXSJxW

Superconducting Quantum Device Workshop
2022-06-20 08:00 - 14:30, 2022-06-23 08:00 - 14:30, 2022-06-27 08:00 - 14:30, 2022-06-30 08:00 - 14:30, 2022-07-04 08:00 - 14:30, 2022-07-06 08:00 - 14:30, 2022-07-08 08:00 - 14:30 (America/Vancouver)
Quantum computing has the potential to solve problems beyond the capabilities of conventional supercomputers. It could revolutionize the advancement of several fields, including biochemistry, finance, logistics, and artificial intelligence. However, building quantum hardware is a great challenge, involving both concepts and technology that have little in common with those in conventional silicon chips. It involves cryogenic environments and in the currently most advanced approach, it relies on superconducting circuits that display macroscopic quantum effects. These concepts and techniques are not part of the usual science and engineering curriculum.
To fill this gap, the Universities of Calgary and Victoria, the two NSERC CREATE programs – Quantum BC and QSciTech – the three quantum institutes – Institut quantique, Institute for Quantum Computing and the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute – and CMC Microsystems have joined forces to bring to you the workshop on the design, fabrication, and testing of superconducting devices used in quantum computer hardware. We invite you to join the virtual workshop taking place from June 20 to July 8.

Roadmapping Workshop 2022
2022-09-01 10:00 - 2022-09-02 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
A CREATE Program event for the quantum computing community in BC to connect, network, and discuss the outlook for quantum technologies.

Following on from the virtual Roadmapping Workshop held in September 2021, this event brings together academic faculty and staff, industry experts, and students for a dynamic, multi-level discussion and exchange of information.
This event will be one of the first in-person events hosted by the BC CREATE Program in Quantum Computing, a graduate student training initiative jointly run by SFU, UBC and UVic and supported by numerous local, national and international industry partners. The event will be hosted at the Quantum Algorithms Institute campus in Surrey. There will also be an option to participate remotely.
Roadmapping 2022 will feature a day of talks from local BC universities and companies, followed by a morning of student-driven presentations that outline the current state and future opportunities for quantum computing technologies in BC. This activities promises to be a fun and interactive event, and a chance to learn about activities across all quantum sectors in the province.

Quantum Entrepreneurship #2 with Mitacs
2022-09-15 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Vancouver)

Unboxing Quantum: Spooky Action
2022-10-19 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Vancouver)
In this Halloween-inspired presentation, Ella Meyer, BSc, talks about Quantum Spooky Action in a fun and engaging way.

Quantum BC Fall 2022 Open House
2022-12-01 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver)
Learn more about getting involved with quantum computing at the undergraduate and graduate level, and find out about our exciting outreach programs and courses! Email bahiyyih.peters@ubc.ca for the event link.
Watch the recording on the Quantum BC Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/hK5PGxcewg0
View the open house slides here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lqygA0ne6naGdPLkgGGOG_tO5qQFw4dJhbm6vYkWqXI/edit?usp=sharing

QBC Open House Dec 1

Virtual Quantum Chemistry Workshop with Gate-Based Quantum Computing Using IBM Quantum
2023-01-23 08:00 - 2023-02-09 14:30 (America/Vancouver)
We invite you to join a 6-day virtual workshop from the end of January to the beginning of February 2023. This year, the workshop will focus on quantum chemistry on IBM’s gate-based quantum computers, incorporating problem-based learning, teamwork, and best practices in quantum software development. By the end of the workshop, you will be able to use the IBM Quantum platform and basic quantum computing tools to solve concrete, small-scale quantum chemistry problems. The workshop will also include poster sessions and an awards ceremony for the best student team presentations.

Quantum Photonics Workshop
2023-02-20 09:00 - 2023-02-24 17:00 (America/Vancouver)
The NSERC CREATE Quantum BC program and CMC Microsystems bring to you a workshop on the design, fabrication, and testing of quantum silicon photonic circuits used in quantum computer hardware. We invite you to join the workshop taking place in person at The University of British Columbia from February 20 to 24, 2023.

QBC Seminar Series - Stephanie Simmons
2023-03-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
The Quantum BC Seminar Series is a monthly talk given by faculty in BC on various topics related to quantum computing. The talks happen on the second Tuesday of each month at 2pm.
Please join us for our first seminar with Dr. Stephanie Simmons on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 2pm. Dr. Simmons will speak about Silicon Colour Centres.
Silicon Colour Centres:
The future global quantum internet will require high-performance matter-photon interfaces. The highly demanding technological requirements indicate that the matter-photon interfaces currently under study all have potentially unworkable drawbacks, and there is a global race underway to identify the best possible new alternative. For overwhelming commercial and quantum reasons, silicon is the best possible host for such an interface. Silicon is not only the most developed integrated photonics and electronics platform by far, isotopically purified silicon-28 has also set records for quantum lifetimes at both cryogenic and room temperatures [1]. Despite this, the vast majority of research into photon-spin interfaces has notably focused on visible-wavelength colour centres in other materials.
In this talk I will introduce a variety of silicon colour centres and discuss their properties in isotopically purified silicon-28. Some of these centres have zero-phonon optical transitions in the telecommunications bands [2], some have long-lived spins in their ground states [3], and some, including the newly rediscovered T centre, have both [4] and can be integrated into silicon photonics chips at scale [5].
[1] K. Saeedi, S. Simmons, J.Z. Salvail, et al. Science 342:830 (2013).
[2] C. Chartrand, L. Bergeron, K.J. Morse, et al. Phys. Rev. B 98:195201 (2018).
[3] K. Morse, R. Abraham, A. DeAbreu, et al. Science Advances 3:e1700930 (2017).
[4] L. Bergeron, C. Chartrand, A.T.K. Kurkjian, et al. PRXQuantum 1:020301 (2020).
[5] D. Higginbottom, A.T.K. Kurkjian, C. Chartrand et al. Nature 607:266 (2022).

Biography:
Dr Stephanie Simmons is an Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair, CIFAR Quantum Information Science Fellow, Co-chair of the National Quantum Strategy Advisory Council, based out of the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University (SFU), and is the Founder and Chief Quantum Officer of Photonic Inc. Her work on silicon quantum technologies was awarded a Physics World Top Ten Breakthrough of the Year of 2013 and again in 2015, and she is one of only 5 individuals to have ever won this award twice. She was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 for 2020, and her work has been covered by the New York Times, CBC, BBC, Scientific American, the New Scientist, and many others.

Tuesday, March 14 at 2pm:
Join in Person (Dr. Simmons will be joining virtually and the talk will be broadcast with refreshments):
SFU Burnaby, WAC Bennett Library Room 7200

Join on Zoom:
https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772
Passcode: [REDACTED]

QBC Seminar Series - Thomas E. Baker
2023-04-11 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
The Quantum BC Seminar Series is a monthly talk given by faculty in BC on various topics related to quantum computing. The talks happen on the second Tuesday of each month at 2pm.

Please join us for our second seminar with Dr. Thomas Baker on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 2pm.
Join on Zoom:
https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Title: Quantum algorithms now and in the future
Author: Thomas E. Baker, Canada Research Chair in Quantum Computing for Modelling of Molecules and Materials
Affiliation: Department of Physics & Astronomy; Department of Chemistry; Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology, University of Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
Abstract:
Computing has revolutionized the landscape of what is possible in terms of modern technology over the past century. Continuing to improve technologies over the next century offers to improve our technological capabilities as much or more so as has already been done. This would affect everything from medicine to farming yields to battery storage. How a computer is built and what algorithms are best run on it are crucial questions for ensuring that the best and most accurate results are obtained. This talk will focus primarily on how algorithms can be made in two contexts: one for the quantum computer and the other for classical computers. Algorithms to access the most efficient information to describe the many-electron solutions from the quantum computer will be discussed. Additionally, tensor network algorithms that rely on entanglement renormalization, an efficient strategy for physically relevant systems, will be discussed and introduced here. With the best algorithms, it will be possible to push technological advances forward and achieve noticeable improvements in everyday life.
This research was undertaken, in part, thanks to funding from the Canada Research Chairs Program. T.E.B. is grateful for support from the University of Victoria’s start-up grant from the Faculty of Science.

Quantum BC Research Day 2023
2023-04-28 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
Quantum BC Research Day 2023 is an opportunity for the Quantum BC community to gather and discuss the latest research in quantum science and technologies. Students, postdocs, and faculty are invited to share their current research and/or future research goals. Quantum BC Research Day 2023 provides a venue for networking to strengthen the connectivity of the Quantum BC community. The program includes a poster session and keynote talks by Quantum BC faculty and industry experts.

Register today whether you are giving a talk, presenting a poster or attending as a guest!

Bob Wright Center Room A104, University of Victoria 3800 Finnerty Road Victoria, BC V8P 5C2

QBC Seminar Series - Prashant Nair
2023-05-09 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
The Quantum BC Seminar Series is a monthly talk given by faculty in BC on various topics related to quantum computing. The talks happen on the second Tuesday of each month at 2pm.
Please join us for our third seminar with Dr. Prashant Nair on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 2pm.
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Title: Towards Efficient and Effective Optimization of Variational Quantum Algorithms through Parameter Transfer

Abstract:
Optimizing parameters for variational quantum algorithms in the presence of noise is challenging due to the susceptibility of the algorithm to noise. In our approach, we address this challenge by utilizing the parameter transfer technique, which involves first identifying optimal parameters for a smaller instance of the problem and then transferring those parameters to the larger instance. By doing so, we can reduce the impact of noise on the optimization process and improve the accuracy of the optimizer. Our experimental results demonstrate that our technique effectively reduces the circuit size by 28% in terms of qubit counts and 38% in terms of circuit depth, leading to optimal points that are closer to the globally optimal points than the baseline. This approach has potential applications in quantum computing and can enable more accurate solutions for larger instances of problems.

Biography:
Prashant Nair is an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC). His primary interests are Computer Architecture, Quantum Systems, AI/ML Systems, Memory Systems, Reliability, and Security. He leads the “Systems and Architectures (STAR) Lab.” Dr. Nair has 25 publications in top-tier venues such as ISCA, MICRO, HPCA, ASPLOS, DSN, and VLDB. He has received several awards, including the best paper at HPCA 2023, two IEEE MICRO Top-Picks honourable mentions, and the ECE Graduate Research Assistant Excellence Award for his Ph.D. at Georgia Tech. Before joining UBC, he investigated practical data compression for IBM systems at T. J. Watson Research Center in New York. Dr. Nair’s works have had a commercial impact. Specifically, his work on integrating On-Die Error Correcting Code and Host Error Correcting Code (published in ISCA-2016) has been successfully integrated into the HBM3 Memory Protocol by JEDEC consortium. Furthermore, top industry players employ ideas similar to his work (CAL-2014) on probabilistic Row Hammer mitigation in DRAM-based memory systems.

Quantum Sensors for Vacuum Metrology
2023-05-10 09:00 - 2023-05-12 17:00 (America/Vancouver)
Quantum Sensors for Vacuum Metrology
MAY 10 – 12, 2023
Quantum BC and the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute are pleased to invite you to attend this workshop:

Vacuum metrology for the high, ultra, and extreme high vacuum regimes is presently undergoing a revolution driven by new techniques that recast the Pascal in terms of observable quantum phenomena and fundamental constants of nature. This workshop is meant to bring together key members of this nascent field to discuss the latest research, achievements, and technical developments.

NSERC CREATE in QC Annual Roadmapping Workshop
2023-05-11 11:00 - 2023-05-12 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Quantum Algorithms Institute

Active Silicon Photonics Fabrication Workshop 2023
2023-05-15 09:00 - 2023-05-19 17:00 (America/Toronto) | University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
In partnership with the SiEPIC Program and our professors from Laval, Toronto, UBC, and Queen’s Universities, CMC Microsystems is offering this legendary Silicon photonics workshop in person again at the University of Toronto from May 15 to 19, 2023.
The workshop will teach participants how to design, simulate, fabricate, and test photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The design of participants will be fabricated by AMF Si Photonics technology and the ANT NanoSOI Si Photonics technology available through CMC Microsystems.
Siemens, Lumerical (now part of the ANSYS family), Luceda, and Applied NanoTools are supporting this course by providing access arrangements to their tools and services for participants (more information below).
On May 17 there will be a one-day symposium on Photonics for Compute Acceleration . Registration is included with workshop.

Seminar on Cryo Circuits for Quantum Computing
2023-06-06 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | University of British Columbia, Macleod Room 3038, Vancouver, BC, Canada
IEEE SSCS/CASS Vancouver Distinguished Lecturer Talk
Cryogenic CMOS for low power quantum computing applications: Roadmap, Present Status, Challenges and Opportunities
Sudipto Chakraborty,
IBM T. J. Watson Master Inventor, NXP Semiconductors
June 6th, 4pm Pacific Time

Registration link:
https://events.vtools.ieee.org/event/register/363109

In-person venue:
McLeod 3038,
Electrical and Computer Engineering,
University of British Columbia
2356 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

Zoom Link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ubc.zoom.us/j/66828102935?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 668 2810 2935
Passcode: [REDACTED]

This talk will cover practical challenges for cryogenic CMOS designs for next generation quantum computing. Starting from a roadmap level understanding and future trends, it will detail the design considerations for a non-multiplexed, semi-autonomous, transmon qubit state controller (QSC) implemented in 14nm CMOS FinFET technology. The QSC includes an augmented general-purpose digital processor that supports waveform generation and phase rotation operations combined with a low power current-mode single sideband upconversion I/Q mixer-based RF arbitrary waveform generator (AWG). Implemented in 14nm CMOS FinFET technology, the QSC generates control signals in its target 4.5GHz to 5.5 GHz frequency range, achieving an SFDR > 50dB for a signal bandwidth of 500MHz. With the controller operating in the 4K stage of a cryostat and connected to a transmon qubit in the cryostat’s millikelvin stage, measured transmon T1 and T2 coherence times were 75.7μs and 73μs, respectively, in each case comparable to results achieved using conventional room temperature controls. In further tests with transmons, a qubit-limited error rate of 7.76×10-4 per Clifford gate is achieved, again comparable to results achieved using room temperature controls. The QSC’s maximum RF output power is -18 dBm, and power dissipation per qubit under active control is 23mW.

Sudipto Chakraborty received his B. Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in 1998 and Ph.D in EE from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2002. He worked as a researcher in Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) till 2004. From 2004 to 2016, he was a senior member of technical staff at Texas Instruments where he contributed to low power integrated circuit design in more than 10 product families in the areas of automotive, wireless, medical and microcontrollers. Since 2017, he has been working at the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center where he leads the low power circuit design for next generation quantum computing applications using nano CMOS technology nodes. He has authored or co-authored more than 75 papers, two books and holds 83 US patents. He has served in the technical program committees of various conferences including CICC, RFIC, IMS and has been elected as an IBM master inventor in 2022 for his contributions. He is a distinguished lecturer for the SSCS and CASS societies and serves as an associate editor for TCAS-I.

QBC Seminar Series - Paul Haljan
2023-06-13 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
The Quantum BC Seminar Series is a monthly talk given by faculty in BC on various topics related to quantum computing. The talks happen on the second Tuesday of each month at 2pm.

June.2023.Poster.Paul.Haljan

Please join us for our fourth seminar on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 2pm with Paul Haljan from SFU who will present on Realizing a Structural Phase Transition of Trapped Ions in the Quantum Regime.

Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Seminar Title: Realizing a Structural Phase Transition of Trapped Ions in the Quantum Regime by Paul C Haljan, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University

Abstract: Arrays of trapped ions are a versatile technological platform with exquisite control over experimental parameters at the single-atom level. This allows both manipulation of the internal quantum state of the ions and control of their quantum collective vibrational motion – phonons – in the trap. A focus of my research group is advancing the technology of phononic coherent control in trapped ions. As part of this, we are aiming to demonstrate precise manipulation of a single vibrational mode of trapped ions in order to control a quantum structural phase transition in a string of trapped ions – the 1D linear to 2D zigzag transition. This system would provide an intrinsic source of novel entangled states of ion crystal structures, which can be manipulated through trapped ion double-well interferometry. In this talk I will describe how we experimentally control and characterize the linear-zigzag structural transition for arrays of ions confined in a linear Paul trap and cooled to near their ground state of motion. I will show how Raman sideband spectroscopy can be used as a probe to reveal both the energy level structure and the motional population distribution of the ion crystal near the critical point of the transition. I will look at what our results reveal about the nature of the transition in practice, and finally I will consider prospects for coherence assessment near the critical point as well as potential applications in in-situ sensing of electric field noise.

Bio: Dr. Paul C. Haljan is an Associate Professor of Physics at Simon Fraser University with expertise in trapped-ion quantum technologies. Before joining SFU in 2005, Paul performed his doctoral work on quantum vertices at Boulder and JILA and held a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan, where he worked on quantum gate implementations in trapped-ion hardware and early algorithm demonstrations. At SFU, the Haljan research group is focused on experiments with trapped ions, quantum simulations and quantum state manipulation, and technology development for trapped-ion quantum computing.

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Lukas Chrostowski
2023-07-11 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
The Quantum BC Seminar Series is a monthly talk given by faculty in BC on various topics related to quantum computing. The talks happen on the second Tuesday of each month at 2pm.

Please join us for our next seminar on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 2pm with Lukas Chrostowski from UBC where he will discuss Quantum Silicon Photonics.

Join in Person:

At UBC: MCLD Room 3038
At SFU: SCP P8445.2

Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772
Passcode: [REDACTED]

July.2023.Lukas.C.Seminar

Title: Quantum Silicon Photonics

Abstract: Photonic integrated circuits, implemented in silicon, have become a mainstream technology for providing high-speed optical communication links within data centres. Other applications include various sensors (LIDAR, biomedical, environment), optical computing, and quantum information processing. Perhaps the most ambitious application for integrated photonics is in quantum computing. Photonics can be used for the computation itself (e.g. PsiQuantum, Xanadu), or can be an enabling technology to couple between spin qubits to build scalable hybrid photonic-spin quantum processors (the SFU-UBC SiQL CFI project, Photonic Inc.). Finally, photonics can be used for that it does best – optical communications – to build quantum communication links between quantum processors and quantum sensors. This talk will discuss research to develop the ingredients necessary for these technologies. This includes novel fabrication techniques using electron beam lithography (SiEPICfab consortium), the design of devices such as single photon sources, single photon detectors, and tunable high-Q resonators for spin qubits, and building instrumentation to test these devices and circuits including cryogenic probe stations and cryogenic photonic packaging.

Lukas Chrostowski is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Through his research in silicon photonics, optoelectronics, high-speed laser design, fabrication and test, for applications in optical communications, biophotonics, and quantum photonics, he has published more than 300 journal and conference publications. He co-authored the book “Silicon Photonics Design” (Cambridge University Press, 2015). Dr. Chrostowski was the co-director of the Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory (AMPEL) Nanofabrication Facility (ANF), 2008-2016. Dr. Chrostowski was the Program Director of the NSERC CREATE Silicon Electronic-Photonic Integrated Circuits (Si-EPIC) training program in Canada, and has been teaching numerous silicon photonics workshops and courses since 2008, which continue today as the SiEPICfab consortium. Chrostowski received the Killam Teaching Prize at the University of British Columbia in 2014, IEEE Photonics Society Technical Skills Educator Award in 2021, and IEEE Canada’s J.M Ham Outstanding Engineering Educator Award in 2021. He was an elected member of the IEEE Photonics Society 2014-2016 Board of Governors. He was elected to the college of the Royal Society of Canada in 2019. Chrostowski is the Program Director for the NSERC CREATE 2020-2026 Quantum Computing program (Quantum BC), co-leading the Quantum Silicon Photonics design-fabricate-test workshop.

Quantum BC Seminar Series - NSERC CREATE Graduate Student Presentations
2023-08-08 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
Please join us on August 8 at 2pm BC Time to hear three NSERC CREATE in Quantum Computing Scholars share their research:

1. Jamal Mohammad Khani, MSc Physics Student, University of Victoria
Title: All-Optical Quantum C-Phase Gate Using Rb Atoms.

2. Phillip Suwan Kirwin, MASc ECE Student, University of British Columbia
Title: Integrated Quantum Transducers

3. Daniel Julien-Neitzert, MASc ECE Student, University of British Columbia
Title: Fibre Optics Based Quantum Computer Control and Readout

August.2023.Student.Seminar

Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772
Passcode: [REDACTED]

———————————————————————————————————————————-

1. Jamal Mohammad Khani, MSc Physics Student, University of Victoria
Title: All-Optical Quantum C-Phase Gate Using Rb Atoms.

Abstract: Neutral atoms are a promising candidate for creating giant optical nonlinearities. Previous experimental work has failed to produce a sufficiently large phase shift due in part to weak light-atom coupling. We aim to overcome this limitation and achieve a large Cross-Phase modulation by incorporating an optical resonator to our atomic system. This result will be an important step to an optical C-Phase gate.

Bio: Jamal Mohammad Khani, a Physics M.Sc. student at the University of Victoria, is currently conducting research under the guidance of Prof. Andrew MacRae. His work focuses on developing a high-fidelity quantum control-phase gate using Rb atoms. Jamal holds a B.Sc. in Physics, during which he specialized in the simulation of trapping and controlling ultracold atoms and BECs using permanent magnetic lattices. Additionally, he made contributions to a research paper that explored the transformation of bright solitons to dark solitons using a Mach-Zehnder modulator during his B.Sc. studies.

———————————————————————————————————————————-
Phillip Suwan Kirwin, MASc ECE Student, University of British Columbia
Title: Integrated Quantum Transducers

Abstract: Useful quantum computers may be built in modules, with optical fibres linking collections of qubits together. To facilitate such modular design in superconducting and spin-based quantum computing architectures, a coherent microwave-to-optical link is required. These so-called quantum transducers aim to coherently transfer the quantum states of photons between the microwave and optical domains. In this talk, I will give an overview of integrated quantum transducers. I will discuss the key figures of merit, engineering challenges, and leading physical implementations.
Bio: Phillip Suwan Kirwin is a MASc student in the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute at the University of British Columbia, advised by Lukas Chrostowski, Jeff Young, and Joseph Salfi. His research interests are in integrated quantum photonics and quantum transducers. Phillip holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta. He is an alumnus of the Canada-Japan Co-op Program, where he interned in the Quantum Optical Physics Group at Nippon Telegraph and Telephone.

Daniel Julien-Neitzert, MASc ECE Student, University of British Columbia Title: Fibre Optics Based Quantum Computer Control and Readout

Abstract: State-of-the-art quantum computers can only solve problems that are also easily tackled with classical computers. To provide a practical quantum advantage and solve real-world problems, the number of qubits needs to be scaled to more than ~ 100 using today’s approaches. A major challenge, often overlooked, is that existing approaches to control and measure qubits will encounter a scaling bottleneck at around 1000 qubits, which is only a few years away for superconducting circuits, and is nowhere near the million qubits needed to simulate catalysts and molecules. Current I/O interfaces are complex to build, compromising reliability and scalability, have limited bandwidth to control and read many qubits, and dissipate too much power to be useful at scale. We propose control circuits that are composed of photonic integrated circuit elements that will replace the costly, complex, and inherently unscalable method for control used today – discrete coaxial cables and large bulky electronics – to be entirely replaced by fibre optics based quantum computer control and readout systems.
Bio: Daniel Julien-Neitzert is with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia. His current research is focused quantum computing hardware and integrated photonics

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Rogério de Sousa
2023-09-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
Join us on Tuesday, September 12 at 2pm for a seminar by Dr. Rogério de Sousa from the University of Victoria.
Sept.2023.Seminar.RdeSousa
Title: Noise in Chip-Based Quantum Computers
https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Abstract: Quantum computers are now available in several different chip-based technologies, but their quantum evolution is noisy, hindering demonstrations of quantum advantage over conventional computers. In this talk I will discuss the microscopic origin of electric and magnetic noise in the solid-state environment surrounding qubits. While some noise sources are intrinsic to the surfaces and interfaces within the chip [1], others are extrinsic in that they originate from impurities and defects within the materials forming the qubit [2, 3]. I will describe strategies to reduce the impact of noise on quantum computers using both hardware [4] and software [5] approaches.
[1] I. Diniz and R. de Sousa, Intrinsic Photon Loss at the Interface of Superconducting Devices, Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 147702 (2020).
[2] N. Gorgichuk, T. Junginger, and R. de Sousa, Modeling Dielectric Loss in Superconducting Resonators : Evidence for Interacting Atomic Two-Level Systems at the Nb /Oxide Interface, Phys. Rev. Appl. 19, 024006 (2023).
[3] J.A. Nava Aquino and R. de Sousa, Flux Noise in Disordered Spin Systems, Phys. Rev. B 106, 144506 (2022).
[4] J.A. Nava Aquino and R. de Sousa, Model for 1/f flux noise in superconducting aluminum devices: Impact of external magnetic fields, Appl. Phys. Lett. 122, 224003 (2023).
[5] E. Wright and R. de Sousa, Fast quantum gate design with deep reinforcement learning using real-time feedback on readout signals, arXiv:2305.01169 [quant-ph].
Bio: Rogério de Sousa, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria BC
Professor de Sousa obtained his B.Sc. in Physics at Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil, and then moved to the USA to pursue a Ph.D. in physics and quantum computing at the University of Maryland, College Park. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the Departments of Chemistry and Physics at University of California, Berkeley, and moved to Canada in 2007 to join the Dept. of Physics and Astronomy at University of Victoria. His research group focuses on how to design quantum computing hardware and software with less noise. They are implementing quantum algorithms in the current generation of noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices, and developing methods to benchmark as well as mitigate the impact of noise in them.
Prof. de Sousa is also interested in making quantum theory more accessible to people with different expertise. At UVic he teaches the course “Introductory Quantum Computing”, targeted at second-year science and engineering students with no previous exposure to quantum theory.

Q-Site Conference - September 29 to October 1, 2023
2023-09-29 - 2023-10-01 | University of British Columbia, Macleod Room 3038, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Discover the Potential of Quantum in Vancouver

Discover Q-SITE Vancouver, an Educational Quantum Student Conference.
Hosted on the UBC campus this fall, from September 29th to October 1st. Immerse yourself in captivating discussions and interactive workshops covering a diverse range of topics in the field of quantum information science and technology.

https://www.qsiteconf.ca/

Quantum BC Open House
2023-11-08 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver)
QBC Open House Nov 8
Topic: Quantum BC Open House
Time: Nov 8, 2023 11:00 AM Vancouver
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ubc.zoom.us/j/61459240254?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 614 5924 0254
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Roman Krems
2023-11-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
Nov.2023.Seminar.RKrems
Join us on Tuesday, November 14 at 2pm for a seminar by Dr. Roman Krems from the University of British Columbia. Dr. Krems will speak on the topic “Can quantum computers enhance machine learning?”
Abstract:
In this talk, I will describe how quantum computing and machine learning
can be combined to solve a machine learning problem that cannot be solved
on a classical computer. This will illustrate the quantum advantage of
quantum machine learning. I will then discuss how to build optimal quantum
machine learning models for practical applications. In particular, I will
show how to increase the complexity of quantum models in order to improve
their ability to infer from limited data. I will conclude by discussing
the title question.

Bio:

Roman Krems is a Professor of Chemistry and Distinguished University
Scholar at the University of British Columbia. He is also a member of the
computer science department at UBC and a principle investigator at the
Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute. His work is at the intersection
of quantum physics, machine learning and chemistry on problems of
relevance to quantum materials and quantum technologies. He is
particularly excited about applications of machine learning for solving
complex quantum problems and applications of quantum hardware for machine
learning. He is Fellow of the American Physical Society and Member of the
College of the Royal Society of Canada.

https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Mohammad Amin
2023-12-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
Join us on Tuesday, December 12 at 2pm for a seminar by Dr. Mohammad Amin from D-Wave.
Mohammad will speak on the topic Critical scaling advantage in spin glass quantum optimization.

https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]

Title: Critical scaling advantage in spin glass quantum optimization
Abstract:
More than two decades ago, experiments on disordered alloys suggested that spin-glasses could be brought into low-energy states faster through quantum annealing than through conventional thermal annealing. Replicating this phenomenon in a programmable processor has remained a central challenge in quantum optimization. In this presentation, I will provide the first experimental demonstration of the critical scaling advantage of quantum annealing compared to classical algorithms, utilizing a superconducting quantum annealing processor with thousands of qubits [1]. I will offer a theoretical explanation of this advantage through the dynamics of quantum phase transition in spin-glasses. By extracting critical exponents, I will show a clear distinction between quantum annealing and the slower stochastic dynamics of analogous Monte Carlo algorithms. Finally, I will present recent results on Quantum Error Mitigation as a near-term approach to reduce errors when estimating expectation values [2]. Using Zero-Noise Extrapolation in the quantum critical dynamics of a transverse-field Ising spin-chain, I will present the successful mitigation of static control errors and thermal noise, extending coherent annealing time by nearly an order of magnitude.
[1] King et al., Nature 617, 61 (2023).
[2] Amin et. al. arXiv:2311.01306.
Bio:
Dr. Mohammad Amin is a Fellow at D-Wave Quantum Inc. and an adjunct professor in the Physics department at Simon Fraser University. He earned his PhD in condensed matter physics from the University of British Columbia in 1999. Since joining D-Wave in 2000, Dr. Amin has played a pivotal role in the development of D-Wave’s large-scale quantum annealing processors, contributing to both theoretical and experimental understandings of their complex behavior. His expertise spans various domains, including superconducting qubits, noise and decoherence in superconducting circuits, the theory of open quantum systems, quantum critical phenomena, and quantum machine learning.
