Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Nir Rotenberg
2024-06-11 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
Join us on Tuesday, June 11 at 2pm for a seminar by Dr. Nir Rotenberg from Queens University.
Title: Towards quantum dot-based linear and nonlinear photonic networks
Abstract: Self-assembled quantum dots in nanophotonic structures are a wonderful platform for the exploration of fundamental physics and for quantum photonic technologies. Fundamentally, they allow for the controlled exploration of few-body effects and few-photon nonlinearities, while from a technical perspective they act as on-demand sources of single or entangled photons, all because of the high quality of both these emitters and the structures into which they are embedded. Recently, at Queen’s University, we have begun exploring other ways in which these properties could be used to realize quantum technologies, focusing on quantum photonic circuits. In this talk, I will discuss these efforts, covering what is possible if the circuits are fully linear or if nonlinearities are available, and highlighting roles that quantum dots may play.
Bio: Dr. Rotenberg leads the Quantum Nanophotonics Lab at Queen’s University in Canada, where he has been since mid 2020. The groups research focuses on controlling and exploiting light-matter interactions with quantum dots embedded on photonic chips. This continues a research direction from his time at the Niels Bohr Institute, before which he studied quantum optics with single organic molecules as a postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Germany.

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

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Himadri Shekhar Dhar
2024-07-09 14:00 - 15:00
Join us on Tuesday, July 9 at 2pm for a seminar by Dr. Himadri Shekhar Dhar from IIT Bombay.

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

Join in Person:
UBC: MCLD 3038
SFU: WAC 7200
UVIC: ELL 226
Seminar Title: Theoretical approaches to study quantum properties of collective states in a cavity
Seminar Abstract: The interaction of collective states of spins or atoms with a quantum resonator has been harnessed to build different platforms for quantum information processing ranging from quantum computing and simulation to metrology. In this talk, we look at a few theoretical and computational approaches to study the dynamics of these systems. First, we describe how powerful tensor-network methods can be used to investigate the transfer of quantum information from the states of a cavity to the collective states of an ensemble of qubits or spins. Secondly, we show how quantum sensing of rotational properties of collective states of an atomic superfluid can be enhanced by exploiting the tools of quantum optomechanics.

Bio: Himadri Shekhar Dhar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India since February 2021. Prior to Mumbai, he was a research assistant at Imperial College London, United Kingdom (2019-2021) and a Lise-Meitner fellow at the Institute for Theoretical Physics, Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), Austria (2016-2018). He finished his PhD in 2015 from the School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India and till 2016 was a postdoctoral fellow in Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Prayagraj, India. His research focus has been to unravel the physical nature of correlations that connect the various parts of complex and exquisite quantum systems, primarily from the perspective of theoretical quantum information and computing, optics and many-body physics. In recent years, he has been working on quantum dynamics and quantum information protocols in collective states, quantum light-matter interaction and hybrid systems, aiming at developing and optimising quantum technology.

Application Deadline for NSERC CREATE
2024-07-15
NSERC CREATE in Quantum Computing Program Page
Next application deadline is July 15, 2024 for Fall 2024 intake.
Eligibility:

Current or prospective graduate student at UBC, SFU or UVic
Interest in Quantum Computing with supervisor supporting your QC research

This unique training program will equip graduates with skills in both building quantum computing hardware and software.
This program, hosted by the Quantum Matter Institute at the University of British Columbia (UBC), is co-delivered by faculty at three BC universities (UBC, SFU and UVic) with collaboration from leading quantum hardware and software companies.
Students will acquire highly specialized technical expertise and commercial skills in both quantum computing hardware and software through a combination of hands-on workshops, research projects, industrial internships and professional development workshops to ensure job readiness among graduates pursuing careers in the emerging quantum computing technologies sector. Further information on the program can be found below.
This program is not a graduate program by itself. It is meant as “add on” training to a student’s degree program. Every student will have a home department and will take part in the CREATE Quantum Computing Program in addition to their other studies.
Steps to Apply:

Ensure you are eligible (a current or prospective Masters or PhD student at UBC, SFU or UVic)
Review the Scholar Handbook (see below) to learn more about the program
Fill out the Graduate Scholarship Application (see below) and submit with a CV and transcripts to the link provided.

For more information, please contact the Program Coordinator: bahiyyih.peters@ubc.ca
Apply Here

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Shohini Ghose
2024-09-10 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 2pm BC Time with Dr. Shohini Ghose

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

Seminar Title: Towards network quantum communication
Seminar Abstract:
Quantum approaches offer the promise of secure communications and novel schemes such as teleportation. A future quantum internet requires the development of quantum networking protocols as well as metrics to characterize and evaluate quantum resources and performance. This talk will describe our studies of multiparty protocols such as controlled teleportation, multiparty computation and private comparison, and evaluate their use for ensuring network security and privacy.

Short biography:
Shohini Ghose is a Professor of Physics and Computer Science at Wilfrid Laurier University and the Chief Technology Officer of the Quantum Algorithms Institute. She holds the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (ON) and is the founding Director of the Laurier Centre for Women in Science. Her research focuses on quantum computation and communication. She and her research collaborators were the first to observe signatures of chaos in quantum entanglement, and to demonstrate the first programmable simulations of quantum chaos on a quantum computer. She has also developed new quantum communication protocols and methods to generate, concentrate and measure multiqubit entanglement. She is a member of Canada’s Quantum Advisory Council overseeing the National Quantum Strategy. Ghose is the recipient of several awards, including a TED Senior Fellowship and selection to the College of the Royal Society of Canada. Her 2023 book Her Space, Her Time: How trailblazing women scientists decoded the hidden universe has been shortlisted for the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Book Award.

2024 Comm^2 Workshop at the University of Victoria
2024-11-07 12:00 - 2024-11-08 17:00 | University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
2024 Comm^2 workshop at the University of Victoria : Focus on Writing

Join us at the University of Victoria November 7th and 8th for the 2024 Comm^2 Workshop. The Comm^2 Workshop combines Commercialization and Communication and is an annual workshop as part of our NSERC CREATE in Quantum Computing Program.

This year, we will focus on written communication, including how that can be done for educational audiences and for commercial audiences.

Be sure to register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCMlavi4oNJYQ2j_PgZTk2j5ABAoMhkHNTnf44IqQFAASuwA/viewform

We will have members of Xanadu, IBM, and the Quantum Algorithms Institute, as well as Quantum BC faculty.

Come prepared to get useful tips for your writing!

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Thomas Jennewein
2025-01-14 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series
January 14, 2025 at 2pm BC Time
Dr. Thomas Jennewein, Simon Fraser University
Seminar Title: Building the QEYSSat mission by putting quantum optics experiments into space

Join in Person:
SFU Burnaby SCP 8445.2

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

Seminar Abstract:
Quantum communication in space allows to bridge large distances and also extend the tests of quantum entanglement over large distances, and represents an important step towards building a quantum internet. I will discuss the motivation and background for space based quantum communication, and provide an overview on how we translated the quantum optics experiments from laboratory setups to the QEYSSat space mission.
Short Biography:
Dr. Jennewein completed his PHD in 2002 at the University of Vienna on Quantum Key Distribution and Teleportation Experiments. After a year in the automotive industry (2003-2004), he became a senior scientist at the IQOQI of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (2004-2009). In 2009 he moved to Canada to take a faculty position at the University of Waterloo / Institute for quantum computing (2009 – 2024), and since 2024 he is a Canadian Excellence Research Chair for Global Quantum Internet Systems at the Simon Fraser University.
Dr. Jennewein’s research vision is to build capable and scalable quantum communication technology for long range and satellite quantum networks. He initiated and now leads the Canadian Satellite mission called Quantum EncrYption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat), which aims to demonstrate quantum communication and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) between space and ground with stations across Canada and internationally. Dr. Jennewein led the first three-photon interference, an important fundamental advance for the field of quantum optics recognized by Physics World as one of the Top 10 breakthroughs of 2017.

Quantum Days 2025
2025-02-19 - 2025-02-21
Canada’s flagship quantum science and technology conference
February 19-21, 2025
Toronto, ON
Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Roadmapping Workshop 2025 at UBC
2025-03-06 - 2025-03-07
Details coming soon!

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Kirk Madison
2025-03-11 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 2pm BC Time with Dr. Kirk Madison

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

Seminar Title:
Seminar Abstract:
Short biography:

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Andrew MacRae
2025-04-08 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 2pm BC Time with Dr. Andrew MacRae
Title:
Atom-Based Quantum Memories and Sources for Telecom Integration

Abstract:
I will provide an overview of the emerging concept of the quantum internet, exploring its foundational building blocks, its exciting potential, and the daunting challenges to making it work. I will then delve into three projects underway at the University of Victoria, each attempting to address some of these challenges: (1) Benchmarking and testing the field-deployability of a commercial quantum memory, (2) developing a wavelength conversion scheme from rubidium to telecom wavelengths for integration quantum memories with existing fiber-optic networks, and (3) designing a cavity-enhanced source of squeezed light to boost the efficiency of quantum communication protocols.

Bio:
Dr. Andrew MacRae obtained his PhD in 2012 in the group of Alexander Lvovsky at the University of Calgary. There, he developed a technique for time resolved quantum tomography of single photons for the first time. He then worked as a postdoc in the group of Dan Stamper-Kurn at the University of California at Berkeley, studying ultracold atoms in a spinor Bose Einstein Condensate, and developing methods for reaching unprecedented low temperatures. Following this he worked in industry, designing control algorithms for ultra-precision CNC machines. He joined the University of Victoria in 2016 as a Lab instructor and has since become an adjunct professor where he runs an AMO research lab.

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

Quantum BC Research Day
2025-04-25 10:00 - 17:30 | Simon Fraser University Burnaby, Applied Science Building, Room 10900m, Burnaby, BC, Canada
Join for our 3rd annual Quantum BC Research Day at Simon Fraser University Burnaby Campus!
Friday, April 25, 2025
Register Here

QSciTech–QuantumBC-CMC Virtual Workshop: Quantum Chemistry 2025
2025-04-28 - 2025-05-15
We invite you to join a 6-day virtual workshop. 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, where participants can showcase what they have learned, and an awards ceremony recognizing the best team presentations. A total of $1,500 in prizes will be distributed among the winners.
QSciTech–QuantumBC-CMC Virtual Workshop: Quantum Chemistry 2025

NSERC CREATE Quantum BC and NUCLEUS – FABrIC Quantum Photonics Workshop 2025
2025-05-12 - 2025-05-17 | University of British Columbia, Macleod Room 3038, Vancouver, BC, Canada
The NSERC CREATE Quantum BC and NUCLEUS programs, along with FABrIC—a project funded by the Government of Canada and managed by CMC Microsystems—bring to you a workshop on the design, fabrication, and testing of quantum silicon photonic circuits used in quantum information processing hardware.
The workshop will teach participants how to design, simulate, fabricate, and test their own quantum silicon photonic circuits. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of quantum optics and how photonics can be used for quantum computing, and the types of problems that can be solved on photonic-based processors. During the workshop, students will practice creating a design and layout of a quantum silicon photonic circuit. Students will brainstorm and pitch their circuit ideas to researchers at leading universities and industries. After the workshop, students will have several months to complete their design and submit their circuits for fabrication by a foundry facilitated by CMC. Participants will test their chips using equipment at their own university or by their own arrangements, such as via a collaboration with the workshop instructors and/or visits to their facilities.
CMC Basecamp™: NSERC CREATE Quantum BC and NUCLEUS – FABrIC Quantum Photonics Workshop 2025

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Ulrike Stege
2025-05-13 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 2pm BC Time with Dr. Ulrike Stege
Title: Tackling Constrained Optimization Challenges: A Perspective from a Computer Scientist
Abstract: I will provide an overview of quantum computing research and recent results from our group, focusing on two areas: quantum computing education and solving combinatorial optimization problems. While the ultimate goal of solving computationally hard problems is to find a provably optimal solution, practical constraints in real-world scenarios often necessitate focusing on efficiently obtaining high-quality, near-optimal solutions. Both Quantum Annealing and the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) are state-of-the-art hybrid quantum-classical approaches that solve these problems when encoded as unconstrained binary optimization problems. We introduce a novel framework, called SCOOP, to help overcome challenges associated with formulating and solving constrained combinatorial optimization problems as unconstrained binary optimization problems using QAOA. In the area of quantum computing education, our group aims to lower the entry barrier to learning quantum computing. To achieve this, we have developed tools that make quantum computing more engaging and support learning and understanding of its concepts.
Bio: Ulrike Stege is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and the Director of the Master of Applied Data Science (MADS) program in the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Victoria. She was Computer Science Department Chair at the University of Victoria from 2014-2018. She is a member of Quantum BC and an affiliate of British Columbia’s Quantum Algorithms Institute (QAI). She is a Principal Investigator of an NSERC CREATE on Quantum Computing. With her graduate students she works in the area of algorithm development for computationally hard problems, including hybrid quantum-classical algorithms. Ulrike’s interdisciplinary research areas include bioinformatics and cognitive psychology. She received a doctorate from ETH Zürich, Switzerland. Recent projects in bioinformatics focus on the identification of genomic regulatory sequences, as well as RNA and protein structure prediction.
Website: https://www.uvic.ca/ecs/computerscience/people/faculty/profiles/stege-ulrike.php

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

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Roger Melko
2025-05-27 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 2pm BC Time with Dr. Roger Melko
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Seminar Title: Building the world’s first open-source quantum computer
Abstract: As quantum computers transition from academic labs to the larger world, we are faced with the question about how best to shape the emerging technology and the organizations surrounding it. In this talk I will present Open Quantum Design (OQD), a nonprofit foundation with the goal of developing the world’s first open-source full-stack quantum computer based on trapped ions. By releasing both the hardware and software stack under permissive open-source licences, OQD provides a collaborative sandbox accessible to academics, startups, government, policy makers, researchers, students and teachers — allowing the larger community to guide the direction of innovation. I will argue that, in addition to ensuring that emerging quantum computers remain democratic, transparent and accessible, an open-source model could also provide a more robust and high-quality technology that is less dependent on conventional commercial incentives.
Short biography:
https://perimeterinstitute.ca/people/roger-melko

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Zachary Vernon
2025-06-10 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 2pm BC Time with Dr. Zachary Vernon
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Seminar Title:
Seminar Abstract:
Short biography:

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Quantum BC Students
2025-08-12 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 2pm BC Time with UBC Students Jonas Jäger and Elham Torabian
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]

Join in person at UBC: MacLeod 3038
Join in person at SFU Burnaby: SCP 8445.2

Seminar Title: Analytic reconstructions to power gradient-free optimization applied to quantum chemistry and quantum machine learning
Seminar Abstract:
While gradient-based optimization is highly successful in deep learning, it faces limitations in quantum computing, largely because backpropagation is not available. We switch gears to gradient-free optimization powered by analytic reconstructions that capture more information than gradients from the same quantum circuit evaluations. We showcase the power of this paradigm through its applications in quantum chemistry and quantum machine learning. For quantum chemistry, we outperform state-of-the-art optimizers by reaching chemical accuracy faster for the electronic structure problem of molecules. For quantum machine learning, we enable efficient quantum feature map learning with reduced quantum resource overhead, achieving accurate solutions to high-dimensional classification tasks on real IBM quantum hardware.

Short biographies:
Jonas Jäger is a PhD student at UBC in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics and a quantum computing scholar in the NSERC quantum computing CREATE program. His research focuses on the intersection of quantum computing, machine learning and optimization with applications in chemistry.

Elham Torabian is a PhD candidate in UBC chemistry and a quantum computing scholar in the NSERC quantum computing CREATE program. She’s a quantum computing and quantum machine learning researcher eager to develop quantum computing and machine learning algorithms to explore new possibilities and accelerate solving complex physics/chemistry problems.

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Benjamin Crockett
2025-09-23 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 2pm BC Time with Dr. Benjamin Crockett
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]
In Person at UBC: MacLeod Room 3038
At SFU: SSB Room 7172
Seminar Title:
Coherent energy-redistribution methods for time-frequency manipulation of classical and quantum waves
Seminar Abstract:
As described by the theory of space–time duality, temporal imaging systems implement in the time domain analogous operations to those performed by spatial imaging setups. This allows to implement functionalities like compression, magnification, and Fourier transformation of waveforms in their time- or frequency-representations rather than on the spatial distribution of images. Instead of lenses and free-space propagation, these functions are realized through tailored temporal and spectral phase profiles, for example using electro-optic phase modulators and chirped gratings. Since these schemes manipulate information through coherent energy redistribution of an input field’s energy, such systems provide an especially energy-efficient route to information processing.
Here I will present recent works I have conducted during my time at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (Montréal, Québec) based on these principles. On the classical side, I will show applications to telecommunications, microwave photonics, and ultrafast pulse characterization, demonstrating in-band noise suppression (i.e., noise within the bandwidth of the signal itself) as well as real-time spectral analysis and manipulation of broadband signals. On the quantum side, I will illustrate how entanglement enables dispersion-resilient quantum communication and how coherent energy-redistribution can recover quantum states otherwise buried in noise. I will conclude with my research direction at the University of British Columbia on integrated photonic platforms for multi-photon entangled-state generation.
Short biography:
Benjamin Crockett is a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia, working with the groups of Profs. Lukas Chrostowski and Jeff Young. His research focuses on generating novel entangled quantum states on integrated photonic platforms for applications in telecommunications, sensing, and computing. He completed his graduate studies at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in Montréal with Prof. José Azaña, developing photonic signal-processing strategies for noise mitigation and time-frequency characterization of classical and quantum systems. He received his M.Sc. in 2019 (“Denoising Amplification of Arbitrary Coherent Signals Using the Talbot Effect”) and his Ph.D. in 2025 (“Phase-Based Photonic Signal Processing for Quantum State Manipulation and Analysis”).

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Malcolm Kennett
2025-10-14 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 2pm BC Time
Speaker: Dr. Malcolm Kennett from Simon Fraser University
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join in Person At SFU Burnaby: SCP 8445.2
Seminar Title: Out of equilibrium dynamics and information spreading in the Bose Hubbard model

Seminar Abstract: The Bose-Hubbard model (BHM) is the simplest model of interacting bosons on a lattice and can be realized with ultra-cold
atoms in an optical lattice. As the ratio of interactions to hopping are tuned in the model there is a quantum phase transition
between a superfluid and an insulating phase that has been observed experimentally. Out of equilibrium phenomena in the
BHM, such as the spreading of correlations, thermalization and many-body localization have attracted considerable interest in recent years. While dynamics in one dimension can be solved essentially exactly, approximate methods are required in higher dimensions. This has opened up the suggestion of using cold bosons in an optical lattice as a quantum simulator. We have developed a strong coupling approach that allows us to access out of equilibrium phenomena in dimensions higher than one. I will survey results that we have obtained with this method which include: i) investigating the spreading of correlations in one, two and three dimensions and comparing to experimental results; ii) studying the effect of disorder on the BHM phase diagram and its implications for experimental claims of many body localization; and iii)
applying a machine learning approach to obtain quantitative improvements to our calculations of single particle correlations that may be generalizable to out of equilibrium dynamics in other quantum systems.

Short biography: Malcolm Kennett obtained his B.Sc and M.Sc degrees in Astrophysics from the University of Sydney, followed by a Ph.D in Condensed Matter Theory at Princeton University. He was a postdoc in the Theory of Condensed Matter Group at the University of Cambridge before moving to SFU as a faculty member in 2005. He currently works on out of equilibrium dynamics in strongly interacting quantum systems, with a focus on ultra-cold atoms, and on properties of quantum materials.

FABrIC Build Your Own Superconducting Quantum Device Workshop
2025-10-20 - 2025-10-24 | University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
A growing number of Canadian companies (i.e., Qubic, Xanadu, Nord Quantique, DWave, Anyon Systems) are now building quantum computers based on superconducting technology, requiring a combination of components such as quantum bits, couplers, and control and readout lines in a single chip. A local start-up like Red Blue Quantum, based in Waterloo, is providing qubit and superconducting circuit fabrication services to the ecosystem, and its founders have been involved as instructors, participants, or advisers in this event in previous editions. At least one company, Qubic Technologies, is leveraging the technology for sensing, transmitting and receiving applications, making its mark in the field. All these require an understanding of the hardware they rely upon. A small design or fabrication error may lead to a complete failure of a quantum-computer chip or sensor, wasting development time and resources. Therefore, the talent developing these components must master fundamental concepts of physics (quantum mechanics and superconductivity) and state-of-the-art design and simulation tools and techniques to fabricate working devices. Additionally, earlier established companies, including Keysight, Siemens, and Cadence, are opening quantum divisions and providing supporting elements such as tools and instrumentations to the quantum ecosystem. And they can use events such as this one to scope out the requirements for their products. Many other companies or organizations focusing on quantum computing can benefit from a better understanding of the issues faced by the hardware in reproducing the quantum states upon which their applications and algorithms are built.

To train highly qualified personnel to develop state-of-the-art quantum computers, CMC Microsystems is joining forces with the Institute for Quantum Computing/University of Waterloo, Institut quantique, University of Victoria, and University of British Columbia to deliver the 5th edition of the “Build your Own Superconducting Quantum Device Workshop”. The workshop will provide a training experience for 50 participants from industry, as well as Canadian and foreign universities, with relevant science or engineering backgrounds.

The workshop will teach participants how to design, simulate, fabricate, and test their superconducting circuits. It will cover the fundamentals of superconductors and Josephson junctions, and how to design circuits such as resonators and qubits. Trainees will brainstorm device ideas with leading Canadian universities and industry researchers. They will use CMC-provided CAD tools to design, simulate, and submit devices for fabrication. Most trainees will test their chips at their home institution.

During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to attend the Quantum Networking Day. Moreover, attendees are encouraged to participate in the Superconducting Quantum Device Design Awards (See details below). Don’t miss CMC BasecampTM Build Your Own Superconducting Quantum Device workshop, which will allow you to learn why superconducting devices are at the heart of today’s commercial quantum computers such as those of Nord Quantique, Anyon Systems, D-Wave, and IBM.

Superconducting Quantum Device Design Awards

Participants are encouraged to participate in a Device Design Award (a virtual event) in March 2026. The best design ideas will be awarded* for the fabrication of their devices.
Eligibility criteria:

Attend the in-person workshop.
Be enrolled in graduate studies in Canada.
Submit the design layout file for evaluation during the Device Design Award.
Present their device ideas to a panel of experts at the Device Design Award event.
Agree to submit a device test report 4 to 6 months after receiving the fabricated device.

*A limited number of awards are available.

For More Info And To Register

Quantum BC Seminar with Dr. Gregor Weihs
2025-10-28 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 2pm BC Time with Dr. Gregor Weihs
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join in Person At SFU Burnaby: SCP 8445.2
Seminar Title: Quantum Science Austria & Quantum Light Sources

Seminar Abstract:
This presentation will have two parts. For one I would like to introduce Quantum Science Austria, a large Cluster of Excellence funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). Under its umbrella about 70 research groups at six Austrian institutions pursue cutting-edge research on three topics in fundamental quantum science: “Quantum Physics of Space, Time and Gravity”, “New Paradigms of Quantum Information Science”, and “Physics of Engineered Quantum Many-Body Systems”. In addition to its research the Cluster promotes training of early-stage researchers and knowledge and technology transfer.
The second part of my presentation is all about quantum light sources. High-quality single photons, entangled photon pairs and other quantum states of light are what powers optical quantum information processing and quantum communication. In our research we rely on spontaneous parametric down-conversion in crystals or waveguides and on single semiconductor quantum dots.
Recent results include photons with unprecedented spectral purity through joint nonlinearity and pump engineering, ultra-wide-band photon pairs from integrated nonlinear semiconductor waveguides [1], single photons from quantum dots with controllable photon-number coherence [2], and coherent control of dark states in quantum dots for advanced encoding in quantum communication [3].

Thiel, L. Jehle, R. J. Chapman, et al., Time-bin entanglement at telecom wavelengths from a hybrid photonic integrated circuit, Scientific Reports 14, 9990 (2024), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60758-4
Karli, D. A. Vajner, F. Kappe, et al., Controlling the photon number coherence of solid-state quantum light sources for quantum cryptography, npj Quantum Information 10, 17 (2024), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-024-00811-2
Kappe, R. Schwarz, Y. Karli, et al., Keeping the photon in the dark: Enabling quantum dot dark state control by chirped pulses and magnetic fields, Science Advances 11, eadu4261 (2025), https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adu4261

Short Bio:
Gregor Weihs is Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Innsbruck, Professor of Photonics at its Department for Experimental Physics and Director of Research of the Cluster of Excellence Quantum Science Austria. He received his MSc degree from Innsbruck University in 1994. His PhD degree from Vienna University was awarded “sub auspiciis praesidentis” by the President of the Austrian Republic in 2000. Before returning to Innsbruck, he held a junior faculty position at the University of Vienna, was Consulting Assistant Professor at Stanford University, Research Fellow at the University of Tokyo, and Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo, Canada, where he was awarded the Canada Research Chair in Quantum Photonics. From 2016 to 2021 he was the Vice-President for Natural Sciences and Engineering of the Austrian Science Fund and its interim President for several months. Other major awards include a Starting Grant by the European Research Council and the Wilhelm-Exner medal of the Austrian Trade and Crafts Association. He was a member of the Young Academy of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a Fellow in the QIP program of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. His research interests include fundamental physics, quantum and semiconductor optics and quantum information.

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Irina Paci
2025-11-04 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 2pm BC Time with Dr. Irina Paci
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join in Person at UVic: ELL 305
Seminar Title: Computational Modelling of Polarization in Quantum Materials
Seminar Abstract: Polarization links atomic-scale charge rearrangements to the emergent behavior of quantum materials, underlying dielectric and optical response, charge noise and qubit coherence. In this talk, I will outline how first-principles calculations can capture these effects, moving from the modern Berry-phase theory of polarization to its practical implementation in density-functional and finite-field formalisms. I will discuss recent literature as well as our group’s work in understanding how polarization evolves at surfaces, interfaces, and low-symmetry environments relevant in quantum applications. Applications of theory to oxide-based dielectrics and ferroelectrics and their heterostructures illustrate how computed polarization differences, local dipoles, and defect-induced fields relate to measurable quantities. I will conclude with ongoing efforts in our group to use data-driven modeling to identify low-noise, polarization-tunable materials for quantum technologies.

Short biography: Irina Paci is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Victoria. She completed her B.Sc. in Iași, Romania, and earned her Ph.D. at Queen’s University in Kingston, where she developed integral equation theories for liquids with low symmetry, including chiral and nematic systems. In 2004, she joined Northwestern University as a postdoctoral fellow with Mark Ratner, working on topics ranging from singlet fission processes for solar cells to self-assembled nanodielectrics and dip-pen nanolithography.
Since establishing her group at the University of Victoria in 2007, Dr. Paci has focused on developing and applying computational and theoretical methods for complex, nanostructured materials. Her group investigates polarization and optoelectronic response in metal and metal-oxide systems, with the dual goals of improving theoretical methodologies and guiding materials design for specific applications. A complementary research direction explores molecular and precursor deposition on metallic and oxide substrates, combining quantum-level investigations of binding and structure with mesoscale simulations to connect local interactions to macroscopic behavior.

Comm^2 Workshop
2025-11-13 - 2025-11-14 | University of British Columbia, Macleod Room 3038, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Workshop
2025-11-26 13:30 - 16:30
Our annual online EDI workshop will take place on Wednesday, November 26 from 1:30 to 4:30pm. To find out more and register please email bahiyyih.peters@ubc.ca

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. James Brown
2026-01-13 13:30 - 14:30
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 1:30pm BC Time with Dr. James Brown
Please note the earlier start time at 1:30pm

Title: Empowering Quantum Research and Education: New Algorithmic Approaches and the qBraid Platform.
Abstract:
This talk presents recent advances in quantum computing research at qBraid alongside practical tools designed to accelerate both research and education in quantum computing. The first half of the talk will explore three cutting-edge research directions that address key challenges in quantum algorithms and molecular simulation. These include 1)An onion quantum reservoir computing (QRC) architecture for time-series prediction, inspired by classical echo state networks. By simultaneously evolving multiple quantum reservoirs that capture different temporal scales through controlled eigenvalue spectrum manipulation, we achieve superior performance in predicting aluminum alloy degradation under varying environmental conditions while maintaining shallow circuit depths suitable for current NISQ devices. 2)Improvements to the Generalized Superfast Encoding (GSE), a Fermion-to-qubit mapping designed for molecular Hamiltonians. Through path optimization, multi-edge graph structures for enhanced error detection, and efficient stabilizer measurement frameworks, our approach significantly outperforms traditional mappings like Jordan-Wigner and Bravyi-Kitaev. 3) We examine Hamiltonian transformations inspired by Qubit Coupled Cluster (QCC) methods that generate Clifford transformations deterministically. These techniques produce efficient classical approximations with accuracy between MP2 and CISD while significantly reducing entanglement, enabling improved DMRG calculations and low-depth VQE circuits with reduced CNOT counts. The second half of the talk will feature a live demonstration of the qBraid platform, which provides seamless access to GPUs, CPUs, and QPUs, alongside qBook—an interactive, web-based notebook environment designed to transform quantum computing education. These tools lower barriers to entry for students and researchers across the Quantum BC consortium institutions, enabling hands-on exploration of quantum algorithms and immediate implementation of cutting-edge research techniques.

Bio : I am a research scientist and software developer who develops and implements methods to calculate properties of materials using both classical and quantum/ quantum-inspired algorithms. I have published about methods to calculate a broad range of material properties including molecular vibrations, vibronic dynamics and electronic structure.

Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=q0R3tm8AAAAJ&hl=en)
Open-Source Software developed from research.
Tangelo (https://github.com/goodchemistryco/Tangelo)
TDDFTinversion (https://github.com/brownj42/TDDFTinversion)
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Jinyang Li from RIKEN
2026-02-10 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 2:00pm BC Time with Jinyang Li
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]

Seminar Title: Neural Operator Learning in Quantum Simulations

Seminar Abstract:
Simulating the real-time operator dynamics is crucial to characterize quantum many-body systems. The simulation can be performed efficiently using quantum computers and potentially exhibiting a practical quantum advantage over classical computers. However, due to decoherence in quantum simulators, the operator dynamics is limited within a short evolution time, such that the quantum systems are characterized with low accuracy. On the other hand, given the short-time data, neural networks with physics priors can potentially learn the operator dynamics and predict the long-time behavior. In this work, we implement neural ordinary differential equations (Neural ODEs) to learn the intrinsic dynamics from the short-time signal and extract physical kernels. By exploiting physical symmetries and locality, it reduces complexity while retaining essential operator dynamics. Our method provides a scalable and data-efficient avenue to characterize quantum many-body systems using noisy quantum computers where long-time dynamics is unavailable.

Short Bio:
Junior Research Associate, Division of Fundamental Mathematical Science, RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS)
Student Trainee, Division of Fundamental Mathematical Science, RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) (concurrent)
My research at ITHEMS aligns with Quantum computing and machine learning. I have experience in optical quantum sensors and QCD thermal history.
Recently, I have become interested in utilizing both quantum and computer techniques to figure out some hints of underlying physics rules that are hard to discover directly. I am also interested in how closely a ML model can imitate a human, or more precisely, a physicist. For example, using ML method to study the intrinsic dynamics of a quantum process and make a long-term prediction.

Quantum Days
2026-02-18 - 2026-02-20 | Victoria Conference Centre
Join us for this annual event happening right here in BC!

Quantum Days 2026
Victoria Conference Centre
February 18-20, 2026
Details: https://2026.quantumdays.ca/

Quantum BC Seminar Series - Dr. Wojtek Fedorko
2026-04-14 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 2:00pm BC Time with Dr. Wojtek Fedorko (Triumf)
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]

Quantum BC Research Day at the University of Victoria
2026-04-24 10:00 - 17:00 | University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
Please join us for the 4th annual Quantum BC Research Day, taking place at the University of Victoria on Friday, April 24, 2026 from 10am to 5pm.

Register Here for Quantum BC Research Day 2026 at UVic

QBC Seminar with Tristan Zaborniak
2026-05-12 14:00 - 15:00
Quantum BC Seminar Series Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 2:00pm BC Time with Tristan Zaborniak (University of Victoria)
Join on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/69443327772?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 694 4332 7772 Passcode: [REDACTED]
