A world-travelling quantum device is making its only North American stop at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo.
QuanTour celebrates the advancements in quantum science and technology and the power of collaboration in recognition of the International Year of Quantum (IYQ) Science and Technology, which commemorates 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics. QuanTour is run by the German Physical Society and has sent a device called a quantum dot single-photon source to 14 labs across Europe.
Quantum Photonics Devices Lab researchers Tarun Patel, Catalina Morales Gutiérrez, Sayan Gangopadhyay (L-R) inspecting the quantum dot upon arrival.
A quantum dot is a light source that produces single photons - the smallest quantity of light. These devices could play a key role in realizing a quantum internet to connect devices such as quantum computers and users in a quantum encryption network.
The Quantum Photonic Devices Lab at IQC is one of the stops for QuanTour, which will be at IQC for two weeks in August. The lab is run by Dr. Michael Reimer, IQC faculty member and professor in Waterloo's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Matteo Pennacchietti
Matteo Pennacchietti, a PhD student in Reimer's lab, is one of the key researchers working on the QuanTour source in Canada.
"It's significant to us that QuanTour made our lab the first North American stop. It shows our expertise in quantum dots and a demonstration of our strong ties within the global quantum community," Pennacchietti says. "We are excited to have the dot at our lab to test and validate as it's a different type of device that we are used to working with. There's a lot we can learn from experts in Europe; and vice versa."
