Dr. Tony X Zhou: A Journey to next Bell Lab

Abstract: Bell Lab symbolizes the pinnacle of human innovation. From the point humans discovering tools to survive, to formation of Royal Society which formulated standard scientific research practice, and to the rise and fall of Bell Telephone Laboratories, key places bring key people in momentous times. The intersections of the above key elements serve as a roadmap of scientific discovery. In this presentation, I will describe my journey to my current destination, a place of innovation and empowerment. Next, a short introduction to Northrop Grumman (NG) will be illustrated, and I will discuss a couple of efforts taking place in NG to connect today’s technology to the one of future. The truth is that the next “Bell Lab” hasn’t been born but its conception hinges upon you the reader whether to take a bold move and leap into the transformational computing revolution that NG is spearheading.

About Speaker: Tony is a physicist at Northrop Grumman working on quantum information science research. Tony completed a B.S. in Engineering Physics at University of Colorado at Boulder, a PhD. in Applied Physics at Harvard. In his PhD, he worked on discovery of condensed matter physics by using a qubit sensor in diamond as a magnetometer probe. In his postdoc at the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE), MIT, he focused on topics related to superconducting electronics. That includes superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) research and development (R&D), using SNSPD to search for dark matter, superconducting electronics for space exploration, high critical temperature (h-Tc) superconducting electronics, and their integration into a quantum network. Tony is currently a physicist at Northrop Grumman to discover new things in the path to develop next generation of computing technology.

Dr. Beibei Zeng: Integration and Packaging of Nanophotonic Devices

Abstract: Nanophotonic devices combine the benefits of photonics and electronics on the same chip, leading to next-generation smaller, faster and cheaper on-chip optoelectronic devices. This talk will focus on exploiting unique photonic properties of a range of nanostructures, and showing the industrial efforts towards building real-world functional devices by integrating and packaging these nanophotonic devices for biosensing, IR modulation/detection, and next-generation optical/quantum communications.    

About Speaker: Dr. Beibei Zeng is a quantum research scientist at AWS. Prior to joining AWS, he was a senior optical scientist at Corning Inc. He received B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Jilin University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Lehigh University in PA, respectively. His current research interests include nanophotonics, nanofabrication, photonic integration and packaging and their applications in next-generation optical/quantum communications.

Prof. Su-Yang Xu: Optical Control of Antiferromagnetic Order

Abstract: Using circularly-polarized light to control quantum matter is a highly intriguing topic in physics, chemistry and biology. Antiferromagnets (AFMs) have zero net M, so AFM domains are immune to perturbing magnetic field. This leads to the prospect of robust magnetic storage. However, this robustness also means that manipulating fully-compensated AFM order is extremely difficult. We report the surprising observation of helicity-dependent optical control of fully-compensated antiferromagnetic (AFM) order in 2D even-layered MnBi2Te4, a topological Axion insulator with neither chirality nor magnetization. We demonstrated helicity-dependent optical creation of AFM domain walls by double induction beams and the direct reversal of AFM domains by ultrafast pulses. The control and reversal of AFM domains and domain walls by light helicity have never been achieved in any fully-compensated AFM. To understand this optical control, we studied an AFM circular dichroism (CD) proportional to the AFM order, which only appears in reflection but is absent in transmission. We showed that the optical control and CD both arise from the optical Axion electrodynamics. The Axion induction provides the possibility to optically control a family of PT-symmetric AFMs such as Cr2O3, even-layered CrI3, and possibly pseudo-gap state in cuprates.

J. Qiu, et al. “Axion optical induction of antiferromagnetic order” Nature Materials s41563-023-01493-5 (2023).

About Speaker: Suyang Xu received PhD in the Physics Department of Princeton University under the supervision of Prof. M. Zahid Hasan. During his phd, Xu experimentally realized a wide range of new topological phases of matter, including the discovery of the Weyl semimetal in the TaAs class of material, which was selected as a top10 breakthrough in physics in 2015. In 2016, Xu moved to MIT Physics for postdoc under the supervision of Prof. Nuh Gedik. There, Xu pioneered in nonlinear optical studies of topological materials including photocurrents, nonlinear Hall and second-harmonic generation. In 2020, Xu started his independent career in the department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard as an assistant professor.

Prof. Dirk R Englund: Programming Complex Systems for Quantum Information & Machine Learning

Abstract: After several decades of intensive theoretical and experimental efforts, the field of quantum information processing is at a critical moment: special-purpose quantum information processors are at or past the “quantum complexity frontier” where classical computers can no longer predict their outputs: we can “program complexity”, unable to predict the outcome. Meanwhile, new technologies to connect quantum processors by photons give rise to quantum networks with functions impossible on today’s “classical-physics” internet.

But to harness the power of quantum complexity in “noisy intermediate-scale” quantum computers and networks, we need new methods to control and understand them — and perhaps to manage noise sufficiently to reach fault tolerance. This talk discusses one approach: large-scale programmable photonic integrated circuits (PICs) designed to control photons and atomic or atom-like quantum memories.

The second part of the talk considers another “complexity frontier” requiring large-scale control: that encountered in machine learning and signal processing. These problems present new opportunities at the intersection with quantum information technologies — specifically, we will consider new directions for processing classical and quantum information in deep learning neural networks architectures, with a particular focus on hardware error correction.

About Speaker: Dirk Englund received his BS in Physics from Caltech (2002), MS in Electrical Engineering at Stanford, and PhD in Applied Physics also at Stanford (2008). After a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, he joined Columbia University as Assistant Professor of E.E. and of Applied Physics. He joined the MIT EECS faculty in 2013. Major recognitions include the Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering, the Sloan Fellowship in Physics, the OSA’s Adolph Lomb Medal, the Bose Research Fellowship, and the A.v. Humboldt Research Fellowship . He’s a fellow of the Optica Society.

Dr. Neil Sinclair: Lithium Niobate Devices for Photonics and Quantum Information

Abstract: The properties of lithium niobate: low optical loss, large second-order optical and electro-optic nonlinearities, and, recently, its use in integrated nanoscale devices, have driven advances in both applications and our understanding of light. We discuss photonic experiments performed jointly between Caltech, Fermilab, and the Jet Propulsion Lab using off-the-shelf lithium niobate waveguides as well as those performed at Harvard leveraging the novel functionalities offered by the thin-film lithium niobate platform.

About Speaker: Dr. Neil Sinclair is a Research Scientist at Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and under Caltech’s Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. Neil studied quantum entanglement with Shohini Ghose during his B.Sc. studies at the University of Waterloo before joining Wolfgang Tittel’s group at the University of Calgary for his graduate work. In Calgary, he developed rare-earth-ion-doped crystals for quantum communication and signal processing applications. As a postdoctoral scholar he worked on projects in quantum optics with Maria Spiropulu at Caltech and nanophotonics with Marko Lončar at Harvard. Neil continues to advance these areas of work as a Research Scientist.

Prof. Evelyn Hu: Creating Color Centers with Spin: Forming Silicon Vacancies in 4H SiC Using Lasers

Abstract: In the past few years, there has been much excitement and development of color centers in materials such as diamond and SiC. These color centers are often related to “defects” such vacancies or “missing atoms”. The focus of this talk will be on Silicon Vacancies in 4H SiC. The power of such defects lie in their ability to manifest coherent spin states which can be initialized and read-out by optical signals. This provides a powerful advantage for color centers as quantum mechanical bits, or qubits. The engineered creation of such defects has principally used techniques that direct the kinetic energy of charged beams (ion implantation, electron irradiation) to break bonds to create the defects. This talk will focus on a recently developed process that uses a laser to “write” Silicon Vacancies directly into photonic crystal cavities. The laser utilizes a frequency corresponding to photon energies above the bandgap of the 4H SiC, and the photonic crystal cavity has been designed to selectively amplify the photon signature of the Silicon Vacancy. The technique provides near real-time, direct feed back on the defect creation process, allowing us to ultimately understand the minimum energies and the optimal conditions required to form such qubits.

About Speaker: Evelyn Hu is Tarr-Coyne Professor of Applied Physics and of Electrical Engineering at Harvard University, she received Ph.D. and Master’s degrees in physics from Columbia University and a B.A. in Physics from Barnard College. Her research matches nanofabrication techniques with the integration of materials that allow the formation of structures and devices that demonstrate exceptional electronic and photonic behavior. This behavior can give rise to efficient, controlled and often coherent output of devices. One example of this is the focus on coupling artificial atoms, such as quantum dots or color centers in diamond, to carefully crafted nanoscale optical cavities.

Prof. Jing Kong: Synthesis and Characterization of 2D Quantum Materials

Abstract: Two dimensional (2D) materials have attracted a lot of interest due to their remarkable properties and great potentials. Their atomically thin thickness has led to very distinctive characteristics setting them apart from their bulk counterpart. They have become a fascinating platform for quantum information science and technology. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method has been widely investigated to synthesis these materials in large area and good quality. In this talk I will present our recent progress on the synthesis and characterization of some of the 2D materials and structures, including Janus 2D monolayers, ferroelectric SnSe flakes and twisting hBN interfaces, and the investigation on their properties and potential applications. The development in the synthesis and integration processes help to open ways in exploring the uncharted territories.

About Speaker: Professor Jing Kong is a principal investigator in the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Professor Kong’s research interests focus on the problem of combining the synthesis and fabrication of individual carbon nanotubes and integrating them into electrical circuits. Applications of her research include the use of carbon nanotubes as extremely sensitive chemical sensors to detect toxic gases. Professor Kong is member of the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society, and the Materials Research Society. She received the 2001 Foresight Distinguished Student Award in Nanotechnology in 2001, the Stanford Annual Reviews Prize in Physical Chemistry in 2002, and the MIT 3M Award in 2005.

Prof. Philip Kim: Engineered quantum materials using van
der Waals atomic layer heterostructures

Abstract: Over the last 50 years, two-dimensional (2D) electron systems have served as a key material platform for the investigation of fascinating quantum phenomena in engineered material systems. Recently, scientists have found that it is feasible to produce van der Waals (vdW) layered materials that are atomically thin. In these atomically thin materials, quantum physics enables electrons to move effectively only in a 2D space. Additionally, by stacking these 2D quantum materials, it is also possible to create atomically thin vdW heterostructures with an extensive range of interfacial electronic and optical properties. Novel 2D electronic systems realized in vdW atomic stacks have served as an engineered quantum material platform. In this presentation, we will discuss several research initiatives aimed at realizing emergent physical phenomena in stacked vdW interfaces between 2D materials.

About Speaker: Philip Kim is Professor of Physics and Professor Applied Physics at Harvard University. Professor Kim is a world leading scientist in the area of materials research. His research area is experimental condensed matter physics with an emphasis on physical properties and applications of nanoscale low-dimensional materials.  The focus of Prof. Kim’s group research is the mesoscopic investigation of transport phenomena, particularly, electric, thermal and thermoelectrical properties of low dimensional nanoscale materials.

Prof. Amir Yacoby: Local Quantum Probes of Quantum Matter

Abstract: Major scientific discoveries are often enabled by new measurement capabilities that provide novel perspectives into complex physical problems. Recent advances and discoveries made on quantum materials have challenged experimentalists to come up with new ways to probe their intrinsic properties. In this talk I will review some of the recent work we have done to develop a variety of local quantum sensing techniques as well as their application for exploring quantum matter.

About Speaker: Amir Yacoby is a Professor of Physics at Harvard University. He is also a Professor of Applied Physics at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University and a visiting Professor at the University of Waterloo. He currently holds the Lazaridis Chair in Physics. Following a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering and a master’s degree in theoretical physics professor Yacoby turned to experimental condensed matter physics. He received his PhD in 1994 from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. His work focused on understanding coherence in quantum mesoscopic systems. During his postdoc at Bell labs prof. Yacoby developed new techniques to explore electrical conduction in quantum wires and was the first to observe spin-charge separation, a hallmark of Luttinger Liquids. In 1998 Prof. Yacoby joined the faculty of the Weizmann Institute where he developed new techniques for imaging electrical charge. He joined the Harvard faculty in 2006.

Prof. Marco Loncar: Integrated Photonics for Quantum Interconnects

Abstract: Optical interconnects, empowered by a variety of integrated photonic platforms, form the backbone of modern communication systems, including  tele-com, data-com and microwave-photonics. Similarly, integrated photonic enabled  quantum interconnects will be crucial for realization of quantum networks. In my talk I will discuss quantum photonic platforms based on thin film lithium niobate and diamond and their applications in realization of quantum repeaters and quantum transducers. The former are important for the development of quantum internet while the latter will enable modular quantum computing. 

About Speaker: Marko Lončar is Tiantsai Lin Professor of Electrical Engineering at Harvard’s John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), as well as Harvard College Professor. Lončar is expert in nanophotonics and nanofabrication, and his current research interests include quantum and nonlinear nanophotonics, quantum optomechanics, high-power optics, and nanofabrication. He is a co-founder of and a board member for HyperLight Corporation, VC backed startup commercializing lithium niobate photonic technology.

Dr. Machielse: Diamond Photonics Devices for Quantum
Networking Applications

Abstract: Quantum Networking is a nascent technology which promises to enable provably private information transfer, networked quantum computing, and enhanced quantum sensing. The core component of these networks is a quantum repeater, a device for correcting for loss and infidelities which occur when quantum information is propagated over long distances. The AWS Center for Quantum Networking is exploring candidate systems to serve as such a repeater. One such candidate is the Silicon Vacancy (SiV) in diamond. This platform is unique in having already demonstrated memory enhanced communication and can be integrated into diamond photonic devices. In this talk, I will present recent progress made by the Center for Quantum Networking on implementing a scalable quantum repeater platform. Particular emphasis will be placed on CQN progress on the fabrication and packaging challenges that currently limit the commercialization and performance of these devices.

About Speaker: Bart Machielse is a Quantum Research Scientist at the Center for Quantum Networks at AWS. He completed his PhD at Harvard University in the groups of Mikhail Lukin and Marko Loncar, with a focus on quantum photonic devices for quantum networking applications.