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Quantum Technology Lab (QTL)

Our laboratory offers research projects combining theory and experiment.

The research deals with ultrafast light and matter interactions as a basis for quantum technologies such as metrology and quantum computing.

Projects manager: Shiran Even-Haim shiranev@campus.technion.ac.il


Simulating conditional displacement and GKP state with the IBM quantum computer


In this project, we will write a program that simulates continuous variable quantum computation using the IBM quantum computer's discrete system. We will simulate the conditional displacement gate and create an approximate GKP state of many qubits. We will investigate the limits of discrete to continuum and study the analogy between a quantum walk in discrete variables and the conditional displacement gate in continuous variables.

LabAdmin link: https://labadmin.ef.technion.ac.il/prj/project/view/ProjectId/7759

Key concepts: IBM quantum computer, GKP, conditional displacement, continuous variable quantum computation, quantum walk

Further reading:

Prerequisite: Modern quantum computing course 047006/046054 (studying the course while doing the project is okay)

Contact: Shiran Even-Haim shiranev@campus.technion.ac.il

 


Measuring super-radiance and quantum properties of nano-emitters


In this project, we will investigate the unique properties of electromagnetic radiation emitted from different nanometer emitters excited by free electrons. These features include the photon statistics, the coherence of the radiation, and its spectrum. In addition, we will delve into super-radiance, which is the radiation created when there are many exciters (free electrons) or emitters acting together coherently.

LabAdmin link: https://labadmin.ef.technion.ac.il/prj/project/view/ProjectId/7714

Key concepts: Photon statistics, cathodoluminescence, superradiance

Further reading:

Contact: Yuval Adib yuvalad12@gmail.com


EM field tomography in 2D materials and plasmonic devices


In this project, we will deal with the development of innovative methods for measuring the electromagnetic field in a complete vector manner, that is, direct measurement of all the components of the field. Using these methods, we are interested in investigating two-dimensional materials (materials made of a single number of atomic layers). In these materials, fundamental physical questions surround the way electromagnetic waves travel on the surface. Another direction of research is vector optical mods called Skyrmions, which exist in devices based on the interaction of light with the surface of a metal (plasmonic devices).

LabAdmin link: https://labadmin.ef.technion.ac.il/prj/project/view/ProjectId/7725

Key concepts: EM field tomography, 2D hyperbolic materials, optical skyrmions

Further reading:

Contact: Tal Fishman ftal@ef.technion.ac.il


Design and measurement of THz sources for electron beam shaping and control


In this project, we will develop and characterize laser-pumped sources for generating short electromagnetic pulses in the terahertz range. These sources and the emitted radiation are used to shape the electron beam in the microscope, emphasizing the creation of short/monochromatic electron pulses. We will explore new experiments made possible by these pulses, such as quantum random walk.

LabAdmin link: https://labadmin.ef.technion.ac.il/prj/project/view/ProjectId/7726

Key concepts: Electron monochromation, electron phase-space manipulations

Further reading:

Contact: Michael Yannai yannai.michael@gmail.com


Probabilistic Shortest Path Algorithm for Quantum Communication


Looking for students who desire to contribute to the birth of the quantum internet, through algorithms for quantum communication based on quantum teleportation. We know that quantum information cannot be copied (No-cloning theorem) though it can be communicated from one place to another, using the scheme of quantum teleportation. We can envision chains of users in a quantum internet, connected by a graph structure, who wish to communicate quantum information. This approach has already been proven to be resilient to malicious use like eavesdropping and hacking, but the special nature of quantum communication demands new algorithms for determining the best way to link users in such networks. One such exotic behavior, is the probabilistic nature of quantum measurements, which introduces new links to a network in a probabilistic fashion. New theoretical algorithms are needed to address this new behavior.

LabAdmin link: https://labadmin.ef.technion.ac.il/prj/project/view/ProjectId/7812

Key concepts: Random graphs, quantum communication, shortest path algorithms

Further reading:

Prerequisite:

Contact: Nir Gutman nirgutman212@campus.technion.ac.il 


Protocols Generating Machine for the Creation of Symmetric States

Looking for students experienced with at least one DNN package (e.g. TensorFlow, Pytorch etc.. ) and an enthusiasm for Quantum Computing. A standing challenge in quantum computation and communication is to create quantum states which can encode qubits and be corrected for errors. A new study promises the creation of such quantum light using a specific class of quantum states called “symmetric states”. Here we desire to create an efficient scheme for the creation of symmetric states, based on a mathematical proof for the existence of such schemes. Harnessing the power of auto-differentiation packages like Pytorch, we wish to build a tool that could provide protocols for this task, with the capacity to account for noises in quantum systems.

LabAdmin link: https://labadmin.ef.technion.ac.il/prj/project/view/ProjectId/7813

Key concepts: Quantum Universality, Quantum circuits, Quantum noise channels, Machine Learning

Further reading:

Prerequisite:
  • Required courses: Any course in quantum computation/algorithms/technology
  • Ability to write good-quality code in python
  • Experience with a Deep Neural Network tool. Preferably in python
  • Good to have: Some familiarity with core concepts in quantum information

Measuring laser dynamics and quantum statistics in superradiance-assisted nanolasers (experimental)

Nano-lasers are lasers in the nano-meter size scale. Such lasers have recently been proposed for applications such as on-circuit data delivery. In our lab we are researching specific types of such lasers based on Quasi-2D CsPbBr3 material. Recently we found leads that these lasers incorporate un-usual phenomena in which carriers can obtain quantum synchronization prior to the lasing On-time and consequently boost the laser performance. One of the consequences of this phenomenon is that the emitted light is expected to have non-trivial quantum statistics. In this project, we intend to characterize this phenomenon. We will use an ultra-fast laser to illuminate these lasers and measure the spectrum as well as the quantum statistics of the emitted radiation

 

Contact: Dr. Tal Fishman ftal@technion.ac.il

Simulating conditional displacement and GKP state with the IBM quantum computer (theoretical)

In this project, we will write a program that simulates continuous variable quantum computation using the IBM quantum computer's discrete system. We will simulate the conditional displacement gate and create an approximate GKP state of many qubits. We will investigate the limits of discrete to continuum and study the analogy between a quantum walk in discrete variables and the conditional displacement gate in continuous variables.

Prerequisite: Modern quantum computing course 047006/046054 (studying the course while doing the project is okay)

Contact: Shiran Even-Haim shiranev@campus.technion.ac.il

Design and analysis of a robust, broadband quantum tomography device (theoretical)

In this project, we will design and analyze a novel quantum-optical tomography device. Current methods to analyze the quantum state of light are either robust to noise and loss, but are not able to fully resolve the state, or are very sensitive to loss, but provide the complete state of light. In this project, students will:

  • Combine aspects of both types of devices in order to create a robust and complete quantum analysis (tomography) device.
  • Write a theoretical analysis and a simulation of the device, in order to find the practical capabilities and limitations of the proposed device in terms of losses, dynamic range and bandwidth.
  • Outline a practical design of the device to be built during following projects.: In this project, we will design and analyze a novel quantum-optical tomography device. Current methods to analyze the quantum state of light are either robust to noise and loss, but are not able to fully resolve the state, or are very sensitive to loss, but provide the complete state of light. In this project, students will:
    • Combine aspects of both types of devices in order to create a robust and complete quantum analysis (tomography) device.
    • Write a theoretical analysis and a simulation of the device, in order to find the practical capabilities and limitations of the proposed device in terms of losses, dynamic range and bandwidth.
    • Outline a practical design of the device to be built during following projects.
Contact: Michael Birk birkmichael@gmail.com

UV pulse compressor (experimental)

Goal:

Design and construct a femtosecond ultraviolet (UV) laser pulse compressor, and integrate it into the ultrafast TEM (UTEM) lab optical setup.

Technological gap:

The current optical design uses a Carbide laser (Light Conversion, 1030 nm, 1 MHz rep. rate), which is up-converted to the 4th harmonic (256 nm). This generates transform limited pulses of about 250 fs FWHM.

Observing quantum electron optics phenomena and simultaneously achieving record-high temporal and energy resolution necessitates the use of much shorter UV pulses (down to 5-10 fs).

Critical steps:

  1. Literature survey:
    1. Ultrafast optics basics: Ultrafast lasers, harmonic generation, parametric amplification, dispersion and chirp, dispersion compensation, grating and prism compressors.
    2. Existing techniques for UV pulse compression: (i) multi-pass cell (MPC) (ii) gas-filled fiber. (iii) Anything else?
  2. Compare the existing compression techniques and suggest a conceptual design for each that fits with the existing setup and lab requirements.
  3. Select a design to be realized using the following criteria (partial list): required time and budget, design complexity, space allocation on the optical bench, number of required changes to the existing setup, interference with other modules in the setup, etc.
  4. Simulate the chosen solution using a numerical tool (3D+1 beam propagation method or BPM).
  5. Detailed optical design using a CAD tool (g. SolidWorks).
  6. Select appropriate vendors and order components.
  7. Construct the compressor, characterize the performance and optimize.
Contact: Dr. Michael Yannai smyannai@campus.technion.ac.il

X-ray super resolution using scintillators (experimental)

Setup

The setup consists of the following components:

  • X-ray source
  • Sample (like a bug) (we assume an amplitude mask)
  • Scintillator (X-ray -> visible light)
  • Optical setup (lenses, distances, etc)
  • Pixelized detector (of visible light)

The X-ray source hits the sample which attenuates the X-ray light as a transverse amplitude mask. The sample is attached to a scintillator, which transforms the X-ray light to visible light. The visible light goes through an optical setup and then to a detector.

Project phases

  1. Design the optical setup of 3D (transverse and depth) and imaging
  2. Including recommending which optical components to use. For example – focal lengths, NAs, distances, maybe filters and apertures, etc.
  3. Optimize the scintillation – which scintillator and x-ray energy
  4. Full simulation of the entire process
  5. Experiment – if time permits

Phase 1 – optical setup

To complete this phase:

  1. Construct a theory / simulation that calculates the PSF of a given optical setup (microscope). The emitter is assumed to be a single-wavelength spherical 3D emitter of radius .
  2. What happens if the emitter is of dimensions  and not spherical?
  3. Optimize the optical setup for XY imaging and for Z imaging (depth from defocus).

Concretely, compare the following two realizations and find out which is better

  1. A 2-lens (4-f system) microscope
  2. Microscope with an objective lens (commercial -> complex optical system that acts as a corrected lens)

Currently, we use “depth from defocus” as the method for Z-imaging. Depth from defocus uses the fact that the PSF of an object under an imaging system depends on its location relative to the focal plane. This method can be improved / replaced, depending on our findings.

Phase 2 – optimize scintillation

Optimize the choice of scintillator and energy of xray source to get optimal emitter size and resolution in XY and Z.

To complete this phase:

  1. Construct a simulation (using existing engine by CERN – Geant4) that finds the effective emitter size and characteristics from the scintillator type and incoming X-ray energy
  2. Optimize the emitter size based on realistic scintillators (and maybe “dream-like” scintillators)

Phase 3 – complete simulation

The goal is to construct a full simulation of the experiment

  • Input: scintillator, X-ray energy, sample shape, optical setup
  • Output: predicted output of experiments

Stages (and software components):

  • Construct probability distribution of emitter location and size
  • Calculate the PSF of the optical setup, and use it to construct the probability distribution of the light on the detector
  • Using realistic measurement constraints (losses, count rates, etc), simulate the experiment progression.

Phase 4 – ultimate fun – experiment / hard-core optimization

Depending on the results from Phase 1 and 2, and the simulation from Phase 3, there are several possible good directions.

One direction is to design and perform the experiment 🙂

Another direction is to use more advanced tools to optimize the superresolution. For example:

  • Optimizing the resolution using non-trivial optical elements and non-trivial designs
  • Optimize the scintillator using non-trivial nano-photonic design (layers, disorder)
  • Optimize the data acquisition / analysis using non-trivial signal processing

Contact: Chen Mechel chen0908@gmail.com


Quantum algorithm for a real-world problem #1 and #2 (two projects) (theoretical)

Quantum computing is a multidisciplinary field at the intersection of computer science, physics, and mathematics that seeks to use the information processing power of quantum mechanics to solve otherwise difficult computational problems. The goal of this project is to generate a quantum computing algorithm that can be put into practice to help solve a real-world challenge.

Contact: Dr. Ori Reinhardt ori@technion.ac.il

Advanced x-ray phase contrast imaging (experimental)

We will look into phase contrast x-ray imaging. As x-rays behave differently than other radiations, we cannot use "normal" phase contrast approaches. Therefore, the mains approaches are Talbot interferometry and ptychography.

Literature:

• For Talbot interferometry, please look at the note, which explains well the theory. As for ptychography, there is a lot of information online.

• The basic concepts are presented in the first chapter.

Contact: אבנר שולצמן

Quantum-optical excitement within an ultrafast electron microscope (experimental)

In this project, we will plan and create an ultrafast pulsed light source with quantum properties, to be used as an excitation for samples in the Ultrafast Transmission Electron Microscope (UTEM) of the AdQuanta group. The quantum-optical excitation will then be probed by a following electron pulse in order to explore interaction and correlation structures in the samples.

Contact:Michael Birk birkmichael@gmail.com