CQT Colloquium by Georgy Shlyapnikov, LPTMS, CNRS, Orsay, France

Title: New trends in the physics of disordered quantum systems
Date/Time: 19-Sep, 04:00PM
Venue: CQT Level 3 Seminar Room, S15-03-15

Abstract: I will give a brief overview of the studies of cold atoms in disorder and focus on the observations of disorder-related phase transitions and on the character of eigenstates. After the discovery of Anderson localization of particles in disorder about 60 years ago, it was thought that all extended (non-localized) states are ergodic except for a single point of the mobility edge in three dimensions where the state has been found multifractal. However, during last three years theoretical studies found systems with bands of both non-ergodic (multifractal) extended states and ergodic states. Thus, aside from the celebrated Anderson localization delocalization transition, there can be one more disorder related transition: the phase transition between ergodic and non-ergodic extended states. I will show the existence of this transition for disordered systems with long-range hops (polar molecules randomly spaced in a lattice, quasi-one-dimensional lattice of trapped ions).

CQT Talk by Ernest Tan, ETH, Zurich

Title: Advantage distillation for device-independent quantum key distribution
Date/Time: 18-Sep, 04:00PM
Venue: CQT Level 3 Seminar Room, S15-03-15

Abstract: Device-independent quantum key distribution (DIQKD) offers the prospect of distributing secret keys with minimal security assumptions, by making use of a Bell violation. However, existing DIQKD security proofs have low noise tolerances, making an experimental implementation currently infeasible. We study whether this issue can be overcome by using advantage distillation, which refers to using two-way communication in place of the one-way error-correction used in current DIQKD security proofs. We prove that advantage distillation indeed allows for higher noise tolerances against collective attacks, which could serve as a step towards a proof-of-principle demonstration of DIQKD.

CQT Talk by Rene Schwonnek, NUS Faculty of Engineering

Title: Computing secure key rates for quantum key distribution with untrusted devices
Date/Time: 18-Sep, 05:00PM
Venue: CQT Level 3 Seminar Room, S15-03-15

Abstract: The ability to compute reliable secure key rates is the crucial need for any practical implementation of a new quantum key distribution protocol. We present a toolbox that allows us to estimate secure key rates by an hierarchy of semi definite programs. Our method is applicable to general protocols and it adapts naturally to either device dependent, semi- device independent or fully device independent assumption on the underlying physical implementation.
In particular, our method can be applied to obtain secret key rates from any Bell inequality.

Further reading:
arXiv:1908.11372

CQT-SGInnovate Event

Title: Building Quantum Computers: Current State of the Art, Use Cases, and Challenges & Opportunities Ahead
Date/Time: 19-Sep, 03:30PM
Venue: BASH, Level 3, 79 Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore 139955 via Lift Lobby 3

Building a prototype quantum computer has been perhaps one of the most exciting and controversial topics in quantum science and engineering in the last few years. Quantum computing, and quantum technologies in general, with their potential disruptive applications in a variety of disciplines, have forced countries, government agencies, and private institutions to invest heavily into this area anticipating the future developments. In this quantum event, we will discuss the current state of the art in building quantum hardware, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and summarise possible use cases that near and mid-term quantum processors could apply to. 

Programme Details: 
3:30pm – 4:00pm: Registration 
4:00pm – 4:40pm: Presentation on ‘Building Quantum Hardware at Google’ by Dr Daniel Sank, Senior Research Scientist – Quantum AI, Google 
4:40pm – 5:00pm: Presentation on ‘Quantum Computing Use Cases with Near Term Devices: A Brief Review’ by Prof Dimitris Angelakis, Principal Investigator, Centre for Quantum Technologies 
5:00pm – 5:30pm: Q&A 
5:30pm – 6:00pm: Networking 

Speakers’ Profiles: 
Dr Daniel Sank, Senior Research Scientist – Quantum AI, Google 
Dr Daniel Sank is a Senior Research Scientist at Google Quantum. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics at Yale University and his PhD at the University of California (UC) Santa Barbara with John Martinis. At UC Santa Barbara, Daniel demonstrated world record speed and accuracy in the measurement and readout of superconducting qubits. He then joined Google Quantum where he works on quantum state readout theory and experiment, electronics design, and team growth. Daniel is dedicated to pedagogical and outreach activities in science. He has recently participated in industry panels at the American Physical Society (APS) March Meeting and the Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) conference at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Daniel also presented at a seminar and lab tour for the quantum students at the University of Bristol, the Google X Cirq Bootcamp, and the Quantum Casts YouTube video series. Daniel is particularly interested in meeting students who wish to enter the field of quantum computing. 

Prof Dimitris Angelakis, Principal Investigator, Centre for Quantum Technologies 
Prof Dimitris Angelakis is a Principal Investigator at the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) in the National University of Singapore, leading the Quantum Simulators and Quantum Technologies Group. He is known for his works in quantum computation and as a pioneer of quantum simulations with light-matter systems. He completed his PhD at Imperial College in Quantum Optics with Prof Sir P Knight FRS and then moved to Cambridge University in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and the Centre for Quantum Computing as an independent St Catharine's College Research Fellow. Dimitris' research has received several awards including two Google Quantum Innovation Awards, the Valerie Myescrough Award from the University of London, and the Quantum Electronics and Photonics PhD Thesis Prize from the Institute of Physics, United Kingdom. He is serving in different academic and national science advisory bodies including the European National Quantum Network of the European Flagship Project in Quantum Technologies and is leading the Greek National Flagship on Quantum Technologies. In parallel to his academic work, he consults for industry, banking and IT sectors about the potential applications of quantum computing in businesses. He is also Associate Professor at the Technical University of Crete. 

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/building-quantum-computers-current-state-of-the-art-use-cases-and-challenges-opportunities-ahead-tickets-71771152449

CQT-SGInnovate Event

Title: Is Building a Deep Tech Startup for You?
Date/Time: 17-Sep, 04:00PM
Venue: CQT Level 3 Seminar Room, S15-03-15

Building a successful global deep tech startup is one of the most challenging endeavours a person can undertake. Statistics show how low the success rate is for founders who start such companies, yet rewards can be high. And nothing shouts deep tech louder than a quantum related startup. Due to the growing recognition of how quantum technology can address some of the world’s biggest problems today, interest in startups in the quantum space is growing amongst corporations, entrepreneurs and investors. According to CB insights, the total number of investments in quantum startups increased worldwide from 7 in 2013 to 24 in 2018, with more than $200M invested in 2017. In Singapore, SGInnovate, with investments in 3 quantum related startups, is the biggest investor in this space. In collaboration with Centre for Quantum Technologies, Hsien Hui Tong, Head of SGInnovate’s Venture Investing team, will share with the community what he looks for when assessing and evaluating a startup investment opportunity. Having previously founded and exited a startup in the early 2000s, he will also share some of the challenges he faced as a deep tech startup founder in those days and how some of these issues have been addressed today.