Quantum Photonic Modelling in Chicago, with Mirella Koleva, Quantopticon.

06/12/24 • 49 min

This time we focus in on modelling, simulation, quantum digital-twin? Okay I made up that last one. Mirella joins us from Quantopticon and I ask lots of questions about the ins and outs of modelling quantum photonic devices in classical computers for optimising product design and beyond.

Highlights:

Introduction: The episode starts with an introduction to the topic and the guest, Dr. Mirella Koleva, who is the CEO of Quantopticon and specializes in simulating quantum photonic devices and modelling quantum systems from first principles.
Quantum Computing and Photonic Devices: The discussion covers the basics of quantum computing and the role of photonic devices, including how Quantopticon is innovating in this field with their software.
Quantum Modelling and Systems: The conversation delves into quantum modeling techniques and the importance of first principles in physics, with explanations on how these principles are applied in simulations.
Software Development for Quantum Simulation: This section provides an overview of the software development process for creating quantum simulation tools, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs in developing efficient and accurate quantum simulations.
CEO Insights and Industry Trends: Dr. Mirella shares her experiences as a CEO in the tech industry, discussing current trends and future directions in quantum technology and photonics.
Research and Development in Quantum Mechanics: The discussion explores ongoing research projects and their potential impact on the field, emphasizing the role of innovation and collaboration in advancing quantum mechanics.
Conclusion: The episode concludes with final thoughts on the future of quantum computing and photonic devices, summarizing the key takeaways from the discussion.

Highlights:

Introduction: The episode starts with an introduction to the topic and the guest, Dr. Mirella Koleva, who is the CEO of Quantopticon and specializes in simulating quantum photonic devices and modelling quantum systems from first principles.
Quantum Computing and Photonic Devices: The discussion covers the basics of quantum computing and the role of photonic devices, including how Quantopticon is innovating in this field with their software.
Quantum Modelling and Systems: The conversation delves into quantum modeling techniques and the importance of first principles in physics, with explanations on how these principles are applied in simulations.
Software Development for Quantum Simulation: This section provides an overview of the software development process for creating quantum simulation tools, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs in developing efficient and accurate quantum simulations.
CEO Insights and Industry Trends: Dr. Mirella shares her experiences as a CEO in the tech industry, discussing current trends and future directions in quantum technology and photonics.
Research and Development in Quantum Mechanics: The discussion explores ongoing research projects and their potential impact on the field, emphasizing the role of innovation and collaboration in advancing quantum mechanics.
Conclusion: The episode concludes with final thoughts on the future of quantum computing and photonic devices, summarizing the key takeaways from the discussion.

Previous Episode

Next-Generation Quantum Networking in Delft, with Wojciech Kozlowski, QuTech.

Episode Overview
In this episode of The Quantum Divide, Dan welcomes Wojciech Kozlowski to discuss the current state of quantum networking. Wojciech shares his unique journey from academia, where he specialized in quantum physics and optics, to his role as a software developer in classical IT, and finally to his current position where he combines both fields. The conversation delves deep into the technical and professional aspects of quantum networking, providing listeners with valuable insights into this cutting-edge field.

Key Topics Covered

Wojciech's Background and Career Journey

Master's degree in theoretical quantum physics from Cambridge
PhD in theoretical quantum optics from Oxford, focusing on the interaction of quantized light with ultra-cold gases
Transition from academia to software engineering at Metaswitch in London
Integration of quantum physics expertise with computer networking skills

Quantum Networking Fundamentals

- Explanation of quantum entanglement and its significance in networking
- Challenges and methods of entanglement generation and distribution
- Importance of timing precision in quantum networks

Technical Insights

- Overview of Wojciech's work at QuTech, including the development of the software stack and network protocols for the quantum internet
- Discussion of heralded entanglement generation using nitrogen vacancy centers
- The concept of QNodeOS and its role in managing quantum network nodes

Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA)

- Goals and ambitions of the Quantum Internet Alliance, aiming for a prototype network by 2029
- Collaboration across 40+ partners in Europe to develop a global quantum internet
- Emphasis on a full-stack approach, including hardware, software, and protocol development

Standardization and Research

- Wojciech's role in the Quantum Internet Research Group (QIRG) under the IRTF
- Development of informational and experimental RFCs to foster research collaboration
- Potential future standardization efforts in organizations like ITU and ETSI

Innovative Projects and Future Directions

Integration of quantum networking with SDN principles using P4 programming
Exploration of new protocols and control plane strategies for enhanced network performance
Speculative discussion on the future applications and advancements in quantum networking

Notable Quotes

"Quantum networks are all about adding new functionality that isn't possible otherwise. It's not about faster or more; it's about completely new things you could not do before." – Wojciech Kozlowski
"The rate of innovation that SDN enables really is its selling point for a technology that's heavily in research." – Wojciech Kozlowski

References and Resources

QuTech: QuTech Website
Quantum Internet Alliance: Quantum Internet Alliance Website
P4 Programming Language: P4 Language Website
Quantum Internet Research Group (QIRG): QIRG at IRTF

How to Support the Podcast

Subscribe and follow on your favorite podcast platform
Leave a review to help others discover the show
Share the podcast with friends and colleagues interested in quantum networking

Next Episode

Quantum Fundamental Constants in Brighton, with Amber Shepherd, University of Sussex.

In this episode, we take a slight tangent from our usual discussions on quantum networking to have a fascinating conversation with Amber Sheppard, a PhD student at the University of Sussex in the UK. Amber shares insights into her intriguing experiments involving quantum clocks, which she uses to measure potential shifts in the fundamental constants, specifically the mass ratio of the photon and the electron.

Throughout the episode, we explore the following key topics:

The innovative use of quantum clocks in Amber's research.
Detailed explanations of how these clocks can detect shifts in fundamental constants.
The significance of measuring the mass ratio between photons and electrons.
The types of lasers used in the experiment and how they compare to traditional optical transceivers from the IT domain
The broader implications of this research in the field of quantum technology.

Amber's work is a prime example of how cutting-edge quantum technology can deepen our understanding of the universe's fundamental properties. Join us as we delve into the specifics of her experiments and discuss the potential future applications of her findings in quantum computing and beyond. Tune in to gain a deeper appreciation of the complexities and possibilities within the realm of quantum technology.

The Quantum Divide - Quantum Photonic Modelling in Chicago, with Mirella Koleva, Quantopticon.

Transcript

Dan00:00:12.586

Hey there and welcome back to the quantum divide. Uh, this week we're talking to Dr. Mirella.. Koleva. And, uh, she's from contact to con she's the CEO. They developed software for simulating quantum photonic devices. And specializing quantum modeling, quantum systems. From first principles. So we're going to dive into really the physics of it here. And I hope you enjoy it. It was a great conversation. Let's go for it. Mirella, thank you very much for