Quantum kittens, cats, combs and compasses: superposing coherent states for sensing, communication, computing and pleasure – Prof. Barry Sanders (University of Calgary)

Speaker: Prof. Barry Sanders, University of Calgary

Time/Location: Monday, Oct. 16, 3-4 pm, MP606

Title: Quantum kittens, cats, combs and compasses: superposing coherent states for sensing, communication, computing and pleasure

Abstract: Superpositions of coherent states, which have minimum uncertainty and follow, at least transiently, classical motion, constitute codes for quantum computing, enhance quantum communication and are advantageous for quantum sensing and metrology. I present a potted history of this field followed by our proposal for making a nuclear cat state reported in arXiv:2304.13813

Bio: Barry Sanders is the Scientific Director of Calgary’s “Quantum City”, which is within the University of Calgary and tasked with building a strong quantum ecosystem in Alberta. Dr Sanders’s 1988 Doctor of Philosophy and 2018 Doctor of Science are awarded by Imperial College London, and his theoretical research comprises quantum sensing, quantum and quantum-resilient communication, quantum computing and quantum optics. He held numerous distinguished international visiting professorships and affiliations and is a Scientist with the Creative Destruction Lab at the Universities of Toronto and Calgary. Sanders serves as an Expert with the Canadian Council of Academies and on expert panels in Canada, USA and Europe. Dr Sanders is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, of the United Kingdom Institute of Physics, of the American Physical Society, and of Optica, and he received the City of Calgary International Achievement Award in 2022.