Institute for Quantum Computing, Waterloo, OQCT Group (Lutkenhaus)

Short name: 

IQC/OQCT

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History: Our group started out at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in 2001 (though it has roots to the Helsinki Institute of Physics from 1997), and relocated to the Institute of Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo in 2006.

Our position in the research landscape: Our group explores the interface between quantum communication theory and quantum optical implementations.

we translate between abstract protocols (described by qubits) and physical implementations (described for example by laser pulses)
we benchmark implementations to properly characterize quantum advantage
we exploit quantum mechanical structures for use in quantum communication

Fields to which are group contributes:

Quantum Key Distribution: Theory for Applications
Quantum Repeater
Protocols with quantitative quantum advantage
Linear Optics
Entanglement Verification

Research Philosophy: As we work on our research topics, we also find often the need to extend the theoretical structures of quantum information theory to answer deeper underlying questions. These include for example which type of observed data can be turned into secret key? How to characterize symmetric extendibility of bi-partite quantum systems? How to verify entanglement from incomplete data in large Hilbert spaces?

When approaching a research question, it is our approach to concentrate on the development of tools, so that these tools answer the research question, and can also be used to answer other questions. This is in contrast to brute force methods that only solve the one problem at hand.

On our web pages you will be able to find more detailed information about our research outcomes, our current research direction and also about the opportunities to join our group.