Quantum technologies have the potential to transform modern communication and information processing. Quantum technologies make use of the laws of quantum mechanics to improve over technologies based on classical physics that we experience in everyday life. Two important examples are quantum key distribution and quantum computation: The former enables provably secure communication while the latter can solve certain hard problems that are intractable with conventional computers.
Despite tremendous recent progress, the commercialization of quantum technologies remains in its infancy. The key challenge is to protect the extremely fragile quantum states from detrimental noise. There exist many competing platforms aiming to overcome this hurdle, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In the project QUIPATS, I explored how two-dimensional semiconductors may address some limitations of current approaches. Two-dimensional semiconductors are materials composed of one or few layers of atoms. They interact strongly with light, which renders them promising candidates for interfaces that receive, manipulate, and transmit quantum information.
The objectives of QUIPATS were to develop software and theoretical tools to model the optical properties of two-dimensional semiconductors. These tools were then applied to design novel optical devices in collaboration with experimental researchers at Harvard University. The findings highlight the promise of two-dimensional semiconductors for a wide range of quantum technological applications.
