Ian Walmsley

University of Oxford, UK

“Quantum Photonic Networks for Computing and Simulation”

Complex quantum systems have the potential to reveal new phenomena that cannot be studied in any other way and to enable new technologies that harness uniquely quantum features to provide performance well beyond what can be achieved using design principles based on classical physics. Photonics has proven to be an effective means to engineer quantum systems of this kind, for the investigation of such effects and for facilitating new applications. Hybrid light-matter networks offer the promise for delivering robust quantum information processing technologies, from sensor arrays to quantum simulators. New sources, circuits, detectors and memories illustrate progress towards build a resilient, scalable photonic quantum network.

Ian Walmsley is Provost of Imperial College London, UK, and Professor of Experimental Physics. His research in optical science and technology ranges from ultrafast optics to quantum information science. Currently he is the Director of the Networked Quantum Information Technology Hub, the largest collaboration in the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Optical Society (OSA), the American Physical Society and the Institute of Physics. Currently he is President of the Optical Society.