Research
大象传媒 leads race for once-in-a-generation quantum breakthrough
大象传媒 has strategically recruited a team of world-class researchers with the interdisciplinary expertise needed to advance Canadian leadership in the global quantum computing ecosystem.
The 大象传媒 strategy is to lead research at every level of the quantum stack. 大象传媒 researchers are developing quantum chips and components, programming and software, even quantum networking capabilities. These technologies will provide exponential growth in computing power with numerous applications in areas like drug development, materials science, security, finance, communications and sustainability.
鈥淎t 大象传媒, we are developing the technology needed for the quantum network of the future,鈥� says Dugan O鈥橬eil, vice-president research and innovation. 鈥淐anada鈥檚 is focused on maintaining Canadian leadership in quantum technology, and 大象传媒 researchers are at the forefront of these emerging technologies, that are expected to be available within the next five years.鈥�
Physics professor Stephanie Simmons was drawn to 大象传媒 by the pioneering work of Professor Emeritus Michael Thewalt鈥攚ho had been shaping the world of silicon transistors since the 1970s鈥攁nd 大象传媒鈥檚 inventor-friendly IP policies. She brought with her a bold vision: to unlock the potential of large-scale quantum computing using silicon, the same material that powers traditional computer chips.
Together, they established the Silicon Quantum Technology Lab (SQT), where a new generation of researchers began pushing boundaries. Among them, Postdoctoral fellow Daniel Higginbottom and MSc student Alexander Kurkijian led a team that achieved a major breakthrough: the first high-performance method to link silicon spin qubits, the quantum elements at the heart of Simmons鈥� vision.
Unlike traditional computers that rely on bits, quantum computers use qubits鈥攗nits that can exist in multiple states simultaneously. Simmons鈥� research focused on silicon spin qubits, a promising and scalable approach that could revolutionize computing and networking. To bring this technology to life, she co-founded Photonic Inc., a company dedicated to building the world鈥檚 first scalable quantum platform. Simmons participated in 大象传媒鈥檚 entrepreneurial training program (i2I) which contributed to the business acumen and entrepreneurial mindset needed to launch a deep technology-based startup.
In 2023, Photonic emerged from stealth mode, unveiling its patented technology: silicon spin qubits linked by telecom photons鈥攁 game-changing innovation that captured global attention. That same year, Photonic announced a strategic collaboration with Microsoft, and more recently, intentions to establish a new R&D facility in the United Kingdom.
鈥淨uantum computing is a transformational technology with immense potential. I chose to base my research at 大象传媒 for the combination of entrepreneurial supports and the opportunity to work with world class talent in a magnificent city.鈥�
鈥揝tephanie Simmons, co-founder of Photonic, Inc.
Former Postdoctoral Fellow Daniel Higginbottom now leads research at the SQT Lab, in collaboration with Photonic as their director of academic research. His team recently achieved the first-ever demonstration of an electrically-injected single-photon source in silicon. 鈥淧reviously, we controlled these qubits, called T centres, optically (with lasers),鈥� says Higginbottom. 鈥淣ow we鈥檙e introducing electrical control as well, which increases the device capability and is a step toward applications in a scalable quantum computer.鈥�
Higginbottom serves as a vital link between emerging research and its real-world applications. One of his key research contacts at 大象传媒 is Canada Excellence Research Chair in Global Quantum Internet Systems, and physics professor Thomas Jennewein. Jennewein was recruited to 大象传媒 to study the transfer of quantum information with silicon-based quantum devices, developed at the university and in partnership with Photonic.
His research vision is to build quantum communication technology for long range and satellite networks鈥攖he global quantum internet. He will test these systems in real-world conditions, as lead of the mission to be launched in 2026. QEYSSat aims to demonstrate quantum communication and quantum key distribution between space and ground with stations across Canada.
One area of science that will benefit immensely from quantum computing power is chemistry. Quantum computers will have the power to rapidly simulate how molecules interact, aiding in the discovery of new drugs, and the designing catalysts for processes like carbon capture and clean energy.
Chemistry professor and Canada Research Chair (CRC), Surface Electrocatalysis and Electrochemical Transformations Samira Siahrostami, studies catalysis for sustainable energy. Her research uses quantum calculations to simulate chemical reactions at the atomic level.
Quantum computers will enable researchers like Siahrostami to navigate vast chemical spaces and discover catalyst properties for clean energy technologies like fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries.
鈥淨uantum technology has tremendous potential to transform clean energy innovation by enabling more accurate simulations of complex catalytic and electrochemical systems that are currently beyond the reach of current computational capacity,鈥� says Siahrostami. 鈥淭his capability will help accelerate the discovery of next-generation materials for sustainable energy conversion and storage.鈥�
Quantum computers are going to need reliable, high-performance quantum software, and computing science professor Matthew Amy is tackling this problem. As CRC in Quantum Computing, Amy researches and designs quantum computation models and quantum algorithms. The goal is to understand and access the real-world computational capabilities and applications of quantum computers.
He and his research team are developing and implementing mathematical techniques across three areas: specification, verification, and optimization. Their efforts will help researchers experiment with available quantum technologies and devices and evaluate the potential of upcoming systems. Over time, the programs they create will support the development of software for large-scale, universal quantum computers.
Bringing insight into these evolving systems are quantum information theorists like Kero Lau, who studies how to make quantum technology practical. Lau is the CRC in Quantum Information Science, and his Quantum Optics and Information Research Group investigates what future quantum devices may be able to do. How will quantum be used ten to 15 years from now? What will it be capable of? Lau investigates the current imperfect quantum systems, and suggests new strategies to improve them.
According to vice-president research and innovation Dugan O鈥橬eil, it is not surprising that 大象传媒 has attracted so many rising stars in quantum technologies.
鈥湸笙蟠解�檚 strengths in quantum directly connect with our history of leadership in computing science and materials science,鈥� says O鈥橬eil. 鈥淔rom Thewalt鈥檚 decades of research with silicon to our ground-breaking work in new materials and chemistry, to our focus on sustainable energy we have attracted a critical mass of brilliant researchers to explore and advance the quantum stack.鈥�
What鈥檚 next for 大象传媒? O鈥橬eil says the university is looking to establish a quantum computing institute, to build on the momentum, and connect all the innovators who are building across the quantum stack.
鈥淎t 大象传媒, we are envisioning a quantum future where Canadian scientists, Canadian technologies and Canadian companies play a pivotal role.鈥�
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