Thesis defense: Aziza Almanakly

Doctoral Thesis Title: Towards a Quantum Network with Waveguide Quantum Electrodynamics
Presenter: Aziza Almanakly
Presenter’s Affiliation: RLE
Thesis Supervisor: William D. Oliver

Date: July 22, 2025

Time: 9 am

Location: 3-270

Zoom link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/99478721546

Abstract: Over the past few decades, the field of quantum computing has progressed from the investigation of isolated quantum systems to the realization of multi-qubit processors. Building a fault-tolerant quantum computer requires the construction, control, and exploration of large quantum systems. One potential approach to modular and extensible quantum computation is the distribution of information processing across a quantum network, where nodes communicate via propagating photons. Here, we use superconducting circuits to engineer strong light-matter interactions, enabling the coherent interconversion between stationary and itinerant qubits in the form of microwave photons. In particular, the framework of waveguide Quantum Electrodynamics (wQED), which describes qubits strongly coupled to a continuum of photonic modes supported by a waveguide, has become a promising foundation for building quantum networks and investigating fundamental phenomena in quantum optics. In this thesis, we develop a superconducting module that emits and absorbs microwave photons into and from a waveguide on-demand and in a controlled propagation direction. We demonstrate directional (chiral) photon emission and absorption between two such modules coupled to a shared waveguide. Using this chiral quantum interconnect, we generate remote entanglement, establishing a key resource for distributed quantum computation in an all-to-all network architecture.

Details

• Date: Tuesday, July 22
• Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
• Category: Thesis Defense
• Location: 3-270