CSL PhD Thesis Award Lecture

Pushing Boundaries: From foundations in quantum physics to applications in quantum networking

3 pm Oct. 9
CSL Auditorium (B02)

A reception will immediately follow in 301 CSL.

Abstract

In recent years, quantum technologies have demonstrated preliminary advantages in sensing, computing, and secure communications. Quantum networks enable these advantages to be scaled, however, the noise inherent to quantum systems limits their advantage in practice. 

Dr. Doolittle’s thesis titled “Nonclassicality in Noisy Quantum Networks” provides a practical approach for realizing quantum advantages in the presence of noise. In this work, the quantum advantage is quantified by nonclassicality, a phenomenon in which quantum systems exhibit behaviors that cannot be reproduced classically without using extra communication. The nonclassicality of a quantum network can be expressed as a reward function and maximized over its free parameters. The result being a variational optimization framework for automatically establishing communication protocols on noisy quantum network hardware. 

Dr. Doolittle’s talk will provide a before, during, and after snapshot of his PhD experience, detailing his decision to pursue higher education, his growth as a graduate student, and his transition into the professional world.

Biography

Brian Doolittle obtained his physics PhD from UIUC between 2018 and 2023 studying quantum information theory under Eric Chitambar in the Coordinated Science Laboratory. Brian currently works as a quantum physicist and simulation tech lead at Aliro Technologies. His main research threads include simulation, optimization, and automation of noisy quantum networks.