In the final installment of a six-part series featuring interviews with the 2023 Open Quantum Initiative fellows, two undergraduates who evaluated defects and dopants in materials for quantum applications describe their work, discuss what they learned, and offer advice to young people who are interested in the growing field. Read previous installments that feature students who spent their summer researching quantum memory applications, working with and designing new experimental tools, studying nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, researching quantum communication experiments and protocols, and studying quantum algorithms and error correction.
‘I learned more this past summer than I have in any class’
In the final installment of the Open Quantum Initiative series, undergraduate fellows describe how they studied and evaluated materials that were altered with quantum defects
Home Institution: Vanderbilt University
Major: Physics; Mathematics
OQI Institution: The Ohio State University
Faculty Mentor: Roland Kawakami, Professor, Department of Physics
Q: What was the focus of your OQI research this summer?
A: I'm studying the magneto-optical properties of erbium diffusion-doping in lithium niobate. Erbium is a promising candidate for quantum point defects, because of its emission in telecom wavelengths. Lithium niobate is frequently used in on-chip photonics and is an appealing host for quantum point defects because of its large electro-optic coefficients.
Q: What was your role?
A: I measured photoluminescence and magnetic circular dichroism of our sample across varied external magnetic fields and temperatures. Afterward, I would analyze our signals for strong magneto-optical properties.
Q: What have you gained from the OQI experience?
A: Since I focused on measurements this summer, I learned a lot about how to present my data in meaningful ways. As a researcher, my job includes telling the story of my science. While certain features may not be apparent at first, applying the proper tools for analysis brings about new ways to interpret data.
Q: What new perspectives do you have about quantum information science and engineering (QISE)?
A: As someone who loves and focuses on the science aspect of quantum, it was amazing to learn more about the field as a whole. I had some sense of how broadly quantum could be applied, but learning about the industry perspective and connecting with leaders in the field truly broadened my perspective on QISE.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: I'm looking to pursue a degree in quantum science and engineering or condensed matter physics. We'll see where the next two years take me first!
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of research?
A: I enjoy creative writing, particularly prose — it's a nice change of pace from science and math!
Q: What advice do you have for other young people who are interested in pursuing a career in QISE?
A: Connect with people and ask questions! In such an interdisciplinary field, you probably don't know the answers to all the questions. As such, it can be particularly daunting to get involved in the field, but I've met so many wonderful people who encourage and support my career in QISE.
Anais El Akkad
Home Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology
Major: Physics
OQI Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Goldschmidt
Q: What was the focus of your OQI research this summer?
A: My OQI research this summer focused on studying the phenomenon of superradiance in a rare-earth doped crystal, which has potential applications to the development of quantum memories.
Q: What was your role?
A: I mainly worked on the experimental set-up, gaining lots of hands-on experience with arranging and aligning optics, as well as learning how to operate the laser.
Q: What have you gained from the OQI experience?
A: So much! I think I learned more this past summer than I have in any class. Being able to do hands-on work and see how science is done has truly reaffirmed my passion for physics. I also think the community is phenomenal — everybody involved in OQI, including my labmates, my peer OQI fellows, and everybody who worked tirelessly to ensure we had a good experience, was incredibly supportive and friendly, and really made me feel like I belong in QISE.
Q: What new perspectives do you have about quantum information science and engineering?
A: I’ve learned how diverse and interdisciplinary QISE is. There are so many people from all sorts of different backgrounds working on various problems in quantum information. It’s such a vast field — there are so many ways to be involved in quantum.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: After my undergrad, I hope to pursue graduate studies and further immerse myself in the exciting research within QISE.
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of research?
A: I love reading, hiking, baking, and playing piano.
Q: What advice do you have for other young people who are interested in pursuing a career in QISE?
A: Don’t be afraid to seek new opportunities! Even if you don’t feel qualified, take every chance you get to meet professionals in the field, gain some hands-on experience, and just put yourself out there. I never would have expected to find myself working in a quantum optics lab, and I’m so grateful to the OQI program for this amazing opportunity.
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