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Christian Haffner

As a Branco Weiss Fellow, Dr. Christian Haffner will pursue his vision of realizing quantum converters which bridge the existing void between solid-state qubits, as used in quantum computing, and photonic qubits, as used in quantum communications. These converters are key to enabling a large-scale quantum network that will trigger a technological revolution as the classic internet did in the past.

Background

Nationality
Germany

Academic Career

  • Tenure track position at the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (imec), Leuven, Belgium, 2021-present
  • Post-Doc in the field of quantum microwave to photonic conversion, National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST), Gaithersburg, USA, 2019-2021
  • Post-Doc in the field of nanoscale opto-electro-mechanical switches for reprogrammable optical networks, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, 2018-2021
  • PhD Studies in the field of integrated electro-optic modulators for optical communications, Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland, 2014-2018
  • MSc in Electrical Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, 2012-2013
  • BSc in Electrical Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, 2008–2012

Major Awards

  • Hans-Eggenberger Award for an excellent doctoral thesis, 2018
  • ETH Medal for a distinguished doctoral thesis, 2018
  • Optical Materials Express – best emerging researcher paper, 2017
  • Best master graduation in 2013/2014 at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 2014
  • Scholarship of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation, 2011–2013

Research

Branco Weiss Fellow Since
2019

Research Category
Experimental Quantum Physics, Nanotechnology

Research Location
Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (imec), Leuven, Belgium

Background
  • To tackle these challenges, Dr. Christian Haffner seeks to bridge the gap between superconducting and photonic qubits by developing integrated quantum converters to trigger the development of large-scale quantum networks. To realize efficient converters, he will utilize the freedom of mobility provided by the Branco Weiss Fellowship to bring together experts from fundamental research and advanced engineering. In this way, he will take advantage of chemically engineered electro-optical materials which are tailored for cryogenic temperatures to design and fabricate novel device concepts with the help of cavity quantum electro-dynamics and advanced nanofabrication methods. The research will initially focus on classic optical readout of cryogenic quantum computers. The aim then will be to demonstrate room temperature photonic quantum communication between two separate quantum computers. With this work, Dr. Haffner hopes to translate the converter technology from the laboratory into a real-world innovation. It would enable cloud-based quantum computing that can be accessed by anyone to develop new drugs or optimize the use of limited resources.This could help new quantum information technologies find their way into our daily lives and thus help solve our man-made problems. For instance, the global increase in populism is giving rise to an atmosphere that undermines the outcome of elections the trust in our democracy. A global quantum internet could provide an election system that guarantees one hundred percent data security.
Details of Research

To tackle these challenges, Dr. Christian Haffner seeks to bridge the gap between superconducting and photonic qubits by developing integrated quantum converters to trigger the development of large-scale quantum networks. To realize efficient converters, he will utilize the freedom of mobility provided by the Branco Weiss Fellowship to bring together experts from fundamental research and advanced engineering. In this way, he will take advantage of chemically engineered electro-optical materials which are tailored for cryogenic temperatures to design and fabricate novel device concepts with the help of cavity quantum electro-dynamics and advanced nanofabrication methods. The research will initially focus on classic optical readout of cryogenic quantum computers. The aim then will be to demonstrate room temperature photonic quantum communication between two separate quantum computers. With this work, Dr. Haffner hopes to translate the converter technology from the laboratory into a real-world innovation. It would enable cloud-based quantum computing that can be accessed by anyone to develop new drugs or optimize the use of limited resources.

This could help new quantum information technologies find their way into our daily lives and thus help solve our man-made problems. For instance, the global increase in populism is giving rise to an atmosphere that undermines the outcome of elections the trust in our democracy. A global quantum internet could provide an election system that guarantees one hundred percent data security.