Gerhard Kirchmair
Appointment
CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar 2016-2018
Quantum Information Science
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About
Gerhard Kirchmair is an experimental physicist. His interests include quantum optics, fundamental quantum physics, quantum information processing and quantum simulation, as well as using quantum systems for advanced sensing applications.
Kirchmair’s research team is currently focused on using superconducting circuits to realize a quantum simulator of complex spin models in one and two dimensions. These experiments will provide insight into quantum systems comprised of several tens of qubits, approaching a size where simulation with a classical computer becomes challenging. An understanding of these systems will allow the team to study quantum many-body phenomena, and will, for example, answer open questions in spin transport on frustrated two dimensional spin lattices.
In another project, Kirchmair’s team tries to combine superconducting circuits with micromechanical oscillators, with the aim of cooling massive objects into the quantum regime. This has applications in both fundamental and applied science. With such a system it might even be possible to test the limits of quantum mechanics predicted by several collapse models.
Awards
- ERC Starting Grant, European Research Council, 2016
- Promotion sub auspiciis Praesidentis rei publicae, PhD awarded by the Austrian President, 2011
- Award of the City of Innsbruck for scientific research, 2010
- Honorary Award for excellent academic studies, Minister for Science and Research, 2010
Relevant Publications
Paik, H. et al. “Observation of High Coherence in Josephson Junction Qubits Measured in a Three-Dimensional Circuit QED Architecture.” Phys. Rev. Lett. 107 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.240501.
Vlastakis, B. et al. “Deterministically encoding quantum information in 100-photon Schrödinger cat states.” Science 342 (2013): 607–10. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1243289.
Kirchmair, G. et al. “Observation of quantum state collapse and revival due to the single-photon Kerr effect.” Nature 495 (2013): 205–09. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11902.
Lanyon, B.P. et al. “Universal digital quantum simulation with trapped ions.” Science 334 (2011): 57–61. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1208001.
Gerritsma, R. et al. “Quantum simulation of the Dirac equation.” Nature 463 (2010): 68–71. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08688.