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Faculty Candidate Seminar
Achieving scalable quantum advantage in bosonic sensing and transduction in the presence of loss and noise
Haowei ShiPostdoctoral Research FellowUniversity of Southern California
Abstract:
Quantum devices are known to offer advantages in sensing and computing. However, practical applications of such advantages remain elusive. Moreover, many claims of quantum supremacy have later been shown to be achievable by classical means.
In this seminar, I will present my research on scalable quantum advantages in photonic quantum sensing and transduction, focusing on protocols designed for experimental feasibility, which utilize only off-the-shelf experimental components, such as parametric amplifiers and photon detectors, ensuring near-term practical implementation. These include applications in absorption spectroscopy, noise sensing, and microwave-optical conversion. Remarkably, I will establish well-defined classical benchmarks and performance limits for quantum devices, providing rigorous predictions and clear guidance for achieving verifiable quantum advantages.
Bio:
Dr. Shi is a postdoc in the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Southern California. With a research focus on engineering theory of photonic quantum sensing and transduction, Shi has contributed to the field through multiple NSF and DARPA funded projects, e.g. MeasQuIT and INSPIRED.
He earned a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Southern California and has since been actively engaged in mentoring students and research collaborations. Shi’s work has been published in 18 papers on prestigious journals, e.g. Physical Review Letters and npj Quantum Information, including multiple collaborations with experiment groups in the Center of Quantum Networks and the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center led by Fermilab.
Beyond research, Shi is passionate about bridging the gap between academia and real-world applications. He looks forward to discussing possible killer applications of entanglement and engaging in meaningful academic exchange.