Professor Michael Biercuk
Director, Quantum Control Laboratory
Chief Investigator, ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems
| Telephone | +61 2 9036 5301 |
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The Quantum Control Laboratory ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems |
Biographical details
Prof. Michael J. Biercuk is a quantum physicist, innovator, and Director of the Quantum Control Laboratory at the University of Sydney. His group is working to develop a new generation of advanced technologies powered by the strangest phenomena in quantum physics – Quantum Tech.
As an expert in quantum physics and quantum technology Michael is also the founder and CEO of Q-CTRL, a quantum technology company. Q-CTRL is supported entirely by venture capital and operates from the campus of the University of Sydney.
Michael was educated in the United States, earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and his Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Harvard University.He held a research fellowship in the Ion Storage Group at NIST Boulder under the supervision of 2012 Nobel Laureate in Physics Dr. David Wineland, and has served as a consultant to US Defence Agency DARPA, helping to steer government venture investments in advanced technology.
As an academic Michael is a regular contributor to both the technical literature and the popular press, driving public debate on issues pertaining to innovation, technology policy, and the role of science in society. He has spoken at TEDxSydney and appeared on ABC's Q&A, along with presenting numerous keynote addresses to major business and public sector audiences.
Research interests
The world on the atomic scale is very different from the world around us. The simple principles that govern the behaviour of our classical world – principles elucidated by the likes of Newton and Maxwell – break down and give way to a new set of rules provided by quantum mechanics. To date, quantum mechanics represents our most accurate and widely applicable scientific theory, providing deep insight into the fundamental nature of light and matter.
Quantum mechanics has captured our imagination more than any other physical theory because of the intrinsic strangeness of many of its principles – particles as waves, light as particles, hidden correlations between systems separated by huge distances. These phenomena, however, are not manifested in our daily existence and have largely been inaccessible due to the barrier between the classical and quantum worlds.
A new discipline – Quantum Science – is opening a door between our world and that of the quantum, allowing classical systems access to the most exotic quantum mechanical phenomena. The past two decades have seen an explosion in the number of systems that have been able to provide access to the quantum realm: from superconducting circuits and semiconductor nanostructures, to trapped atoms and single-photon optics.
Quantum coherent devices are real and accessible to scientists today. But building quantum technologies – exploiting the strangest quantum effects – will take a new kind of effort. It will require systems engineering in the quantum regime.
The Quantum Control Laboratory combines theory and experiment to tackle the most challenging problems in the field of quantum physics, and to usher in a new revolution in quantum-enabled technology. The lab provides access to one of he leading quantum technologies worldwide – trapped atomic ions. Using a combination of custom ultra-high-vacuum systems, precision stabilized lasers, high-stability radiofrequency oscillators, and flexible microwave control systems, this laboratory allows detailed measurements of the control, evolution, and interactions of quantum systems.
Current projects
QUANTUM CONTROL AND QUANTUM FIRMWARE: Control theory is a universal enabling discipline within the engineering community. We are seeking to bring insights from control theory to the quantum domain, allowing us to efficiently exploit quantum coherent systems. Our aim is to produce a flexible quantum control toolkit that is adaptable to any future quantum technology, but with specific emphasis on quantum computing. Specific projects relate to dynamical error suppression and the development of filter transfer functions for arbitrary quantum control.
QUANTUM SIMULATION:The simulation of interacting many-body systems is a promising near-term application of quantum information systems. Through experiments using linear Paul traps and ion arrays in Penning traps we are seeking to engineer designer Hamiltonians for studies of problems including quantum magnetism. Our research marries with questions of quantum control theory quantum information theory, as we seek to develop techniques allowing a user to execute a “program” on constrained simulator hardware.
QUANTUM METROLOGY: We are seeking to develop new sensing and metrology techniques leveraging trapped atomic ions as model quantum coherent systems. Our owrk includes the development of ion-based force and field detectors as well as applications of quantum control techniques to the development of precision frequency standards.
Awards and honours
- TEDxSydney Speaker (2016)
- Australian Museum Eureka Award for Outstanding Early Career Researcher (Winner, 2015)
- Prime Minister's Malcolm McIntosh Prize (Shortlist, 2015)
- Australian Innovation Challenge (Finalist, 2014)
- Australian Innovation Challenge (Finalist, 2013)
- Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney's 100 Most Influential People (2012)
- Research selected #8 "World-changing" experiment by BBC Focus (2012)
- Eureka Prize for Innovation in Computer Science (Finalist, 2012)
- NMI Prize for Excellence in Measurement Science (Winner, 2011)
- Australian Innovation Challenge (Finalist, 2011)
- Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key Honour Societies
In the media
Smart Company
“A century-defining technology: What is quantum computing...”
30 January 2018
ComputerWorld
Quantum start-up Q-Ctrl “unmixing the soup” of qubit decoherence
3 November 2017
Australian Financial Review
CSIRO’s Main Sequence Ventures backs Q-Ctrl, a quantum computing firmware start-up
2 November 2017
Sydney Morning Herald
Peter Dutton signals room to move on work visas for universities
21 April 2017
Australian Financial Review
Malcolm Turnbull’s 457 visa crackdown a disaster for universities
20 April 2017
The Economist
Technology Quarterly: Here, There and Everywhere
March 2017
The Christian Science Monitor
“Machines learn to find patterns in quantum chaos”
January 17, 2017
Motherboard
“Researchers accurately predicted the future of a quantum system”
January 15, 2017
COSMOS
“Quantum oracle: AI predicts and fixes qubit failure”
16 January 2017
The Australian
“Sydney University’s Quantum Leap into the Supercomputing’s Future”
16 January 2017
Sydney Morning Herald
“How Quantum Physics Research can help us see the future”
16 January 2017
Australian Financial Review
“Has innovation hit peak hype?”
3 June 2016
Sydney Morning Herald
“US intelligence awards multimillion dollar grant to Sydney University quantum science lab”
3 May 2016
Sydney Morning Herald
“Quantum computing leaps: Sydney University and UNSW as the best of frenemies”
23 April 2016
The Daily Telegraph
World Leading Institute for Nanoscience
21 April 2016
SBS
20 April 2016
New Scientist
“Sydney’s nanoscience lab has floating floors and Faraday cages”
18 April 2016
The Sydney Morning Herald
“Federal budget: Scientists push for more research funding.”
15 April 2016
The Mark Bouris Show
13 April 2016
The Guardian
“Politicisation of NBN a tragedy that has held back innovation, ABC’s Q&A told.”
29 March 2016
Q&A
28 March 2016
The Australian
“Big plans loom for uni’s nano hub”
23 March 2016
The Australian
“On the cusp of the nano revolution”
23 March 2016
Seven News
“Science fiction comes true in Sydney”
9 March 2016
Sydney Morning Herald
“Sydney University to Open Nanoscience Hub for the Quantum Technologies of the Future”
9 March 2016 (Front cover, print edition)
Qantas
“Tech Talk in The Sky Takes Off”
18 Feb 2016
Mashable
“The first TEDx talk was held on a plane, but you weren’t invited”
17 Feb 2016
The Australian
“Qantas flies our top thinkers on tech route”
17 Feb 2016
The Herald Sun
“Qantas hosts world’s first tech talk in the sky on its direct Sydney to San Francisco route.”
17 Feb 2016
ABC News
“Eureka prize honours quantum computing pioneers in their quest for “super computers””
27 Aug 2015
The Australian
“Eureka moment for quantum computing”
27 Aug 2015
The Conversation
“Pioneers of quantum computing are among the 2015 Eureka Prize Winners”
27 Aug 2015
ABC News
21 May 2015
Sydney Morning Herald
6 May, 2015
The Australian
“Quantum leap to help build safer and brighter lifestyles”
November 1, 2014
ABC Science [commentary]
“New accuracy record set for quantum computing”
October 14, 2014
Sydney Alumni Magazine
“Donors fast track quantum leaps”
July, 2014
The University of Sydney, Inspired Campaign
“Generous gift supports the promise of quantum computing”
11 July, 2014
The New York Times, Bits Blog
“A quantum computing problem solved”
19 June, 2013
Forbes
“Quantum data storage breakthrough brings quantum computing one step closer”
19 June, 2013
Wired
“Research gives new permanence to quantum memory”
19 June, 2013
ABC News
“Quantum memory gets a reality check”
20 June, 2013
Sydney Morning Herald, the(sydney)magazine
30 Nov, 2012
Lateline, ABC Television (Commentary)
“Laws will stifle research claim scientists”
31 Oct, 2012
The Australian (Commentary)
“Defence Bill a research risk: academics.”
16 Oct, 2012
Sydney Alumni Magazine
“Tiny particles: quantum leaps”
10 Oct, 2012
ABC Science
20 Sept, 2012
BBC FOCUS
“The 10 world-changing experiments that will shape the future”
July 2012
New Scientist (Commentary)
“Teleportation record heralds global quantum network”
15 May, 2012
The Guardian, UK
“Quantum computers are leaping ahead.”
6 May, 2012
The Australian
“Link to ‘world’s most advanced computer’.”
The Sydney Morning Herald
“Sydney Scientist helps design tiny supercomputer.”
The Canberra Times
“Device just one atom thick a quantum leap for technology.”
Sky News
“Tiny crystal ‘revolutionises’ computing”
Herald Sun
“Scientists develop ‘most powerful’ quantum simulator”
Fox News
“Tiny crystal may hold key to future of computers”
Popular Science
“NIST’s quantum simulator mimics hundreds of qubits interacting”
The Huffington Post
“Quantum Computer Breakthrough?”
Video:
Lateline, ABC
Radio:
6PR, 4BC...
April 26-30, 2012
Australian Parliament
Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade
Testimony on behalf of Universities Australia and the University of Sydney
Defence Trade Controls Bill, 2011
Sydney Morning Herald
“Defence red tape to hit research, uni heads say”
The Conversation
“Bill to stop misuse of dangerous technology could hit uni researchers”
21 March, 2012
COSMOS
“Sweating the (very) small stuff.”
January 12, 2012
The Australian
“Tuning into the secret of mining’s holy grail.”
November 12-13, 2011
The Australian
“Science gets the measure of all that’s tiny.”
September 5, 2011
- and -
“Getting the measure of awards.”
September 6, 2011
M.J. Biercuk, Recipient of the 2011 NMI Prize.
Minister Carr’s media release,Times Higher Educationwriteup
May, 2011
Physics,“Unexpected Error.”
November 13, 2010
The Economist, “The force is weak with this one.”
April 24-30, 2010
Physics Today,News Pick, “Scientists measure atomic nudge”
April 19, 2010
Nature News (&Scientific American), “Scientists measure atomic nudge”
April 19, 2010
ABC Science News(Australia), “Scientists record world’s tiniest nudge.”
April 12, 2010
Slashdot, “YoctoNewton detector smashes force sensing record.”
April 09, 2010
MIT Technology Review, arXiv blog, “YoctoNewton detector smashes force measurement record”
April 08, 2010
MIT Technology Review, “Extending the life of quantum bits.”
Syndicated,New York TimesNews Feed
April 2009
Physics Today,Search & Discovery, “Carefully timed radio pulses sustain quantum phase.”
June 2009
EE Times, “NIST nudges quantum computers toward commercial viability”
April 2009
The New York Times, “Replacing wire with laser, Sun tries to speed up data.”
March 2008
Science,Science’s Compass, “Carbon nanotubes - the route toward applications.”
August 2002
Physics Today,Physics Update, “Nanotubes boost epoxy properties.”
June 2002
International links
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(Tsinghua University)
Experimental Ion Trapping |
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(CSIR)
Quantum Control Theory and Ion Trapping |
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(Dartmouth College)
Quantum Control and Quantum Firmware |
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(Duke University)
Experimental Ion Trapping |
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(Harvard University)
Quantum Control |
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(MIT)
William D. Oliver |
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(NIST Boulder)
Experimental Quantum Simulation in Penning Ion Traps |
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(Univ. of Maryland, JQI)
Experimental Yb+ Ion Trapping |
Selected grants
2018
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems - EQUS; White A, Bartlett S, Doherty A, Biercuk M, Bowen W, Brennen G, Davis M, Fedorov A, Flammia S, McFerran J, Milburn G, Reilly D, Rubinsztein-Dunlop H, Stace T, Shaddock D, Tobar M, Twamley J, Volz T, Starr R, Viola L, Aspelmeyer M, Zoller P, Auffeves A, Fedrizzi A, Jelezko F, Mueller H, Pernice W, Romero-Isart O, Schmiedmayer J, Senellart P, Wallraff A, Wolf P, Wouters M, Walmsley I; Australian Research Council (ARC)/ARC Centres of Excellence.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems; Biercuk M, Doherty A, Bartlett S, Flammia S, Reilly D; NSW Department of Industry/Research Attraction and Acceleration Program.
2016
- Establishing a world-class timebase for nanoscience; Biercuk M, Reilly D, Doherty A; DVC Research/Equipment Grant.
- Encoded Qubit Alive (eQual); Monz T, Biercuk M; Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA)/Research Support.
- Optical technology for quantum science; Scholten R, Starr R, Robins N, Biercuk M, Huntington E, Sparkes B; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP).
- Materials at the nanoscale for optics and quantum science; Kuncic Z, Soon A, Eggleton B, Biercuk M, Reilly D, Stampfl C, Choi H, Lee G, Dohun K, Shim W; Office of Global Engagement/Joint IPDF with Yonsei University (South Korea).
- Encoded Qubit Alive (eQual) with Trapped Ions; Biercuk M; Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA)/Research Grant.
2015
- Principles and Applications of Control in Quantum Systems (PRACQSYS 2015) - Conference; Biercuk M; NSW Trade and Investment/NSW Research Attraction and Acceleration Program Conference Sponsorship Program.
- New techniques in quantum simulation; Sewell R, Biercuk M; DVC Research/International Research Collaboration Award (IRCA).
- International Collaboration in Quantum Control; Biercuk M, Viola L, Gustavsson S, Oliver W, Orlando T; Office of Global Engagement/IPDF Grant.
2014
- DVCR Research Support; Biercuk M; University of Sydney/DVCR Funding.
- Hugh Harley QuantSimulDonation; Biercuk M; Hugh Harley/Hugh Harley QuantSimulDonation.
2013
- Foundation technology for quantum measurement, sensing and computing; Scholten R, Biercuk M; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP).
- Frequency standards with breakthrough performance: Engineering immunity to LO instabilities using dynamical error suppression; Biercuk M, Ivanov E; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP).
2012
- Australia-China Group Mission in the Control of Quantum Systems; Biercuk M, McCamey D, Bartlett S, Reilly D, Doherty A; Department of Industry, Innovation and Science/Australia China Science and Research Fund - Group Missions.
2011
- Modular Universal Scalable Ion-trap Quantum Computer (MUSIQC); Kim J, Biercuk M, Flammia S; Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA)/Research Support.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQuS); Milburn G, White A, Doherty A, Tobar M, Twamley J, Bartlett S, Biercuk M, Bowen W, Brennen G, Duty T, Gilchrist A, Molina-Terriza G, Rabeau J, Reilly D, Rubinsztein-Dunlop H, Stace T, Vidal G, Flammia S; Australian Research Council (ARC)/ARC Centres of Excellence.
- Precision Quantum Control and Error-Suppressing Quantum Firmware for Robust Quantum Computing; Biercuk M, Viola L, Yacoby A; US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command/Research Support.
Selected publications & creative works
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