Current Projects
The Creation and Classification of Nitrogen-Vacancy Diamonds Grown through Chemical Vapor Deposition
Niels-Oliver
This research aims to synthesize and classify Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) diamonds using chemical vapor deposition for applications in quantum computing. NV diamonds have valence electrons that can exist in a state of superposition, which makes them excellent candidates for qubits and would allow improvements in quantum computing. To synthesize the NV diamond, a combination of hydrogen gas, methane, and nitrous gas will be heated in a vacuum chamber to 800 degrees Celsius. The growth of the diamond will start on a seed crystal and will proceed until an eighth-carat diamond has been grown. The research will then classify the diamond as an NV diamond, utilizing the unique fluorescent properties of the NV centers in the diamond. Ultimately, the research will prove that NV diamonds can be created in a cost-effective manner outside of a university laboratory.
PINNs for Ground State Determination and Fisher Information-Based Phase Transition Detection
Claire, Avery
Quantum phases are states of matter which exist at near absolute zero temperatures, where quantum effects govern the system. The transition between phases is called a quantum phase transition (QFT), and is of interest particularly when the order parameter, a value that usually characterizes transitions, is not known. Instead, quantum and classical phase transitions can be detected through the use of the Fisher Information Metric (FIM) in various unsupervised learning tasks. In this research project, we aim to explore the potential of Physics Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to approximate the ground-truth state FIM in predicting quantum phase transitions. We hypothesize that the PINNs will perform faster in predicting the ground-state FIM values compared to current approaches such as Monte-Carlo, Lanczos, and density matrix renormalization group (DMRG), which are much more computationally intensive.
Implementing Grover’s Diffusion Operator in A Single Photon, 2-Qubit Spatial Mode System
Neha
Quantum communications offers a revolutionary solution to future data security challenges. Photons, the building blocks of quantum communications, encode quantum information, such as polarization and momentum. We investigate the enhancement of communications protocols by treating the spatial modes of a single polarization-encoded photon as two separate qubits. In effect, we can recreate traditional 2-photon operations in an individual photon, improving the scability of quantum devices. To demonstrate the robustness of our approach, we will create a controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate using path entanglement between the spatial mode qubits in the polarization basis. The second part of project will be in constructing the Grover's diffusion operator using our 2-qubit single photon system and our optically implemented CNOT gate. At the detectors, we will observe the output states of the spatial modes to determine whether the amplitude has successfully been rotated. We expect the detector corresponding to the state marked by the Oracle to have the highest number of photon coincidences.
A Quantum Bayesian-Adapted Model for Assessing Environmental Impacts of the Global Economy
Avni, Megan
Rapid globalisation in the past decade has led growth in trade to quickly outpace growth in real-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) across the globe. As such, the impact of a nation’s consumption has aggravated by an unprecedented magnitude; value chains of most products span many countries with rising pressures of economic activity on global ecosystems constituting a growing need for effective policy. Measurements for quantifying and analysing the scale of environmental shocks across trade networks have largely focused on embedded emissions, which in this project will be represented in a multi-regional input-output model (MRIO), extended with environmental coefficients to appraise corresponding value chains. Ultimately, with the usage of both a Bayesian probability and quantum-agent based model, we wish to provide a simulated pseudo-economy for which environmental effects (embodied CO2) can be appropriately measured for various scenarios. This project aims to provide empirical support for global policies to push for the sustainable management of supply chains, as well as in the emerging field of quantum economics.
Using Geant4 to Model Ground Level Enhancements
David
The Earth is continuously exposed to a stream high-energy particles originating from extraterrestrial space. Such particles come in various forms, including galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) traveling from distant galaxies or solar energetic particles (SEPs) exuding from our Sun. Although Earth's magnetosphere acts as a shield for much of this radiation, interactions between cosmic particles and the atoms and molecules in our atmosphere lead to secondary particles, causing health effects to those at an aviation altitude. Specifically, particularly intense solar particle events known as ground level enhancements (GLEs) can produce photons with energies exceeding 200 MeV. In order to effectively assess the health risk to those at altitudes susceptible to secondary radiation, computational analysis can be conducted using the Geant4 toolkit, which utilizes Monte Carlo radiation transport codes to simulate the passage of particles through matter. In this study, we use this toolkit to develop a software to measure the radiation dosimetry due to GLEs at aviation altitudes.
Quantum Oscillation Model of Stocks
Harry
In general, oscillations can help investors and businesses predict changes in short term stock prices modeling. Similar to the up and down changes in the stock market, oscillations can measure up and down patterns in stock prices based on previous data of the stock and related stock variables. Additionally, oscillations can help with measuring changes in volatility to better measure notable changes in stock prices. Quantum oscillations have energy levels that are discrete; they also have a minimum energy level, which can help with more accurate modeling compared to classical oscillations. Moreover, quantum oscillations are described by wave functions, which can give probability distributions of stock prices. The goal of this project is to recreate an existing quantum oscillation model using existing algorithms.
Synthesis of Carbon-Carbon Quantum Dot-Enhanced Thin-Film Perovskite Photovoltaic Cells
Kaiwan
The proposed project hopes to build upon current applications of quantum dots and photovoltaic cell creation. Centered around the use of Chemical Vapor Deposition, this experiment will involve the deposition of thin-film perovskite solar cells onto a generic glass slide, creating quantum dot-enhanced photovoltaic cells (QDPVCs). My hypothesis is that, through quantum coherence, the use of quantum dots as the cell's electron conductor will easily increase the spectral response of solar cells, providing a readily employable improvement to modern photovoltaic cells.
Ca+ ion trap
Ophelia
coming soon
High-Resolution Turbulence Modeling Using the HHL Algorithm for the Poisson Navier-Stokes Equations
Ryeen, Taiki
To know Navier-Stokes is to know the mind of God - taiki, probably
Quantum Cryptography with Virginia Tech
Lavanya
Planning to partner with Virginia Tech's Dr. Atul Mantri this year to optimize cryptography by applying concepts learned from Grover's Algorithm and Satisfiability (SAT) Problems.
ADAPT-VQE
William, Justin
Hoping to work on the ADAPT-VQE algorithm with Dr. Economou's group at Virginia Tech. Topics may include TETRIS-ADAPT-VQE, including symmetries, or defining operator pools for the algorithm.
Implications of Maxwell's Equations Generalizations on Classical Physics Paradoxes
Max
coming soon
ADAPT-VQE
William
coming soon
Entanglement Quantum Scars
Victoria
moose
Imaging Near IR
Alan
$$|\psi\rangle=\cos\left({\frac{\theta}{2}}\right)|+\rangle_z + \sin{\frac{\theta}{2}}e^{i\phi}|-\rangle_z$$
LLMs
Marina
coming soon
ADAPT-VQE
Akansha, Sophia, Kade
coming soon
Post Quantum Cryptography
Samarth, Alexander, Arjun, Abhinav
simga simga on the wall
Compare (quantum annealing, QAOA) to optimize electric vehicle charging on motorways
Anmol
coming soon
Liquid Crystals
Kalib
coming soon
LSIS: Laser Spectroscopy for Insulin Sensitivity through Breath Acetone Detection
Akul, Rohith
coming soon
QAOA
Michael
coming soon
smth cool trust
Joshua
coming soon
Optical Microphones
Aniketh
coming soon
Position and patch embeddings in Vision Transformeres using Quantum
Shaurya
coming soon
ADAPT-VQE
Japneet
!!
Quantum Internet
Sanchali
coming soon
ADAPT-VQE
Rabia
coming soon
Quantum Cryptography
Kyril
coming soon
Quadrupole Ion Trap
Chris
coming soon
Laser Spectroscopy
Akul
coming soon
Quantum Annealing
Avni
coming soon