Coming up in the penultimate edition of hardware specialists in the quantum tech industry are individuals from Seeqc, Single Quantum, Silicon Quantum Computing, SpeQtral, a bunch from Universal Quantum, and a duo from Zurich Instruments.
Here are entries 85–98.
*All data correct as of late September 2021
85. Konstantin Kalashnikov: Quantum Engineer, Seeqc
Konstantin Kalashnikov is a Quantum Engineer at Seeqc, a startup developing the first digital quantum computing platform for global businesses. His duties include setting up the dc and MW test infrastructure, running measurements for qubits and gate performance characterization, the development of measurement protocols and leading cryogenic and room-temperature hardware upgrades.
A physicist with rich expertise in superconducting electronics, both classical Josephson devices (microwave generators and detectors, magnetic field sensors) and ‘second quantization’ systems (charge and flux qubits, unconventional Josephson arrays), Kalashnikov obtained a Ph.D. in Radiophysics from the Kotelnikov Institute Radioengineering and Electronics of RAS.
86. Naveen Kumar Katam: Researcher, Superconducting Electronics and Quantum Computing, Seeqc
Naveen Kumar Katam is a Researcher of Superconducting Electronics and Quantum Computing at Seeqc. Having both an analog and digital electronics background, prior to Seeqc Kumar Katam worked for TSMC, Taiwan as a product engineer working as a bridge between customers and fab, brainstorming and debugging to suggest solutions for the fabrication problems, as well as a Research Intern at Hypres.
Possessing a drive to work in disruptive technology made Kumar Katam work towards a Ph.D. in Superconducting Electronics from the University of Southern California focusing on simulation analysis, building CAD tools and new circuit architectures for single flux quantum technologies.
87. Antonio Guardiani: Research Engineer in Optics & Single-Photon Detection Technology, Single Quantum
Antonio Guardiani is currently carrying out an industrial Ph.D. in the field of Optics and Single Photon Detection Technology as a Research Engineer in Optics and Single Photon Detection Technology at Single Quantum, a Dutch startup developing high-efficiency superconducting single-photon detectors. Guardiani’s duties include software development (Python, HTML, javascript), device design and characterization, automation solutions, the design of radio-frequency (RF) electronics circuits for signal processing, quantum dots spectroscopy and time-resolved measurements, and optics.
After a bachelor’s in Physics at the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and a joint degree at KU Leuven and the University of Grenoble Alpes in applied physics, Guardiani worked as an intern at the CEA where I contributed to the study of GeSn alloy for Silicon Photonics. Later he moved to TU Delft where he worked on the improvement of high-resolution Sirius Laser Processing Facility and the monitoring of magnetic fields for induction welding.
88. Nima Kalhor: Research Engineer, Single Quantum
A Research Engineer at Single Quantum, Nima Kalhor has extensive hands-on experience in nanofabrication, nanometrology and electrical characterization of nanodevices. Currently, he is working in the development and manufacturing of single-photon detectors.
In the past, Kalhor collaborated with industrial corporations such as Intel (USA), ASML and TNO (The Netherlands).
His scientific achievements comprise of evaluating methods for resist optimization technologies for aggressive sub 20-nm CD patterning for EUV lithography in collaboration with ASML and TNO (The Netherlands), conducting cutting-edge research projects in Si/SiGe heterostructure-based quantum dot devices in collaboration with Intel (USA), inventing and successfully developing the nano-patterning technique for fabrication of graphene devices using helium ion microscopy, highlighted in SPIE newsroom (2013).
As well as these impressive accomplishments, Kalhor has been the leader of two projects and collaborator on five projects spanning seven cross-disciplined research efforts across matrixed teams tasked with the design, management/task distribution, process development, extensive data, and numerical analysis and electrical characterization.
With a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Southampton with the thesis Development of High Yield Fabrication Technology for Graphene Quantum Dots for Single Electron Transistor applications, Kalhor’s knowledge and expertise will be crucial to Single Quantum’s future scientific and commercial development.
89. Joris Keizer: Senior Research Fellow, Silicon Quantum Computing
Joris Keizer is a Senior Research Fellow at Silicon Quantum Computing, an Australian startup headed by world-famous physicist Michelle Simmons.
Keizer is a widely respected expert in atomic-scale quantum device fabrication. In addition to his work helping Silicon Quantum Computing build a 10-qubit quantum integrated circuit in silicon, he is also busy developing 3D fabrication techniques for error correction in the Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology.
90. Tom Vergoossen: Lead Systems Engineer, SpeQtral
Tom Vergoossen is a Lead Systems Engineer at SpeQtral, a startup commercializing satellite quantum communications technologies developed at the Centre for Quantum Technologies in Singapore.
At the company, Vergoossen — who was also the first employee — works closely with the founding team and is responsible for defining and leading all systems engineering activities, modelling the satellite quantum key distribution links and constellations, the quantum payload and optical ground station systems engineering for the QKD CubeSat mission, and the operations for the SPOOQY-1 nanosatellite.
Vergoossen obtained an MSc in Aerospace Engineering from the Delft University of Technology.
91. Huai Ying Lim: Mechanical Engineer, SpeQtral
As a Mechanical Engineer at SpeQtral, Huai Ying Lim has extensive experience from three quantum CubeSat missions.
With a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Singapore, she has successfully applied her combined skillset in fundamental science, design engineering and project risk management to deliver real-life solutions that meet rigorous space industry requirements in terms of safety, performance and reliability.
92. Luuk Earl: Quantum Engineer, Universal Quantum
A Quantum Engineer at Brighton, UK-based startup Universal Quantum, Luuk Earl is working in an interdisciplinary team to deliver a quantum computing hardware solution using trapped ions and, with any luck, the first million-qubit quantum computer in existence.
Earl received a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Birmingham. During his research, he developed a new generation of gravity sensors based on quantum technology, part of the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Timing (formally Metrology).
93. Zak Romaszko: Microfabrication Engineer, Universal Quantum
A specialist in the design, simulation and development of quantum microchips, specifically, next-generation ion traps — which also involves the implementation of FPGAs and DACs for use in cryogenic, ultra-high vacuum environments — Zak Romaszko is Microfabrication Engineer at Universal Quantum.
During his Ph.D. research on the “Design and control of microfabricated ion traps for quantum computing” at the University of Sussex, Romaszko developed novel ion trap designs to make a scalable quantum computer.
94. Mark Webber: Quantum Architect, Universal Quantum
A Quantum Architect at Universal Quantum, at the startup Mark Webber researches the commercial applications and hardware considerations for quantum computing
Still finalizing his Ph.D. in Quantum Computing with the Ion Quantum Technology group at the University of Sussex, Webber was before this a Quantum Algorithm Researcher at Qu & Co working on quantum chemistry problems — with a focus on fault-tolerant cost estimation, as well as a software consultant at Acturis.
95. Peter Bradbeer: Principal Analogue IC Design Engineer, Universal Quantum
With some three decades of analogue/mixed-signal transistor-level design experience, including in integrated circuits and discrete circuitry, Peter Bradbeer is Principal Analogue IC Design Engineer at Universal Quantum.
Able to traverse abstractions from system level to transistor-level with a thorough understanding of the implications of design decisions made at all levels and skilled in the delivery of advanced analogue/mixed-signal circuit designs in primarily deep sub-micron CMOS processes, he also possesses in-depth knowledge of semiconductor processes and their impact upon analogue performance.
96. Iain Hunter: Engineer, Universal Quantum
Iain Hunter is an Engineer at Universal Quantum. An Electronics Engineer by profession with experience in ranging from Mixed Signal ASIC design, FPGA design and PCB level ASIC verification circuitry.
He obtained a BEng in Engineering Electronics from the University of Warwick
97. Clemens Müller: Application Scientist Quantum Technology, Zurich Instruments
Clemens Müller is an Application Scientist of Quantum Technology at Zurich Instruments, a Swiss concern developing and selling measurement instruments.
A theoretical physicist presently investigating the microscopic origins of decoherence and parameter fluctuations in solid-state quantum computing devices and designing non-reciprocal quantum circuits, he has been in the role since the spring of 2021.
Prior to this, Müller had nearly a decade-long academic career as a Post-doc and two years as a Researcher of Quantum Technology at IBM Research Zurich.
He received a Ph.D. in Physics from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
98. Kıvanç Esat: Application Scientist, Zurich Instruments
A Physicist with a background in photonics, spectroscopy, instrumentation and software development, Kıvanç Esat is an Application Scientist at Zurich Instruments.
Esat has experience in building experimental tools (optical trapping, spectroscopic characterization methods, imaging) and developing scientific software packages (global optimization, clustering, deep learning).
With a Ph.D. in Characterization of Optically Trapped Aerosol Particles: From Phase Transitions to Photochemical Reactions, before working at Zurich Instruments, Esat was a Research Assistant at Istanbul Technical University and ETH Zürich.
The final installment of this series, Part Eight, coming soon!
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