Institute for Quantum Computing

Researchers at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo report a new nanoscale diamond structure that better collects and controls light, published in Science Advances.

The novel device produces a ‘nanojet’ of light and shows promise for advancing scalable quantum technologies, including the potential to make quantum sensors better at detecting weak magnetic fields, which could enhance technologies in biomedical imaging or navigation in GPS-denied environments. It could also advance solid-state quantum computing architectures by improving control and readout of individual quantum bits (qubits), and the transfer of quantum information between them.

The work was done by Dr. Michal Bajcsy, IQC Faculty and Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and his group of post docs and graduate students at the Institute.

QuantumCore, a new startup spun out of research at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo, is accelerating its push toward commercialization with $10.7 million in dilutive and non-dilutive funding and a public listing after launching just more than six months ago.
 
The company was founded by IQC faculty Dr. Christopher Wilson, Chief Technology Officer and Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Eugene Profis, CEO.
 
It is developing an amplifier that boosts read-out signals produced by a superconducting quantum chip at near absolute zero temperatures and gets the signal into room temperature. This could solve one of the many hard engineering challenges in quantum computing.

More via news link in bio!

Five IQC faculty have received more than $1.8 in funding through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance Quantum grants program.

The funding goes to a wide variety of quantum sensing and quantum computing simulation projects.

More via news link in bio!

IQC at the University of Waterloo joins the global quantum community to celebrate World Quantum Day!

IQC is a world leader in the second quantum revolution. Founded in 2002, as part of a broad vision of Mike Lazaridis and his wife, Ophelia, it was one of the earliest global centres of quantum information research and technology. Since then, Waterloo has emerged as Canada’s full-stack quantum ecosystem, anchored by IQC.

Waterloo’s Quantum Valley thrives because of its close-knit community of partnerships, including collaborations between IQC and Perimeter Institute.

Congratulations to IQC PhD student Alex Maierean on receiving the 2026 Women in Defence and Security Scholarship and Canadian Global Affairs Institute Fellowship.
 
The scholarship recognizes outstanding women who are pursuing careers related to Canada’s defence and security.
 
Alex shared her thoughts with IQC about the significance of the award. Read via news link in bio!

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo welcomes the National Research Council Canada (NRC) investment of more than $161 million over five years to advance Canada’s leadership in quantum technology for defence and security applications.
 
The funding is part of the federal government’s $900 million commitment for defence innovation announced this week in Ottawa.
 
More via news link in bio!

The Quantum Co-laboratory linking specialized research infrastructure and unique expertise across the country has entered a second five-year term and now includes the University of Calgary Institute for Quantum Science and Technology (IQST), alongside IQC, Institut quantique - Université de Sherbrooke and UBC Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (Blusson QMI).

The initiative provides users from academia, industry, and government with access to world-leading expertise and advanced infrastructure required for quantum innovation, while serving as a national platform to develop the workforce needed to translate quantum capabilities into economic value for Canada.

IQC welcomes back Dr. John Watrous as the institute’s Director of Education and Training — a new role that is set to expand the institute’s academic strength and educational reach.

Watrous was IQC Faculty and Professor in University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Mathematics from 2006 to 2021 and made significant contributions to quantum information and quantum computation, particularly for his foundational work on quantum interactive proof systems research.

More via news link in bio!

In the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, IQC outreach connected quantum science with communities across Canada and around the world. From co-hosting Year of Quantum Across Canada Symposium with Perimeter Institute to engaging 22,000+ Canadians through 100+ events, IQC brought quantum learning beyond the lab.

IQC's inaugural WaveMakers showcase also brought together VCs, quantum startup founders, researchers, and industry partners for a full-house event, building and fostering connections in the quantum ecosystem.

Read more: https://uwaterloo.ca/institute-for-quantum-computing/news/2025-year-in-review