Research Seminars @ Illinois

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Tailored for undergraduate researchers, this calendar is a curated list of research seminars at the University of Illinois. Explore the diverse world of research and expand your knowledge through engaging sessions designed to inspire and enlighten.

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Prof. Choi

IQUIST Seminar: "Quantum Computing Enhanced Sensing," Soonwon Choi, Assistant Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Event Type
Seminar/Symposium
Sponsor
IQUIST
Location
190 Engineering Sciences Building, 1101 W Springfield Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
Date
Nov 18, 2025   11:00 - 11:50 am  
Speaker
Soonwoon Choi, Assistant Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Contact
Stephanie Gilmore
E-Mail
stephg1@illinois.edu
Phone
217-244-9570
Views
30
Originating Calendar
IQUIST Seminar Series


Abstract: Quantum computing and sensing represent two distinct frontiers of quantum information science. Here, we harness quantum computing to solve a fundamental and practically important sensing problem: the detection of weak oscillating fields with unknown strength and frequency. We present a quantum computing enhanced sensing protocol, that we dub quantum search sensing, outperforming all existing approaches. Furthermore, we prove our approach is optimal by establishing the Grover-Heisenberg limit -- a fundamental lower bound on the minimum sensing time. The key idea is to robustly digitize the continuous, analog signal into a discrete operation, which is then integrated into a quantumalgorithm. Our metrological gain originates from quantum computation, distinguishing our protocol from conventional sensing approaches. Indeed, we prove that broad classes of protocols based on quantum Fisher information, finite-lifetime quantum memory, or classical signal processing are strictly less powerful. We propose and analyze a proof-of-principle experiment using nitrogen-vacancy centers, where meaningful improvements are achievable using current technology. This work establishes quantum computation as a powerful new resource for advancing sensing capabilities. 

Bio: Soonwon Choi is a Victor F. Weisskopf Career Development Assistant Professor of Physics at MIT, whose research is focused on quantum information science and technology and its applications for studying out-of-equilibrium dynamics of quantum many-body systems. Choi completed his undergraduate study in physics at Caltech in 2012, got his PhD degree in physics from Harvard University in 2018. Then he worked as a Miller Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley before joining MIT as an assistant professor in July 2021. 

 

  To watch online, go to the IQUIST YouTube channel:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzAySwQXF8J4kRolUzg2ww

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