Quantum @Strathmore | Quantum Technologies 101
In this introductory lecture, we will touch on how and why the practical utilization of the rich and sometimes esoteric physical phenomena that govern the atomic scale has come to be seen as the next paradigm in computing, communication and sensing. We will zoom in on quantum computing and gain a joint understanding of the varied and potentially disruptive scientific, industrial and societal problems they target, the various hardware platforms that can be used to construct them, the main global players and what breakthroughs to expect, and which not yet, in 2023 and the near future.
“Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there.” ~ Richard P. Feynman
Short bio
Toivo Hensgens is a quantum physicist turned management consultant. He studied physics at Delft and Cambridge and obtained a cum laude PhD in quantum physics from the QuTech Institute, which included assisting Intel Corporation’s foray in quantum computing. In 2018 he joined Boston Consulting Group, and co-founded their Nairobi office the following year. Since then he’s led advisory projects across sectors for some of East Africa’s leading start-ups, corporates and development organizations.
Education
- BSc in Applied Physics – Delft University of Technology
- MASt in Theoretical and Experimental Physics – Cambridge University
- PhD in quantum physics – Delft University of Technology
Selected publications
Hensgens, T., Fujita, T., Janssen, L. et al. Quantum simulation of a Fermi–Hubbard model using a semiconductor quantum dot array, Nature 548, 70–73 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature23022
Hensgens, T. (2018). Emulating Fermi-Hubbard physics with quantum dots: from few to more and how to. Casimir PhD series 2017-47. https://doi.org/10.4233/uuid:b71f3b0b-73a0-4996-896c-84ed43e72035
J. M. Boter et al. Spiderweb Array: A Sparse Spin-Qubit Array, Phys.Rev.Applied 18 (2022) 2, 024053. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2110.00189
J. Lipfert et al. The Mechanical Properties of Double-Stranded RNA in Response to Force and Torque, Biophysical Journal, Volume 102, Issue 3, Supplement 1 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2011.11.1514.
Z.Yu et al. A force calibration standard for magnetic tweezers. Review of Scientific Instruments 85, 123114 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4904148
LinkedIn profile
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