Research summary
Photons—the fundamental particles of light—are key to quantum technologies, yet conventional optical systems are bulky, imprecise and ill-suited to today’s needs. As Canada Research Chair in Quantum Photonics, Dr. Kai Wang is developing new nanostructured optical tools that will redefine how quantum light is generated, manipulated and measured.
By using metasurfaces (flat, nanostructured materials that control light with extreme precision) and photonic integrated circuits (tiny, chip-based systems), Wang and his research team are miniaturizing and improving the performance of quantum devices. They are applying these technologies to quantum-enhanced sensing, bio-imaging and even quantum computing. They are also exploring synthetic dimensions and topological states to create robust, chip-based quantum simulators. This research is laying the foundation for the next generation of compact, scalable quantum technologies. It also positions Canada at the forefront of quantum research and opens the door to a wide range of applications, from climate monitoring to computing.