You are cordially invited to UNAM Nanocolloquium seminars focusing on advancements in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The seminars bring us the most recent developments in these exciting fields. This week’s talk will be presented by Dr. Yusuf Karlı (University of Cambridge).
Nanocolloquium series
Title: Quantum Dots: Fundamentals to Quantum Networks
Date: January 14, 2026 (Wednesday)
Time and Venue: 11:00 UNAM Conference Hall (SU-01)
Abstract:
Quantum networks promise fundamentally new ways to communicate and process information by harnessing the laws of quantum mechanics. Semiconductor quantum dots offer a practical and scalable platform for realizing many of the key components required for such networks. Because quantum dots confine charge carriers in all three spatial dimensions, they exhibit discrete, atom-like energy levels that enable precise control over light–matter interactions.
This talk introduces the basic physics of quantum dots and explains how their optical properties enable the on-demand generation of single photons and entangled photon pairs. It then explores how interactions between confined spin states and emitted photons create spin–photon entanglement, providing a direct interface for quantum networking, and highlights how these capabilities position quantum dots as promising building blocks for quantum networks, with applications ranging from secure communication to distributed quantum information processing.
Short Bio:
Yusuf Karli completed his PhD at the University of Innsbruck in 2024 with Gregor Weihs, working on single and entangled photon generation from quantum dots. His PhD work was awarded IQOQI Thesis Prize by the Austrian Academy of Sciences. He then joined Mete Atatüre’s group at the University of Cambridge, where he works on quantum memory and quantum network applications using quantum dots. Since October 2025, he has been elected as Fellow and Director of Studies Natural Sciences at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge.