46 Training and Discovery - ICFO
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HAPPENINGS TRAINING TRAINING THE LAST WORD
Corporate VC Investment 2021 Frontiers School: New Approaches Interview with
for LuxQuanta Summer Fellows to Atom-Light Interactions Ángel Ramírez
p.6 p.7 p.8 p.12
Community News Fall 2021
46
Training
and Discovery
2 ICFONIANS FALL 21
EDITOR'S CORNER COVER
Summer Fellows at
Brook
La Pedrera.
Hardwick
Each year, ICFO offers a limited
Seize the
Contributing Editor
number of internships to out-
standing undergraduate and
Master’s students to partici-
moment
pate in the Summer Fellows
Program. While conducting a
challenging research project, Summer Fellows engage
in a focused training program covering the basics and
applications of the different research topics active
at ICFO. This year, members of the program were
invited by Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera to participate
Summer Schools, Summer Fellows, in a guided tour of La Pedrera- Casa Milà, the Founda-
Summer Fun… tion's headquarters and a UNESCA World Heritage Site
in Barcelona.
INDEX
ICFOnians are by and large the kind of people who that uncertainty around the COVID situation would EDITOR’S CORNER 2
spot something interesting and worthwhile, and dive not permit a fully in- person event, with the inherent
in head first. We seize the moment and squeeze as networking interactions between students and leading HAPPENINGS 3
much as possible out of the opportunity. The Fall experts that these events provide. Ever determined to
edition of ICFOnians allows us to look back at the seize the opportunity that the fantastic program pre- ICFO NEWCOMERS 3
summer months when ICFOnians step outside their sented, they proceeded with a hybrid format and were
daily routines for an interesting change of pace. thrilled to see that this allowed even more students ICFO NEWS 4
around the world to take advantage of an amazing
ICFO has a wide offering of training and discovery
learning opportunity. Sixteen lectures spread out over LATEST ADVANCES 5
opportunities in the summer months targeting
four days in two hubs (Barcelona and Rehovot, Israel),
students and early career scientists. Last year due to
19 poster presentations, and over 300 registered at- BUSINESS NEWS 6
the pandemic, we were unable to welcome a cohort
tendees from 27 countries set a record for this fantastic
of Summer Fellows to the institute, however this year
we picked up with a great group of young scientists
event dedicated to new atom-light interactions! COLLABORATION 7
who took full advantage of the labs, lectures, tours As tempting as these offerings are, ICFOnians are not
TRAINING 8
and expertise that was offered as part of this program immune to the lure of some well-deserved R&R. After
backed by Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera. Some of you have read up about our new ICONS leadership
OUTREACH 9
the Summer Fellows will go on to complete Masters (p 11) who has signed up to work hard to help the PhD
level work, while others have PhDs and other career community get the most out of their PhD experience
plans on the horizon. We are pleased that they have through educational and networking activities; PEOPLE 10
taken full advantage of what ICFO had to offer this and then read on about Ángel Ramírez, President
BEYOND ICFO 10
summer and hope that as Summer Fellows and ICFO of GTD (p 12), a company that started out as an
alumni, they will be prepared for whatever lies ahead. entrepreneurial venture and has grown into a multi-
national giant that recently provided corporate VC GO & FLY 11
Frontiers Schools, organized by ICFO, often in partner-
seed funding for ICFO spin-off LuxQuanta (p 6); then
ship with other leading international research centers COMMUNITY 11
we invite you to sit back and enjoy vicariously some
and universities to offer talented young researchers and
highlights of ICFOnians’ summer fun. This edition’s
students worldwide a first introduction to a thematic MYSTERY ICFONIAN 11
Community Pictures (p 11) will take you from the
research area, are a central part of the ICFO training
football pitch here in Castelldefels to the mountains,
and development program. Coming out of over a year
of online events, the organizing team was disappointed
the Mediterranean, and beyond! THE LAST WORD 12
HIGH PROFILE 12
SCIENCE QUIZ 12
Mystery ICFOnian Chaitanya Kumar Suddapalli Science Quiz 1:B 2:C
Solution Ed #45 Research Fellow, Optical Parametric Oscillators group Answers from p.12 3:A 4:B
Coordinating Editor Contributors Pictures By
Brook Hardwick Tomás Charles © ICFO
Corporate Communications Head Visual Communications Vanessa Montero
Elena Enrique Claudia Leon
Editorial Committee Corporate Communications
Silvia Carrasco Sergi Ferrando
Knowledge & Technology Transfer Knowledge & Technology Transfer Layout
Director Brook Hardwick Comuniza
Corporate Communications Head
Brook Hardwick
Alina Hirschmann
Corporate Communications Head
Communications
Dolors Mateu Morgan Mitchell
ICFO Manager ICREA Group Leader,
Laia Miralles Atomic Quantum Optics
HR and Education Head Andrea Morales
Alumni, Communications
Morgan Mitchell
Ángel Ramírez
ICREA Group Leader, Atomic
President, GTD
Quantum Optics
Robert Sewell D.L.: B-54464-2008 | Icfonians® is a registered trademark
Andrea Morales Academic Affairs Head
Alumni, Communications Silvia Tognetti This content is licensed under the Creative Commons
Rob Sewell Outreach, Knowledge and Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivs 3.0 Unported
Academic Affairs Head Technology Transfer License. Except pictures that are copyrighted by ICFO.
ICFONIANS FALL 21 3
HAPPENINGS LUXQUANTA RECEIVES
CORPORATE VENTURE
CAPITAL SEED
INVESTMENT
p. 6
ICFO NEWCOMERS
Welcome
to ICFO
Papa Kwakye Kwarteng Lucero Cárdenas Razo Tatyana Ivanova
Student Student Student
Many of us joined ICFO or took a new position
at the institute between July and September.
Cristian Tabares Aleksandra Deeva Birger Deserrano
Student Student Student
Hanna Salamon Pontus Walan Edvin Sandén Teodor Parella Dilmé Carolina Fajardo Max Zayas Orihuela
Student Student Student Student Student Summer Fellow 2021
Arnau Mas Alejandro Andrés Enrique Cervero Iris Cecilia Kalien Saad Abdullah Sidney Palardonio
Summer Fellow 2021 Summer Fellow 2021 Summer Fellow 2021 Summer Fellow 2021 PhD Student PhD Student
Riccardo Bertini Marta Cagetti Iliyan Karadzhov Julita Poborska Aditya Jagadeesh Malla Tomáš Lamich
PhD Student PhD Student PhD Student PhD Student PhD Student PhD Student
Pedro M. Queiroz da Cruz Martin Hörmann Aleksander Wozniak Abigail Stein Gaël Massé Katharina Chirvi
Visiting PhD Student Visiting PhD Student Visiting PhD Student Visiting PhD Student-Fulbright Postdoctoral Research Postdoctoral Research
Charlie-Ray Mann Carmen Martínez Malak El-Quessny Debranjan Mandal Katerina Nikolaidou Seham Kamal
Postdoctoral Research Postdoctoral Research Postdoctoral Research Postdoctoral Research Postdoctoral Research Visiting Scientist
Not pictured
Manel Madrid Philipp Stammer
Student PhD Student
Rut Torner Elena Nolla Joana Ibáñez Solé JordiCortés Joel Compte
Administration Administration Administration Administration Student
4 ICFONIANS FALL 21
HAPPENINGS
ICFO NEWS
ICFO Scientific Innovations to Monitor Laserlab-Europe
Advisory Board Water Quality Nature Index Position Paper
In July, part of the ICFO SAB met at The Catalan Water Agency (ACA) pub- Nature Research compiles a data- Laserlab-Europe, a consortium
the institute and provided guidance lished a video illustrating their com- base of information from an inde- of leading national laser research
and advice about strategic projects mitment to the safest and cleanest pendently selected group of 82 high- infrastructures, has published a joint
that the institute will undertake. possible bathing areas in Catalonia. quality science journals in order to position paper, in which it highlights
They also assessed the progress made They highlight year-round work to monitor rank institutions in terms of their sci- its integrated, cross-domain and
in the implementation of the strategic water quality as well as the additional entific output. It serves as an indicator multi-faceted approach to address
plan associated with the Severo Ochoa scrutiny given to waters during the of research excellence and institutional the societal challenges of the Horizon
2020-2023 Excellence grant awarded summer’s peak bathing months. While performance, drawing on information Europe Missions. Together with
to ICFO by the Government of Spain. current measures are guaranteeing from a 12-month rolling window of data. associate partners, Laserlab-Europe
Researchers took advantage of the visit excellent water standards, the ACA seeks In the most recent index, the aggre- covers the majority of European member
to share research being conducted in the to to go a step further. The video draws gate data of the institutes that con- states. Select European laboratories,
labs and the SAB members also visited attention to a collaboration launched stitute BIST (the Barcelona Institute including ICFO’s Attoscience and
the new addition to ICFO’s facilities that with ICFO in 2020 through which the of Science and Technology) holds Ultrafast Optics (ICFO-Atto) facility and
will soon be completed in ICFO-W thanks Optoelectronics group led by ICREA the second overall national position, the Super-resolution Light Nanoscopy
to a philanthropic donation by Fundacio Prof Valerio Pruneri is working to develop only behind CSIC which aggregates & Microscopy (SLN) facility, participate
Privada Mir-Puig. Due to the COVID-19 a system to detect and monitor data for 49 institutes in all areas of sci- in the Laserlab-Europe infrastructures
restrictions in place around the world, undesirable microorganisms whose ence. ICFO is one of 7 CERCA institutes and receive EC funding support in
only a subgroup of the SAB was able to prevalence may increase dramatically that form BIST (the other members are order to offer access to their facilities
attend this particular meeting, therefore after episodes of heavy rain and CRG, IBEC, ICIQ, ICN2, IFAE and IRBB), for research teams from Europe and
a new meeting of the full Board will take flooding. The new mechanism under and contributes 36 % of its total share. beyond. With its extensive set of
place as soon as COVID-19 permits. development will provide quantitative advanced laser research infrastructures,
water quality results much faster, thus, scientific expertise, innovative research
improving the efficiency in the use of the and services, Laserlab-Europe promotes
natural environment while guaranteeing new horizons for the European Green
2021 RSEF-BBVA Young its quality and safety. Deal, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan,
the UN’s Sustainable Development
Investigator Award for Video: http://s.ic.fo/ACA_video Goals, and, in particular, the Horizon
Experimental Physics Europe Missions.
Master of Multidisciplinary Save the Date
Research in Experimental 2021 BIST Conference
Sciences (registration now open)
The jury for the 2021 Spanish Royal
Physics Society (RSEF) and the BBVA
Foundation Physics Prizes has recently
awarded ICFO Group Leader Prof D.
Pelayo García de Arquer the Young
Investigator Award in Experimental
Physic. The jury highlighted his leadership This September marked the Barce- Register now for the 2021 BIST Con-
in the area of materials science with very lona Institute of Science and Tech- ference that will focus on a key BIST
notable contributions in optoelectronics nology’s (BIST) fifth annual Master of research initiative: Quantum Technolo-
and clean and renewable energies. They Multidisciplinary Research in Experi- gies. Leading experts will present the
emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of mental Sciences (MMRES) Ceremony current status of quantum technologies
his work that includes the manipulation of at the Fundació Catalunya - La Pedrera in Catalonia, Europe, and the World, their
the transfer of energy in nanostructured Auditorium. The event brought together applications in industry, and their influ-
materials and catalysis, bringing together the incoming cohort of 23 students and ence in creative fields. The conference
knowledge of physics, chemistry of the 21 graduating students of the BIST will take place online and in-person with
materials and photonics. Through the MMRES. This year in person, the event additional satellite sessions held online.
Physics Prizes, the RSEF and the BBVA celebrated the enormous achievements BIST Conference is open to the whole
Foundation seek to recognize creativity, of the outgoing class 2020/2021 and scientific and innovation community
effort and achievement in the field of welcomed the new cohort into the BIST and general public.
physics, thus acting as a stimulus to Community.
professionals who carry out their work Main conference: Nov 3
both in research. Satellite sessions: Nov 2,4,5,16
ICFONIANS FALL 21 5
HAPPENINGS
LATEST ADVANCES
Quantum dots enable infrared Previous studies had demonstrated stimulated
emission and optical gain of quantum dots on thin
lasing at room temperature films. Building on this, the researchers were ultimately
able to insert the setup into a cavity to achieve
for silicon photonics lasing. With their experimental setup, they were able
to demonstrate lasing emission across the eye-safe
optical communication infrared spectrum and at room
In a paper published in Nature Photonics, ICFO
temperature, thus, possibly finding the last piece of the
researchers Guy Whitworth, Mariona Dalmases, and
jigsaw puzzle for silicon photonics.
Nima Taghipour, led by ICREA Prof at ICFO Gerasimos
Konstantatos have reported the achievement of a The results of this study are considered a major
colloidal quantum-dot-based (CQD) infrared laser breakthrough in the field of CQD optoelectronics as
source operating at room temperature, compatible they may facilitate fully integrated silicon photonics,
with CMOS technology and tunable to emit in the paving the way towards low-cost solution processed
telecommunications window, an important milestone and CMOS integrated lasing sources for on-chip comm
needed for classical or quantum communications. or LIDAR applications.
Mechanical Twisted bilayer graphene
qubits made of dances with light
nanotubes and In a recent work published in
Nature Physics, ICFO researchers
quantum dots Niels Hesp, Iacopo Torre, David
Barcons-Ruiz and Hanan Herzig
Sheinfux, led by ICREA Prof at ICFO
In a study published in Physics Review X,
Frank Koppens, in collaboration
researchers Prof Fabio Pistolesi (CNRS,
with the research groups of Prof
University of Bordeaux), Prof Andrew
to the mechanical system, such that Pablo Jarillo-Herrero (MIT), Prof By exploiting the properties of plasmons, the
N. Cleland (University of Chicago), and
quantum information can be controllably Marco Polini (University of Pisa), scientists were able to observe how these
Prof Dr Adrian Bachtold (ICFO) develop
encoded in just two quantum levels, Prof Efthimios Kaxiras (Harvard), plasmons propagate in the material, while
a theoretical proposal for quantum
a key requirement for manipulating Prof Dmitri Efetov (ICFO) and NIMS being strongly confined to it. Moreover, by
information processing an innovative
and storing quantum information. (Japan), have found that twisted observing the unusual collective optical phe-
electromechanical system, using a
This provides a simple and practical bilayer graphene can be used nomena occurring in the material, they were
mechanical qubit composed of a nanotube
approach to a mechanically-based to guide and control light at the able to understand the peculiar properties of
resonator coupled to a double-quantum
qubit, that further should display very nanometer scale. This is possible the electrons. This observation of propagating
dot formed in the suspended nanotube.
long coherence times as well as easy thanks to the interaction between light, confined to the nanoscale, can be used
The researchers use the quantum dots to qubit-qubit coupling, satisfying the major light and the collective movement as a platform for optical sensing of gases and
introduce a very strong “anharmonicity” requirements for a quantum computer. of the electrons in the material. bio-molecules.
The team recorded videos Philipp Stammer currently at Max Born
of both wild-type C. elegans Institute in Berlin, in collaboration with
and mutant, and studied researchers from FORTH, have reported
one of the C. elegans pro- on the theoretical and experimental
prioceptor neurons, the demonstration that intense laser–atom
DVA. They observed the interactions may lead to the generation
changes in the neuron’s of highly non-classical states of light.
calcium and potassium ion
Such results have been obtained by using
channels and how they in-
the process of high-harmonic generation
duced or suppressed the
in atoms, in which large numbers of
neuron’s activity.
photons from a driving laser pulse of
Self-movement They found that the alternation
between tension and compres-
infrared frequency are up-converted
into photons of higher frequencies in
and body position sion in the spectrin proteins of
the sensory neurons regulates
the extreme ultraviolet spectral range.
The quantum electrodynamical theory,
of the roundworm the body posture. They also point
out a general mechanism of den-
Optical formulated in this study, predicts that
if the initial state of the driving laser is
Caenorhabditis drites, responsible of transmitting
the signals detected by the pro-
Schrodinger’s coherent, it remains coherent, but shifted
in amplitude after interactions with the
elegans prioceptor neurons. In this mech-
anism, compression and extension
cat states in atomic medium.
In a new study published in the journal
stresses modulate two opposing
ion channels in the neurons, one
high harmonic This study opens the path towards
the control of the non-classical states
Science Advances, ICFO researchers Ravi
Das, Li-Chun Lin, Frederic Català-Castro,
excitatory and the other inhibitory,
responsible for transmitting the
generation of ultra-intense light, and exploiting
conditioning approaches on physical
Nawaphat Malaiwong, Neus Sanfeliu- signals. This generates functional processes relevant to high-harmonic
Cerdán, Montserrat Porta-de-la-Riva, and compartmentalization, with active In a recent study published in Nature generation. This could link ultra-intense
Aleksandra Pidde, led by ICFO Prof Michael and inactive zones, allowing the Physics, ICFO researchers ICREA Prof laser-matter physics and atto-science
Krieg investigate the mechanics, molecules, neurons to be activated locally and Maciej Lewenstein and Javier Rivera, to quantum information science and
and neurons driving locomotion in the improving the control of the overall ICFO Alumni Marcelo Ciappina, now at quantum technologies in a novel, and
roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. movements. Technion-China, and Emilio Pisanty and completely unexpected manner.
6 ICFONIANS FALL 21
HAPPENINGS
BUSINESS NEWS
LuxQuanta Receives ACTPHAST
Corporate Venture Opportunities that will allow
companies and European
Capital Seed researchers access to Photonics
innovation solutions and
Investment technology
support
Investment round to fuel
ICFO’s 10th spin-off, advancing ACTPHAST, an ICT
project funded by
LuxQuanta’s strategic growth plan the European Union’s
H2020 program, is a
“one-stop-shop” for
LuxQuanta Technologies S. L., a technology
supporting photonics
spin-off launched in May 2021 from ICFO’s KTT “This investment is an important first step for Lux-
innovation.
Launchpad, is advancing towards its goal of providing Quanta to become a leading provider of quan-
high-performance and cost-effective quantum tum-safe solutions. GTD and Corning are companies Two ACTPHAST projects are currently running to
cryptography solutions, including continuous variable whose technology is complementary to LuxQuanta support innovation in Photonics, one for companies
quantum key distribution systems, to implement products. We are very excited to work with them to and the other one for researchers, and have received
an extra layer of security services for companies leverage synergies and build strong collaboration,” an extension due to the COVID pandemic. One of
and network infrastructures. The young company commented LuxQuanta’s CTO, Sebastian Etcheverry. them, ACTPHAST 4.0, is entering its final year and is now
recently received investment from industry leader actively encouraging companies to take advantage
Corning and GTD that represents an important step of available funding which will make it possible for
forward in establishing LuxQuanta as a unique them to receive hands-on support from experts.
Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) is
provider of quantum-safe security solutions for
one of the world’s leading innovators in materials • ACTPHAST 4.0 is especially designed to support
current communication infrastructures.
science, with a 170-year track record of life-chan- European companies who want to boost the
LuxQuanta’s technology and IP originated in the ICFO ging inventions. innovation of their project with photonics. It is
research group led by ICREA Prof Dr Valerio Pruneri. open to companies of all sizes, but particularly
GTD (www.gtd.es) is a high-tech company, com-
The investment from Corning and GTD will enable targeting SMEs who do not have the financial
mitted to the design, integration and operation
LuxQuanta to bring technology from the lab to resources to invest in in-house R&D expertise and
of complex, mission-critical applications and
commercialization, enabling the deployment of state-of-the-art technologies, allowing them to
systems throughout the world.
quantum key distribution technology for securing undertake risky innovation projects by giving them
digital data in the near future. direct access to the expertise and state-of-
the-art facilities of Europe‘s leading photonics
research centers (the ACTPHAST Partners). This
enables companies to exploit the tremendous
The laser manufacturer TRUMPF has
commercial potential of applied photonics. ICFO
designed new systems that can deliver
is one of 24 research institutes who together make
up to 2 KW of infrared pulsed radiation,
up the ACTPHAST 4.0 Partners.
capable of removing residues from pre-
vious welding operations and thus pre- • ACTPHAST4R aims to support researchers
paring the manufactured part for the who have a conceptional breakthrough and
finishing stages. The LASERKUBIK for would like to realize their prototype (or some
this project has length-width dimensions components for their prototype) with mature
of 4.5 x 2.75m, a total height of 4m, and photonics technologies. It is particularly targeted
ProCareLight provides the necessary protection for
the operation of the new TRUMPF Tru-
to researchers from non-photonics domains that
are actively seeking to innovate and exploit
launches LASERKUBIK
Micro laser and the protection of the rest new conceptual breakthroughs enabled by
of the machinery and workers. photonics. Researchers are given access to
the advanced photonics technology platforms
"It is essential that direct or diffuse optical
in order to demonstrate their conceptual
A new laser enclosure for an innovative radiation produced in laser manufactur-
b re a k t h ro u g h s w i t h i n d u s t r i a l l y- re l eva n t
ing processes be prevented from reach-
laser cleaning system ing people where it can cause perma-
equipment. In addition to maturing and building
demonstrators, ACTPHAST4R offers internship at
nent injuries, especially to the eyesight,"
photonics technology centers, hands-on training
ProCareLight, a company specialized in laser safety that spun- underscores JM Silvestre, CEO of
with the advanced photonics technologies,
out of ICFO in 2013, is widely known in the research and industrial PROCARELIGHT.
and deployment coaching by experienced
environments as the most experienced consultancy advisor in the field. European Union legislation obliges com- ACTPHAST4R business development experts.
Recently it has widened its business scope by supplying laser panies to take measures to avoid expos-
protection products and developing its LASERKUBIK customized ICFO participates in both ACTPHAST 4.0 and ACTPHAST
ing workers to artificial optical radiation,
enclosures for industrial manufacturing laser cells. 4R. Companies and researchers that submit proposals
through Directive 2006/25/EC, which
seeking support from ICFO experts that could lead
has been transposed into the legislation
In collaboration with the leading automated welding company Serra to economically viable innovations for industries are
of all member states. PROCARELIGHT
Soldadura, ProCareLight has designed, built and installed a LASERKU- encouraged to apply now.
offers its LASERKUBIK enclosures for
BIK enclosure for an innovative laser cleaning system in an automotive
production cells, facilitating the use of
factory in Hungary.
laser technology with total safety and
This innovative laser cleaning technology is being introduced into fac- helping its customers to comply with
tories and assembly lines, especially into the automotive sector and the obligations for the health of their
in this case in Hungary for the cleaning of the Front Subframes of the workers, in terms of protection against +INFO
Volkswagen MEB41. radiation from laser systems. www.actphast.eu
ICFONIANS FALL 21 7
LA CRIPTOGRAFIA
COLLABORATION
QUÀNTICA A L’AULA
ICFO MACIEJ
LEWENSTEIN QUANTUM
SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS
p. 9
YOUNG TALENT
ICFO Summer
ICFO SUMMER FELLOWS 2021
(Left to Right) Top row: Jaime Echave-Sustaeta, Jacopo De Santis,
Max Zayas and Enrique Cervero. Middle: Sylvia Lacher, Arnau Mas,
Fellows 2021
Paula Cordero and Maria Flors Mor. Bottom: Rob Sewell (Head
of Academic Affairs) and Giovanna Petrillo (Academic Affairs)
After a one-year hiatus due to the global pandemic, the ICFO Summer
Fellows program, with the support of Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera,
was back in full swing again this summer for its 15th edition.
Ten undergraduate and Master’s students spent the summer at ICFO, carrying
out challenging research projects under the supervision of a Group Leader and
with the assistance of Postdocs or PhD students. In addition, the fellows take
part in a series of Summer Lectures that are designed to introduce newcomers
to the many different research lines at ICFO, as well as lab tours and other
activities that allow young scientists to experience ICFO as a researcher.
01. Alejandro Andrés 02. Enrique Cervero 03. Paula Cordero 04. Jaime Echave-Sustaeta 05. Iris-Cecilia Kaliën
Quantum Nano- Quantum Information Medical Optics group led Nanophotonics Theory Atomic Quantum Optics
Optoelectronics group Theory group led by by ICREA Prof at ICFO group led by ICREA Prof group led by ICREA Prof at
led by ICREA Prof at ICFO ICREA Prof at ICFO Turgut Durduran at ICFO Javier García ICFO Morgan Mitchell
Frank Koppens Antonio Acín de Abajo
I came to ICFO for the I am currently planning
Thanks to the Summer What really stands out opportunity to work in a I knew a former Sum- on taking a gap year to
Fellows program, I am about the experience cutting-edge research mer Fellow who told me prepare for a PhD. The
more eager to pursue is to be treated just like center and with enthu- about the experience SF program has helped
a PhD in Quantum any another researcher, siastic scientists and and I wanted to get me sharpen my ideas
Physics, Photonics or instead of a student. The students, and to acquire exposure to the actual and demonstrated what
new technologies. It has learning curve was steep, new knowledge. I am research. I know now other possibilities are out
also helped me discover as is always the case with happy to have learned that I want to go into there, through talking
that research topics are Mathematics whenever all the techniques that research and I am more to the colleagues in my
very diverse, even inside you delve into a new topic, my group works on, the confident about my own group but also through
the same branch of but everybody was always experience to work in a skills (and also, aware of the conversations I had
knowledge. really helpful and available lab and participate in the my flaws). and the connections
for chats. development of a medi- I made with the other
cal optics device. Summer Fellows.
06. Sylvia Lacher 07. Arnau Mas 08. Maria Flors Mor 09. Jacopo De Santis 10. Max Zayas
Attoscience and Ultrafast Quantum Information Theoretical Quantum- Atomic Quantum Optics Ultracold Quantum Gases
Optics group led by ICREA Theory group led by Nano Photonics group group led by ICREA Prof at group led by Prof Leticia
Prof at ICFO Jens Biegert ICREA Prof at ICFO led by ICREA Prof at ICFO ICFO Morgan Mitchell Tarruell
Antonio Acín Darrick Chang
I applied for the SF fe- I gained the ability to The work environment
llowship as I didn't have I will move on to a What I have learned deal on my own with the is quite positive. All the
any lab experience and Master’s degree in during these past months many different problems members of the group
I wanted to know what mathematical physics, at ICFO can be applied that arise daily in the have been willing to help
a future career would so the experience at to the work I did during lab, for example building me when I needed it, but
look like if I still wanted ICFO (having been in a my master and it has the equipment I need they have also allowed
to pursue a PhD. I also theory group) will most helped me to have a or finding alternative me to solve problems
wanted to see how what definitely be beneficial better understanding on solutions. on my own and make
I was learning in the and helpful. the scientific papers I’m decisions actively in my
classroom applied to cu- interested in. project.
rrent research projects.
8 ICFONIANS FALL 21
COLLABORATION
TRAINING FOR INNOVATION
ICFO-Weizmann School
on the Frontiers of Light
July 5-8
New Approaches Launch of the Master
to Atom-Light Interactions in Quantum Science
and Technology
ICFO organizes annual schools that offer talented
ICFO is one of the leading research institutes
young researchers and students worldwide
a first introduction to a thematic research and universities in the Barcelona region behind
area and a taste of an international research the recently launched Master in Quantum Science
environment. Regularly offered in partnership and Technology in Barcelona
with leading international organizations, these
schools incorporate a dynamic and social Weizmann Hub
The program, aimed at graduates in Physics, Physical Engineering or
learning environment including lectures, group
equivalent degrees who want to continue specialization studies in
discussions, direct interactions with the lecturers,
Quantum Science and Technologies, offers access to cutting-edge
student talks and poster presentations.
theoretical and experimental research in the fields of quantum sens-
In July, ICFO and the Weizmann Institute of ing, communication, computing and simulation. Direct connections
Science teamed up to offer a School focusing to industry through the QuantumCAT community, in addition to the
on 'New Approaches to Atom-Light Interactions', participation of high-tech companies in the teaching program and an
exposing young researchers to some of the annual careers symposium, will facilitate the future integration of stu-
recent exciting approaches to next generation dents in both academic and industrial sectors.
atom-light interfaces. The new platforms
covered included ordered atomic arrays,
“Quantum physics will play a major role in the next de-
ensembles of Rydberg atoms, atomic interfaces
with nano- and micro-photonic structures, and velopments in our capacity to compute, communicate,
superconducting circuit QED-based systems. and measure with precision. A solid education in Quan-
tum sciences will be a crucial asset to both push the
The organizing faculty members were ICREA ICFO Hub
Prof at ICFO Dr Darrick Chang and ICFO Prof Dr boundaries of our knowledge and also to develop new
Robert Sewelll, and Professors Ofer Firstenberg industrial products profiting from the intricate quantum
allowing participants from around the world
and Ephraim Shahmoon from the Weizmann
who normally would not have had access to
properties. This master is the seed for a quantum future.”
Institute of Science.
this school, to connect. There were over 300 Prof Bruno Julia
As COVID-related travel restrictions did not attendees registered for the school, reaching 27 Coordinator of the Master in the Quantum Science
allow for all participants to meet together in countries. Over 100 attendees connected at a and Technology program notes
one location, this 4-day joint school was held in- time for the over 20 hours of online session.
person at both the ICFO and Weizmann hubs,
Through the SPIE@ICFO Chair for Diversity “Quantum technology is growing rapidly in Catalonia,
with lectures at one location simulcast to the
other. In-person activities included tutorials, Q&A
in the Photonic Sciences, ICFO offered travel with universities, research centers, startup companies
fellowships for international masters and and established industrials all working to bring about the
sessions with the local lecturers, and interactive
undergraduate students to participate in person
thematic sessions. There were also joint online second quantum revolution. QuantumCAT, strongly sup-
at one of the hubs, with preference given to
discussion sessions between the hubs. Students ports the creation of the Master in QST, as a way to boost
students from developing countries. Although
participating in the two local hubs were invited
COVID restrictions made it difficult for these the skilled workforce in this dynamic industry. We look
to present a poster of their current research,
with the organizing committee selecting some
students to travel in many instances, 13 external forward to working with MQST students and graduates.”
students were able to join at ICFO, and thanks
of these posters and inviting students to give a ICREA Prof at ICFO Dr Morgan Mitchell
to the support of both SPIE and additionally
contributed short talk. Leader of the Atomic Quantum Optics group at ICFO and Coordinator
OSA, word of this school and the opportunity to
of QuantumCAT, the Quantum Technologies Hub of Catalonia
While participants were disappointed to lose the connect remotely reached interested students
opportunity to gather all together in person for this around the world, making it possible for this
event, the online format was hugely successful ICFO- Weizmann School on the Frontiers of Light +INFO
in terms of reaching a diverse audience and to have a truly global reach. www.quantummasterbarcelona.eu
TRAINING- SAVE THE DATE
October 25-28, 2021
ICFO- UT Stanford International School on the Frontiers of Light:
Photons for Green Energy
November 8-12, 2021
ICFO- UNAM International School on the Frontiers of Light:
Quantum Challenges
**Schools to be held this year Through the SPIE@ICFO Chair for Diversity in the Photonic Sciences, ICFO offers
in hybrid and/or online format Travel Fellowships for international masters and undergraduate students to participate
in ICFO Schools, with preference given to students from developing countries.
ICFONIANS FALL 21 9
COLLABORATION
OUTREACH
ICFO Maciej Lewenstein During the rest of the course, they learned
more about quantum physics and the related
Quantum School
emerging technologies through online
classes, animation and videos extracted from
the Quantum Tour and other ICFO projects.
for Teachers
“[This course] gave me
Quantum Technologies course
a general idea of what
for high-school teachers
LA CRIPTOGRAFIA quantum physics is.
QUÀNTICA A L’AULA I started from scratch and
This July, the Col·legi Oficial de Doctors i Llicenciats en
Filosofia i Lletres i en Ciències de Catalunya invited the ICFO now I feel competent.”
outreach team to give a course for their summer school.
- participating teacher
We designed a course about quantum technologies,
a 10-day journey that took the participants from the
basic concepts of quantum physics to emerging
quantum technologies. The possibility of learning
All the materials provided to the participants
directly from ICFOnians about topics that are hot but
during the course, including the activities for
that are usually perceived as difficult to understand was
the classroom developed by the ICFO out-
attractive to many high-school science teachers and the
reach team, will be available online in three
course was fully booked.
languages (Catalan, Spanish and English) as
On the first day, the participants met ICFO group leader part of the ICFO Maciej Lewenstein Quan-
ICREA Prof Dr Maciej Lewenstein who introduced them tum School for Teachers. This is a new pro-
to the realm of quantum technologies. On the same day gram that aims to train teachers and provide
they also took part in the quantum edition of the Decide them the tools to introduce the quantum
Game designed by ICFO. This activity allowed them to world to new generations who will most likely
get acquainted with an unknown topic in a dynamic and observe the impact of (even more) quantum
entertaining way through discussions in small teams. technologies in their lives.
Hac Te, a new Barcelona hub focused on the exploration and development
of the intersections between Art, Science and Technology, was launched in
December 2020 and connects leading organizations in those fields. ICFO
is one of the founding partners together with UOC, UPC, Fira Barcelona,
BSC, BIST, Barcelona Tech City, HANGAR and New Art foundation. The
initiative, supported by institutions such as the Barcelona City Council, the
Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, aims
to boost the digital transformation of society and to make Barcelona
a global center for research, training, dissemination, transfer and
production in this field. Fostering relations between the many different
parties that already work separately in Barcelona in the fields of art, design,
science and technology, could in fact produce valuable knowledge to meet
the challenges of the digital transformation needed for the development
of society.
In June 2021, Hac Te offered five grants for research and production
of artistic works in the field of confluence between art, science
and technology. In addition to supporting funds, the grant included a
residency at one of the research centers during which artists were given
the opportunity to receive mentorship from the researchers to feed the
scientific inspiration of their projects.
Five projects were awarded from 71 proposals submitted. One of these
Art & Science:
projects, “Dark Chambers of Ideology” (Cambres fosques de la
ideologia) by Estampa, an up and coming artistic collective and
professional studio specialized in experimental cinema and animation,
Hac Te residencies
data visualization and interactive media, chose to collaborate with
ICFO for their project. This entailed an investigation into the technological
mediations that operate behind the images and in which different audiovisual
formats are used, putting the darkroom in dialogue with the operational
images of artificial intelligence. Estampa and ICFO had a first working session
Over the years, ICFO has been increasingly in September, in which they visited the institute, experimented with the
involved in projects at the interface between Schlieren camera in the ICFOseum, and had a productive meeting with Dr
Jordi Andilla of the SLN team in which they delved into the fascinating world
art and science, with ICFOnians mixing their of high-resolution microscopy, discussing the techniques and elements they
photonics knowledge with music and visual could use for their installation. More interactions will follow to help Estampa
make their vision a reality and with the goal of showcasing their work in the
arts and partnering with artists of different 2022 edition of Ars Electronica in Linz.
disciplines
10 ICFONIANS FALL 21
PEOPLE
BEYOND ICFO
Career Paths
for Postdocs
The Beyond ICFO annual career event brings
together members of the Alumni network to
showcase ways that they are applying their
training in a variety of career paths
By sharing their experiences with the ICFO
community, Alumni are able to introduce career
options and applications of scientific training that Panel Discussion
may not be on the radar of ICFOnians who may
be considering their next career move. This year,
ICFOnians who were postdocs at the institute and
that have gone on to follow a variety of professional
routes, both in and outside of academia, came
together to share insights on the decisions they
made that influenced their career choices.
ALESSANDRO CERÈ CAITRIONA CREELY RICCARDO SAPIENZA
Prof Michael Senior ML Specialist Program Manager: Professor of Physics
Totzeck Solution Architect at
AWS
Data Infrastructures and
Personalized Medicine
at Blackett Laboratory,
Imperial College
Keynote talk at the Irish Health London
“As scientists we have
The event kicked off Research Board
a lot of technical “I’d like to dispel some
with perspectives from knowledge, but this “Step back and reflect a myths that are behind
an industry leader that knowledge is not what little bit about yourselves: the Academic path: you
draws much of its talented makes us valuable in ‘When am I most don’t need to have the
workforce from PhD and industry. Our value is the energized at work?’, largest number of Nature
Postdoc Community. ability to translate, to talk ‘What really motivates papers. What you need
across the spectrum and me?’ and then look for to become an acade-
Prof Michael Totzeck, Research Fellow at Carl talk both to executives an area where you can mic is to have a vision
Zeiss AG, opened the event with a talk that and technical people. contribute, whether and a story. You need to
compared the goals and hard skills relevant for And you learn that it’s industry, academia, want to do something
positions in industry and academia. He shared from years of teaching, public sector, healthcare… different, and then work
tips with ICFOnians about the best ways to outreach activities, etc. It doesn’t matter. If it in something that you’re
excel in their career paths, both in industry and That’s the value motivates you, that’s how motivated to do and that
academia, and the soft skills needed to succeed. you can bring” you’ll make a difference” is a breakthrough idea”
LEADERSHIP
New Board for
This new team takes over from out-
going leaders Arturo Villegas (Presi-
dent); Blanca Belsa (Vice-President);
ICONS Monserrat Álvarez (Secretary); Jana
Ockova (Treasurer); Cristian Boghiu
(Communications Officer); and Pablo
The general assembly of the ICFO Fernández (Diversity Officer).
Organization and Network of In spite of the peculiarities of this atyp-
Students (ICONS) appoints a new ical year that was marked by social dis-
board of officers by an open vote tancing for COVID, this leadership team
was very active, working to launch pro-
grams for the PhD community and the
2021 ICONS LEADERS:
ICONS promotes educational activities for students, institution in general, including the first
boosting their career opportunities by drawing (L to R) Julita Poborska (Diversity and Inclusion institutional PRIDE Month celebration
them closer to the photonics community. Likewise, Officer); Carolina Fajardo (Secretary); Cristian at ICFO. Congratulations to the new
the network endeavors to intensify the interaction and Boghiu (Treasurer); Giulia Lo Gerfo (Vice-Presi- ICONS leaders and many thanks to the
collaboration of its members within ICFO by organizing dent); Blanca Belsa (President); Jessica Angulo outgoing team for all your efforts to
social events like Social Friday, and in typical years, the (Communications Officer) enrich the experience of PhD students
annual International Food Festival, amongst others. at ICFO.ICFONIANS FALL 21 11
PEOPLE
GO & FLY
Congratulations Each of these ICFOnians has played an important role in ICFO’s success and reputation as a leading international research institute.
Honoring ICFO’s tradition, ICFOnians celebrate this important personal, professional and institutional milestone and encourage you
to 4 New ICFO to Go & Fly! Remember that wherever you go, you will always be a part of the ICFO community.
PhD Graduates
235 ICFOnians
have successfully
defended their theses
Continuing to adapt to the
need for social distancing,
ICFO’s newest PhD 232 July 7, 2021 233 September 8, 2021 234 September 28, 2021 235 September 29, 2021
graduates defended their SLAVEN TEPSIC NILS-ERIC GUENTHER PAU GÓMEZ KABELKA GUILLERMO MARTÍNEZ-
theses in a hybrid format, DENEGRI SÁNCHEZ
“Optomechanical Resonators “Dynamics of Quantum “Spinor Bose-Einstein Comag-
with the thesis committees,
Based on Low Dimensional Mixtures” netometer and Interhyperfine “Light Harvesting and Energy
colleagues, friends and
Materials” Interactions in Rb87” Efficiency in Perovskite Solar
family supporting them in TD: ICREA Prof Dr Maciej
Lewenstein and Dr Pietro Cells and Their Applications”
this important moment from TD: Prof Dr Adrian Bachtold TD: ICREA Prof Dr Morgan W.
the auditorium and online. Massignan Mitchell TD: UPC Prof Dr Jordi Martorell
COMMUNITY PICTURES
When the weather gets warm, ICFOnians Andrea Morales, waking up on Rhule Marta Martín, laying
hit the road to recharge their batteries. Refuge in the french Pyrenees on Mallorca's beach
Adventure, relaxation, sports, culture and
site seeing- you name it, we did it!
Rajashree Haldankar at
Palma Aquarium, Mallorca
ICFO Excursionistes are back!
Camí de Ronda from l'Ampolla
to l'Ametlla de Mar
Stuti Gugnani, snorkelling during
her holidays in Calpe, Alicante
Brook Hardwick, at the top
Ariadna Martínez, in of Rockefeller Center, NYC
Prada de Conflent to
present ICFO's Health
Carlota Corbella, Elena Enrique exploring portfolio at la Universitat Miriam Marchena and Kevin
walking through clouds Las Bardenas Reales Catalana d'Estiu Schädler with their trophy
basket full of 'Rovellons'
Projects Team
Anne Gstöttner enjoying a 'smooth'
reunion in Menorca
landing during her Balloon ride
Gabriel Fernández visited La Maleza
ICFO Football wildlife park and saw two specimens
Tournament! of the extinc aurochs
ICFOnians are a fascinating group, with 1. Prior to coming to Castelldefels, she lived in the US and Argentina.
hobbies, interests and talents that may
2. She never leaves her house without earrings on.
surprise you. Have a look around and
see if you can guess who this edition’s 3. She and her family share their house with other flat mates.
How much do you Mystery ICFOnian is!
4. Many ICFOnians have her cellphone number.
know about the people Look for the answer in the next edition
you work with? of ICFOnians. 5. She enjoys playing board games and her favorite is Carcassonne.THE LAST WORD
HIGH PROFILE
Ángel Ramírez “The leitmotiv of GTD is
President, GTD that we do not do things
that are easy; we do
Can you give a brief overview of GTD? things that are critical.”
We founded our company 34 years ago and we are now
over 400 engineers, scientists, IT professionals from to bring their teams to us. And our employees love
multiple nationalities, all working together. Our average Barcelona- there are more than just economic
age is 29- we are constantly injecting young, new arguments to draw people here to work. At ICFO
human capital. We work in four large sectors: Aerospace there are also many international researchers who
Engineering; Defense and Security; Energy and Scientific could go anywhere. In fact, ICFO is a great example
facilities; and Logistics and transport. The founding partners of what makes Barcelona great. It is a place that
that could be vulnerable to a quantum computer or a
of GTD brought together strong backgrounds in industrial brings together excellent hard-core science with
conventional super computer. The building block to
automation, control processes, regulation, instrumentation, the development of new businesses. We also have
protect these is Quantum Key Distribution- which is
real-time computing… but we never dreamed we’d be world-class biomedical talent and Barcelona Super
exactly what LuxQuanta is developing.
working in the aerospace sector. Our initial focus was Computing - an international reference center,
on industrial robotics, which is still an important part In addition to the aerospace sector, we have shared among others. And all this happens right here.
of our business. The leitmotiv of GTD is that we do not interests with LuxQuanta in the Defense and Security
Can you share your advice for our PhD stu-
do things that are easy; we do things that are critical. sector where there are concerns for cybersecurity in
dents and post-doctoral researchers wanting
Our work is tremendously precise and always with the telecommunications systems, in critical environments
to start a career in industry or even create
premise of operational safety. Operational safety issues are and networks, where the possibility of intrusion
their own companies?
tremendously important, and we are experts in this area. must be mitigated. We also have shared interests in
technologies we are using in the Energy and Science My first recommendation if you want to start
GTD has recently invested corporate seed capital in
sector where we could potentially collaborate and/or your own company is to never do it alone. Five
ICFO’s spin-off LuxQuanta. How do their activities fit in
exchange experiences with the goal of developing new of us founded GTD and if we had not been five,
GTD’s portfolio?
technologies, the sooner the better, for mutual benefit. it would not have worked. Together we have
We consider our investment in LuxQuanta an industrial created more than 15 companies, some have
As a high-tech company with a large part of your
investment, where we can turn to them as often as succeeded and some have not. Second, you
client base being international, is there a plus to
necessary to help us to meet our clients’ needs that we are have to have solid experience and expertise and
being located in Barcelona?
currently unable to meet. One of these is in the aerospace a clear plan. Finally, when you are young and
sector. We have observed for many years that there could I am not the only one that think that thinks there is don’t have a lot of money to lose, you may not
be an impending threat in terms of interception and a plus to being located here- everyone is happy to want to take the risk. This is a “virus” that you
intrusion from the quantum computer. This may still be come to Barcelona! When we have kick-off meetings either have or you don’t. I have had this virus my
years away, but with regard to new constellations, some to start projects with clients from Egypt, Denmark, whole life. I started putting things together and
with dual military and civilian uses, there are many links Norway…, we offer to go to their offices but they prefer selling them from home when I was 14 years old!
Science Quiz 1. When was entanglement first
described ?
3. When was discord first described ?
A) 2001 (A space odyssey)
Quantum discord measures the extra information that A) 1905
B) 2010 (The year we make contact)
Alice’s state gives about Bob’s state, beyond what
B) 1935
classical physics allows. There are states with discord C) 2061 (Odyssey three)
that are not entangled, so this is non-classicality beyond C) 1964
entanglement. Calculating discord is a NP-complete
problem, so approximate measures are useful. The below 4. Who was the first ICFOnian to
article relates two approximate discord measures. 2. What is the “N” in NP ? publish about discord?
“Equivalence regimes for geometric quantum discord A) Not A) L. Aolita
and local quantum uncertainty”, O. Cordero, A. Villegas,
B) Numerical B) D. Cavalcanti
J-R Alvarez, R. de J. León-Montiel, M. H. M. Passos,
and J. P. Torres, Phys. Rev. A, 104, 042401 (2021) C) Nondeterministic C) A. Streltsov
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