Optica Quantum 2.0 Conference and Exhibition
Events
Optica Quantum 2.0 Conference and Exhibition
15 – 18 June 2026 | Glasgow, Scotland, UK
The Optica Quantum 2.0 Conference and Exhibition brings together the global community driving the next era of quantum technology. Quantum 2.0 harnesses superposition and entanglement in large-scale systems—such as quantum computers, networks and sensors—that move beyond the single-system capabilities of Quantum 1.0.
The program spans quantum computing, communications, devices, sensing, and metrology, alongside discussions of the ecosystem, commercialization and societal impact. Attendees will explore cutting-edge research, emerging applications and the opportunities shaping a quantum-enabled future.
Topic Categories
SC1 - Quantum Computing from Fundamentals to Systems
- Atomic qubits (neutrals and ions)
- Spin and charge qubits in solid-state systems
- Optical quantum dot qubits defined by impurities or other defects
- Superconducting quantum circuitry
- Optical- and microwave-controlled qubits
- Optomechanical quantum systems
- All-Optical quantum processing systems
- Novel platforms and materials
- Hybrid quantum/classical architectures
- Quantum simulations
- Quantum algorithms, software, and error correction
- Validation
- Applications of quantum computing to scientific frontiers
SC2 – Quantum Networking and Communications
- Quantum internet
- Quantum repeaters
- Quantum networking testbed demonstrations
- Quantum key distribution
- Quantum networking stack software (control systems)
- New applications of quantum networks: e.g., quantum astrometry, quantum network sensing and distributed quantum computing
- Free-Space entanglement distribution
- Deep space communication
SC3 - Quantum Networking Devices
- Discrete quantum light (single- and multi-photon) sources
- Continuous-variable quantum optical sources
- Discrete and continuous-variable optical detectors
- Spin-photon interfaces
- Quantum optical memory
- Qubit transduction and interconversion
- Photonic quantum frequency conversion
- Quantum photon-device impedance matching
- Optical frequency combs
- Enabling technologies - Lasers, Optics, Integrated Photonics and Interconnects
- Integrated photonic quantum devices
- Network phase stabilization
SC4 - Quantum Sensors, Metrology and New Scientific Horizons
- Applications of QIST in high-energy physics
- Applications of QIST in biology
- Matter-Based quantum-enhanced sensors: e.g., magnetic and electric field sensors, gravimeters, accelerometers and clocks
- Light-Based sensors: e.g., quantum-enhanced imaging, spectroscopy and ranging
- New sensing protocols
- Quantum enhanced measurements (clocks and geodesy, gravitational waves, VLBI)
- Foundational theory of quantum detection & measurement
SC5 - Quantum Ecosystems - Show Floor Programming Only
- Applications of QIST in finance and industry
- Venture capital in QIST
- QIST startups highlights
- QIST supply chain
- Industry-academia partnerships
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Committee Members
Program Committee
Hugues de Riedmatten, ICFO - Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, Spain, Chair
Christopher Eichler, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, Chair
Eden Figueroa, SUNY Stony Brook University, USA, Chair
Heike Riel, IBM Zurich, Switzerland, Chair
Brian Smith, University of Oregon, USA, Chair
Subcommittees
Quantum Computing from Fundamentals to Systems
Martin Weides, University of Glasgow, UK, Subcommittee Chair
Yvonne Gao, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Jameson O'Reilly, University of Oregon, USA
Martin Ringbauer, Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, Austria
Johannes Zeiher, Max-Planck-Institut fur Quantenoptik, Germany
Quantum Networking and Communications
Janik Wolters, DLR – Wessling, Germany, Subcommittee Chair
Mikael Afzelius, Universite de Geneve, Switzerland
Charles Lim, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Joseph Lukens, Purdue University, USA
Daniel Oi, University of Strathclyde, UK
Hiroki Takesue, NTT Basic Research Laboratories, Japan
Giuseppe Vallone, Universita degli Studi di Padova, Italy
Qiang Zhang, Univresity of Science and Technology of China, China
Quantum Networking Devices
Virginia Lorenz, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA, Subcommittee Chair
Ben Dixon, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, USA
Fumihiro Kaneda, Tohoku University, Japan
Mehul Malik, Heriot-Watt University, UK
Margherita Mazzera, Heriot-Watt University, UK
Andrei Militaru, Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Austria
Peter Mosley, University of Bath, UK
Ruth Oulton, University of Bristol, UK
Katyayani Seal, Single Quantum B.V., USA
Alexander Senichev, University of Maryland Baltimore County, USA
Quantum Sensors, Metrology and New Scientific Horizons
Sven Ramelow, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany, Subcommittee Chair
Hugo Defienne, Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, UK
Murray Holland, University of Colorado at Boulder JILA, USA
Emma Pearce, University of Glasgow, UK
Johann Riemensberger, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway
Kevin Weatherill, Durham University, UK
Quantum Ecosystems - Show Floor Programming Only
Eva Tomic, European Quantum Industry Consortium e.V, Germany, Subcommittee Chair
David Lang, Optica, USA
Jonathan Legh-Smith, UKQuantum, UK
Alison McLeod, Technology Scotland, UK
Douglas Paul, University of Glasgow, UK
Jonathan Pugh, Optica, UK
Past Chairs
Ronald Holzwarth, Menlo Systems GmbH, Germany
Christopher Monroe, Duke University, USA
Michael Raymer, University of Oregon, USA
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Keynote Speakers
Ronald Hanson
QuTech, NETHERLANDS
Diamond-Based Quantum Networks: From Metropolitan-Scale Demonstrations to a Quantum Internet
This talk will present our ongoing work and future prospects on diamond-based quantum networks. I will first discuss the state of the art, including metropolitan-scale entanglement distribution between qubit chips over deployed fiber and a rudimentary network operating system. I will then discuss the exciting new prospects for scaling these technologies using a novel qubit platform and integrated photonics and show the latest results in this direction.
About the Speaker
Ronald Hanson (1976) is Distinguished Professor at Delft University of Technology and CEO of Delft Networks. He was one of the four founding professors of the interdisciplinary quantum institute QuTech (2014), serving as its Scientific Director in 2016-2020. Ronald was a main driving force in establishing the 7-year, 615MEuro Dutch program Quantum Delta NL, leading the team in the run-up phase and serving as the first chairman of its Executive Board (2021-2023). In 2024 he co-founded Delft Networks to commercialize the university R&D on quantum networks.
Ronald’s academic research focused on developing the fundamentals of a future quantum internet on the road towards large-scale deployment. His work combines quantum optics, solid-state physics, nuclear magnetic resonance, quantum information theory and nanofabrication. Key results from his academic group include teleportation of quantum data between distant chips (2014), the first loophole-free Bell test (2015), the first multi-node entanglement-based quantum network in the lab (2021) and heralded entanglement generation between chips separated by 10km via 25km of deployed optical fiber (2024).
Ronald has received several awards for his work, including the Nicholas Kurti European Science Prize (2012), the John Stewart Bell Prize (2017) and the Physica Prize (2022). In 2019 he received the Spinoza Prize, the highest scientific award in the Netherlands. He is member of the Dutch Royal Academy of Sciences and Fellow of the American Physical Society. In 2020 he was appointed as the university’s 6th Distinguished Professor.
David Lucas
University of Oxford, UNITED KINGDOM
Distributed Quantum Computing Using A Trapped-Ion Quantum Network
In this talk, I will give an introduction to the ideas of quantum networking using trapped ions and describe experimental progress in the Oxford group. Our elementary two-node setup combines "network" qubits, which can be remotely entangled via an optical fibre link, with long-lived memory qubits. Recent work includes demonstrations of distributed gates and algorithms and the generation of multi-particle entangled states, over the network link.
About the Speaker
Professor David Lucas is an experimental atomic physicist at Oxford whose research focuses on trapped‐ion quantum computing. He leads a group working on precision control, coherence, and error reduction in ion trap qubits, pushing toward fault-tolerant quantum logic. Recently his team set a new global benchmark for single-qubit gate fidelity — achieving an error rate of just 0.000015% (one in 6.7 million) — and has demonstrated distributed quantum computation by linking remote ion processors via photonic interfaces.
Andrew Shields
Toshiba Europe, UNITED KINGDOM
Building Quantum‑Safe Networks for a Post‑Quantum World
Quantum computing is advancing at an unprecedented pace, challenging the foundations of security that underpin today’s communication networks. In this talk, we explore how the industry is responding—integrating quantum‑safe technologies such as quantum key distribution, alongside quantum‑resistant algorithms, into commercial metro and national networks. We look beyond today’s deployments to consider what it will take to realise a truly global infrastructure for secure communications and computing in the quantum era.
About the Speaker
Andrew Shields (Vice President, Toshiba Europe Ltd) leads the quantum technology business in Toshiba, which is commercialising solutions for quantum safe communications. Previously he led R&D in Toshiba on quantum technology, publishing over 500 research papers and patents, mainly on quantum photonics and its applications. He was a co-founder of the Industry Specification Group for QKD at ETSI and served as Chair for several years. He is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and has been awarded the Mott (2013) and Katharine Burr Blodgett (2022) Medals by the Institute of Physics and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in May 2026.
Seigo Tarucha
Riken, JAPAN
Improved Performance of Spin-Based Quantum Computing Devices in Silicon
Semiconductor-based QC has rapidly attracted increasing interest. Despite emerging several years later than other hardware platforms, it offers compelling advantages, including the small footprint of qubit devices and fabrication processes compatible with standard CMOS technology. This trend is particularly prominent for silicon spin qubits in quantum dots.
Key challenges toward practical spin-qubit processors include fault-tolerant qubit operation, quantum error correction and scalable qubit architectures. Notably, recent progress in qubit control has enabled single- and two-qubit gate fidelities that exceed commonly discussed fault-tolerance thresholds. Nevertheless, scaling up qubit devices remains one of the central challenges across all quantum computing platforms. For silicon-based approaches, advanced industrial fabrication technologies provide a promising route to accelerate the development of large-scale architectures.
In this talk, I will first review recent advances in improving performance in qubit control fidelities and discuss the dominant error mechanisms that currently limit qubit performance. I will then highlight recent efforts toward scalable device geometries and integration strategies for silicon spin-qubit processors.
About the Speaker
Seigo Tarucha received the B.E. and M.S. degrees in applied physics from the University of Tokyo in 1976 and 1978, respectively. He joined the NTT Basic Research program in applied physics at the University of Tokyo in 1986. In 1998, he moved to the University of Tokyo as a professor in the Department of Physics and then to the Department of Applied Physics in 2005. In March of 2019, he retired from the University of Tokyo, and since then, he has been fully affiliated with the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS). He has been running a Quantum Functional System Research Group in CEMS since 2013 and also a Semiconductor Quantum Information Device Research Team in RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing (RQC) since 2019. He was a guest scientist at the Max-Planck-Institute (Stuttgart) in 1986 and 1987 and at TU Delft in 1995. He is currently working on the physics and technology of spin-based quantum computing and topological quantum computing. He received the Japan IBM award in 1998, the Kubo Ryogo award, the Quantum Devices award in 1998, the Nishina award in 2002, the National medal with purple ribbon in 2004, the Leo Esaki Award in 2007, the Achievement award of Japan Applied Physics Society in 2018 and the Fujiwara Award in 2023. He is a fellow of the Japan Applied Physics Society and the IOP.
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Tutorial Speakers
Benjamin Brecht
Spectral Engineering of Pulsed Quantum Light and Its Applications
Temporal modes of optical quantum pulses are a promising ressource for photonic quantum technologies. I will introduce the underlying mechanisms, discuss means for tailoring the temporal-mode structure of states and processes, and highlight recent applications.
About the Speaker
Dr. Benjamin Brecht received his doctorate from Paderborn University in 2014 for the development of the so-called quantum pulse gate. In 2015, he joined the Ultrafast Quantum Optics group of Prof Ian A. Walmley at the University of Oxford, where he worked on broadband quantum memories. He is one of the co-inventors of the ORCA memory. He returned to Paderborn University in 2018 to take on the role of group leader of the Quantum Networks Group in the Integrated Quantum Optics group led by Prof Christine Silberhorn. His current research covers the generation, manipulation, and application of pulsed broadband quantum light in quantum metrology and spectroscopy, communications and computing.
Abram Falk
Prospects for Networking Superconducting Quantum Computers Over Optical Channels
A promising quantum computing architecture comprises modules of superconducting quantum processors linked via quantum transducers over optical channels. I will discuss how transducers entangle microwave and optical photons and their prospectives for quantum networking.
About the Speaker
Abram Falk is a research scientist at IBM Quantum where he studies quantum computing and quantum networking. Prior to that he received his Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University and was the Elings Prize Postdoctoral Fellow in Experimental Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His work has focused on methods of enhancing light-matter interactions in condensed matter systems, particularly group-IV structures like carbon nanotubes, SiC and SiGe. These sorts of enhanced light-matter interactions are key to the scaling of quantum computing beyond a single cryogenic environment.
Roland Nagy
From Quantum Physics to the Clinic: The Future of Biosensing
Over the last decade, diamond NV centers have revolutionized sensing by detecting NMR, temperature, and electric fields. These multimodal capabilities now drive medical applications, offering advantages in monitoring free radicals, pH, and nerve currents. This tutorial provides an overview of key findings in this emerging biomedical field.
About the Speaker
Dr. Nagy is a Full Professor and Head of the Institute for Applied Quantum Technologies at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg. After studying at FAU, he earned his PhD in color center quantum technologies at the University of Stuttgart (Prof. Wrachtrup, 2019). Following a role as a Quantum Technology Expert at Carl Zeiss AG, he returned to FAU as an Assistant Professor in 2020. Since 2023, he holds his current chair, focusing on NV-based sensing in medical applications.
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Invited Speakers
Optica Quantum 2.0 Conference and Exhibition
- Ronald Hanson, QuTech, Netherlands
Diamond-Based Quantum Networks: From Metropolitan-Scale Demonstrations to a Quantum Internet Keynote - David Lucas, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Distributed Quantum Computing Using A Trapped-Ion Quantum Network Keynote - Andrew Shields, Toshiba Europe - Quantum Technology, United Kingdom
Building Quantum‑Safe Networks for a Post‑Quantum World Keynote - Seigo Tarucha, RIKEN, Japan
Improved Performance of Spin-based Quantum Computing Devices in Silicon Keynote - Benjamin Brecht, Universität Paderborn, Germany
Spectral Engineering of Pulsed Quantum Light and Its Applications Tutorial - Abram Falk, International Business Machines Corp, United States
Prospects for Networking Superconducting Quantum Computers Over Optical Channels Tutorial - Roland Nagy, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
From Quantum Physics to the Clinic: The Future of Biosensing Tutorial - Mete Atature, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
A Many-body Nuclear Spin Quantum Register - Alex Clark, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
Interfacing Single Molecule Photon Sources with Atomic Quantum Memories - Jacob Covey, Univ of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
Title to be Announced - Eleni Diamanti, CNRS, France
Cryptographic Applications of Advanced Quantum Networks - Stefan Filipp, Technische Universität Munchen, Germany
Efficient Entanglement Generation in Superconducting Qubit Systems - Elisabeth Giacobino, CNRS, France
Calassical Entanglement, An Experimental Point of View - David Hunger, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Germany
Optically Addressable Molecular Spins for Quantum Information Applications - Misha Ivanov, MBI, Germany
Attosecond Quantum Optics - Thomas Jennewein, University of Waterloo, Canada
Quantum Networks for the upcoming QEYSSat Satellite - Andrew Jordan, Chapman University,
Creating and Sustaining Entanglement of Distant Emitters by Continuously Monitoring Their Joint Spontaneous Emission - Elham Kashefi, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Title to be Announced - Peter Knight, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Title to be Announced - Prem Kumar, Northwestern University, United States
Control and Management of Quantum Networks via Blended Classical Optical Signaling - Julien Laurat, Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, France
Optically Wiring Quantum Modules for Scale - Gerd Leuchs, Max-Planck-Inst Physik des Lichts, Germany
An Operational Distinction Between Classical Inseparability and Quantum Entanglement - Peter Lodahl, Sparrow Quantum, Denmark
Deterministic Spin-photon Entanglement Sources for Scalable Photonic Quantum Computing - Irina Novikova, College of William & Mary, United States
Using Quantum Atomic Sensors for Charged Particle Detection - Valentina Parigi, Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, France
Continuous Variable Optical Resources for Quantum Reservoir Computing - Albert Schliesser, Kobenhavns Universitet, Denmark
Ultralow-loss Mechanical Resonators and Waveguides for Quantum and Classical Sensing - Lynden Shalm, National Inst of Standards & Technology, United States
Quantum Networks for Verifying Position - Birgit Stiller, Uni Hannover,
Waveguide Optoacoustics for Quantum Information Processing - Aziza Suleymanzade, University of California Berkeley,
Heterogeneous Platforms with Neutral Atoms, Nanophotonics, and Superconducting Circuits - Sarah Thomas, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Multimode Telecom Quantum Memories - Zong-Quan Zhou, Key Lab of Quantum Information, CAS, China
Metropolitan-scale Multiplexed Quantum Repeaters: Bell Non-locality and Applications
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Special Events and Programs
Joint Welcome Reception
Monday, 15 June 18:00 - 19:00
Hall 1, SEC
Join us as the Optica Quantum 2.0 Conference and the Optica Quantum Industry Summit come together for a lively evening of drinks, light bites and connections to kick off an exciting week of collaboration and breakthrough ideas.
Conference Reception
Tuesday, 16 June 18:00 - 19:30
Exhibit Hall 2
Enjoy food and drinks with your colleagues during the conference reception. Admission to the reception is included with a Full Technical Registration. Additional guest tickets may be purchased for GBP 56.
Optica Networking Event at Quantum 2.0
Wednesday, 17 June 16:00 - 17:00
Optica Booth
Join us at the Optica booth #306 on 17 June from 16:00–17:00 for an informal networking reception with fellow Quantum 2.0 attendees. Connect with researchers, industry leaders, and innovators shaping the future of quantum technologies while expanding your professional network.
Optica Quantum Computing and Sensing Technical Groups Networking Event
Wednesday, 17 June 18:30 - 19:30
The Mezzanine
Optica members: Join the networking evening hosted by the Optica Quantum Computing and Sensing Technical Groups. There will be refreshments, the opportunity to form new connections, and have discussions on quantum photonics research and industry. Optica Members Only.
Pub Crawl
Wednesday, 17 June 19:00 - 21:00
Join us for a guided pub crawl through the city, led by local experts and designed for an easy, social evening. Guides will meet attendees at the SEC and all pubs are located within walking distance. Guests will enjoy a tasting at each stop, with the experience concluding at the final pub with a half pint to wrap up the evening.
Tickets can be purchased when registering for the meeting for GBP 80.
Joe Eberly Memorial Session
Thursday, 18 June 10:00 - 12:30
Joseph Eberly (1935 - 2025) was a pioneer in quantum optics from the time the field started throughout the first 50 years of its development. He was a mentor and teacher to generations of physicists, whom he inspired and motivated, experimentalists and theorists alike, who fondly remember their times with him. This memorial session brings together a group of them to share their recent research and reflect on the enduring legacy of Joe Eberly’s work.
Organizers
Mike Raymer
University of Oregon, UNITED STATES
Nicholas Bigelow
University of Rochester, UNITED STATES
Speakers
Misha Ivanov
Max Born Institute, GERMANY
Attosecond Quantum Optics
Andrew Jordan
Chapman University, UNITED STATES
Creating and Sustaining Entanglement of Distant Emitters by Continuously Monitoring Their Joint Spontaneous Emission
Peter Knight
Imperial College London, UNITED KINGDOM
Joe Eberly’s Collapses and Revivals
Gerd Leuchs
Max-Planck-Inst Physik des Lichts, GERMANY
An Operational Distinction Between Classical Inseparability and Quantum Entanglement
Elisabeth Giacobino
Laboraroire Kastler Brossel, Sorbonne Université, FRANCE
Classical Entanglement, An Experimental Point of View
Optica Publishing Group Meet the Journal Editors
Thursday, 18 June 14:00 - 15:00
Optica Booth
Join Optica Publishing Group’s journal editors for informal discussion over snacks! Bring your questions about understanding acceptance criteria, responding to reviewers, becoming a reviewer and more. All attendees are welcome.
Closing Toast
Thursday, 18 June 18:00 - 19:00
Hall 1
Wrap up Quantum 2.0 with light refreshments and conversation as attendees gather one last time to connect and reflect on the week’s discussions and discoveries.
University of Glasgow Lab Tour
Friday, 19 June 09:00 - 14:00
University of Glasgow
Join us for a tour at the University of Glasgow from 09:00–14:00, featuring visits to the following labs:
James Watt Nanofabrication Centre
ANALOGUE Packaging Lab
Quantum Optics Lab
Quantum Circuits Lab
Quantum Sensors Lab
Semiconductor Devices Lab
Participants will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at current research and facilities, with time for questions and discussion. Lunch will be provided.
An RSVP fee of GBP 10 can be purchased at registration.
