Woowon Kang

Professor of Physics
James Franck Institute
University of Chicago

In recent years my group has been pursuing research on fractional quantum Hall effect connected to topological quantum computation. Topological quantum computing is a fascinating interplay of topology, quantum field theory, physics of fractional quantum Hall effect, and theories of quantum computing.

The fractional quantum Hall effect is presently the most promising platform for a topological quantum computer among various candidate systems. The global topological protection afforded by fractional quantum Hall effect produces fault-tolerance in a topological quantum computer. A topological quantum computer consequently becomes immune against the effects of local quantum decoherence.

A fault-tolerant qubit can be constructed by taking advantage of the non-Abelian braiding statistics of elementary excitations (called anyons) which are thought to exist in certain, exotic fractional quantum Hall states. Experimental goals include detection and manipulations of the postulated non-Abelian anyons in quantum interferometers constructed from high quality semiconductor heterostructures.


Postdoc Opening

We have an opening for postdoc position in our group. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply.


Contact Information:
University of Chicago
929 East 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Tel: (773)702-5244
Fax: (773)702-4735
E-mail: wkang@uchicago.edu