Q&A with Jamal Mohammad Khan

What project are you working on?

I am currently working on developing ultra-low-noise lasers on photonic integrated chips. My research focuses on combining squeezed-light injection locking with hybrid integration of semiconductor lasers and silicon nitride resonators. This approach aims to create compact, scalable, and quantum-ready light sources for future technologies.

What problem(s) are you aiming to address through your research?

The main challenge I aim to address is the stability and noise performance of lasers used in quantum technologies. Today’s systems often rely on bulky and expensive external cavity lasers, which limit scalability. By creating chip-scale, noise-suppressed laser sources, my work seeks to overcome these limitations and enable practical applications in quantum computing, secure communications, and precision sensing.

What inspired you to pursue this program of study?

I have always been fascinated by the intersection of physics and technology, especially the way quantum mechanics can be harnessed to solve real-world problems. My industry experience as a photonics engineer exposed me to both the challenges and the enormous potential of integrated quantum photonics. This motivated me to pursue a PhD where I can contribute to pushing the boundaries of quantum light sources and help accelerate the transition of quantum technologies from the lab to impactful applications.