Quantum Mechanics in the Single Photon Laboratory

by Muhammad Hamza Waseem, Faizan-E-Ilahi, Muhammad Sabieh Anwar

Arising from a series of laboratory class experiments developed by the authors, this book provides an overview of fundamental experiments that can be used to practically demonstrate the underlying principles of quantum physics and quantum information science. Designed with multiple readerships in mind, it will be essential for the professor who would like to recreate a similar suite of experiments for their students as well as students of physics, who would like to learn how such experiments are conducted. Computer scientists, photonics engineers and electrical engineers who would like to foray into quantum technologies would also find this narrative useful to learn about the terminology, key postulates of quantum physics, the collapse of states on measurement and how quantum computers could be implemented.

Key Features



Accompanied by downloadable code and data from real experiments for readers to manipulate, plot and compute expectation values, errors and density matrices. Includes worked examples demonstrating basic calculations on computing probabilities from projective measurements, effect of unitary operators on states, computing density matrices, and expectation values, fidelities and purities. Features end-of-chapter problems Incorporates overviews and learning objectives for each chapter Essential reading for students of quantum physics and modern optics

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2020

About the author

Muhammad Hamza Waseem is a Research Scientist at Quantinuum. His current research focuses on quantum foundations, quantum science education, applied category theory, mathematical linguistics, and quantum natural language processing. Hamza recently defended his DPhil in Physics at the University of Oxford, which was funded by the Rhodes Trust and Magdalen College. His thesis explored applied process-relational philosophy and employed string diagrams to study interpretations of quantum theory, constructor theory, wave-based logic, quantum computing and natural language processing.

During his undergraduate studies in electrical engineering at UET Lahore, Hamza helped establish Pakistan's first laboratory for single-photon quantum physics. He also co-authored the book Quantum Mechanics in the Single-Photon Laboratory, published by the Institute of Physics (IOP), UK, now in its second edition.

Passionate about public engagement with science, Hamza has played a key role in organising the Lahore Science Mela, the largest annual science festival in Pakistan. He co-founded Spectra, an online magazine dedicated to training popular science writers in Pakistan. For his contributions to science popularisation, Hamza has been awarded the 2021 Diana Award, a High Commendation at the 2021 SEPnet Public Engagement Awards, and the 2024 MPLS Public Engagement with Research Impact Award.

At Oxford, Hamza teaches mathematics and physics at Magdalen College, the Mathematical Institute, and the Department of Computer Science. He has also served as a Lecturer in Physics at Magdalen College. Additionally, he is a Senior Research Fellow at the Global Centre for Advanced Studies in Dublin. He can be contacted at hamzawaseem813@gmail.com.

Reviews

[Muhammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it. The rating is from the time I finished writing it; 2020.

If I were to rate the book today, I would give it 3.5-4 stars.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read it. I suspect I wouldn't understand it if I did. But I admire the author's assessment of his work later. That suggests to me that individual interested in Quantum Mechanics would be well advised to read the book, with an eye balanced of skepticism and respect for what they read. What should they keep? What should they disregard? What is outdated? What is brilliantly full of foresight?

[Suhas Mahesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for all students (and professors teaching courses) of quantum mechanics and optics. Particularly excellent is the fact that the book comes with code to help readers engage with calculations on their own.