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PHI Lab
Physics & Informatics Laboratories
Nonlinear optics interfaces quantum physics and neuro-science to build a new computer
PHI Lab’s mission is to find a simple, practical and sustainable solution for real-world problems.
We exist to rethink “computation” within the fundamental principles of quantum physics and brain science while developing hardware and software simultaneously. NTT’s long-standing tradition of supporting basic research delivers breakthroughs in a real world context. We foster an environment for physicists, computer scientists, brain scientists and electrical engineers whose collaboration will usher in a new era of computation framework.
We are here to uncover fundamental principles and novel technologies that advance our information processing beyond state of the art. We explore the interdisciplinary space between quantum information science and neuroscience using optical technologies. We’ll welcome renowned researchers with bold ideas and provide them the space, time and resources they need to pursue their dreams.
Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Director, PHI Lab
PHI Lab Video Library
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Robert Byer, Distinguished Scientist, PHI Lab
Dr. Byer was at Stanford when the first tunable lasers were created. Today he splits his time between Stanford and NTT Research, where he is still hard at work on technologies that are no less groundbreaking, including the Coherent Ising Machine and thin-film lithium niobate advancements that could allow photonics to make computers a thousand times faster.
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Timothee Leleu, Senior Research Scientist, PHI Lab
Timothee Leleu is not content to wait for the development of the perfect quantum computer to solve the world’s hard problems. His work focuses on a realistic approach to quantum computing that starts with the physical properties of existing devices, accounts for their environment, and creates models of quantum computing. In turn, he uses those models to run algorithms that can tackle some of those hard problems today.
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Tim McKenna, Principal Scientist, PHI Lab
There are many mathematical and scientific problems that are simply too time and energy intensive to solve given the current technological state of the art. Tim believes that photonic integrated circuits, which replace electricity with laser light passed through discrete structures on computer chips, could provide the means to solve those intractable problems.
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Tatsuhiro Onodera, Research Scientist, PHI Lab
Tatsuhiro works with optical systems, with the aim of exploiting the advantages that photonics affords in computing efficiency versus standard electronics. For example, photonics is not confined to a planar 2D environment, allowing for greater connectivity. And some photonic systems can be physical neural networks (a lens, for example) and do not consume energy in to function. Optical systems have tremendous potential to improve the future of computing.
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Thibault Chervy, Research Scientist, PHI Lab
Thibault’s goal is a seemingly impossible task: he wants to create materials made entirely of light. His research shows this is not only feasible, but that the atoms in light can actually be controlled so their emergent behaviors produce the desired results. As we are currently reaching the limits of what is possible with electronics, Thibault’s work explores the role of optics and light in future technologies.
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Edwin Ng, Research Scientist, PHI Lab
Imagine one day doing with light and photons what today is accomplished with transistors and electrons. That’s the idea behind Edwin’s research in photonics. Photonics-based computing could simultaneously increase bandwidth, reduce energy consumption, and, as Edward points out, emulate the function of the human brain.
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Myoung-Gyun Suh, Research Scientist, PHI Lab
Myoung-Gyun explains the importance of precision in optics and how it has led to technologies like GPS and gravity-wave detection. His continued work in the field of optics can impact the future of next generation computing and more efficient energy consumption.
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Jess Riedel, Senior Research Scientist, PHI LAB
Jess’s work at NTT Research centers on the physical foundations of information processing and the theory of decoherence. Their understanding is crucial to the development of a quantum computer.
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Michael Fraser, Senior Research Scientist, PHI Lab
Michael speaks about how his interest in physics from an early age brought him to NTT Research, where he has the freedom to apply fundamental physics to create exotic
states of matter.
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Hidenori Tanaka, Research Scientist, PHI Lab
Hidenori’s focus is to bridge the gap between quantum physics, brain science and optical engineering. Understanding how the brain operates can translate into deeper understanding of quantum and classical computing.
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Marc Jankowski, Research Scientist, PHI Lab
Marc explains his work on nonlinear optics and the promising applications it has in the field of computing, which could give the world a lead into developing new medicines, chemicals and materials.
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Satoshi Kako, Deputy Director, Senior Research Scientist, PHI LAB
Satoshi explains how his interest in a Coherent Ising Machine brought him to NTT Research. His research includes the ‘Cyber CIM,’ which models the CIM onto a silicon chip using quantum mechanics, thereby freeing it from physical restrictions.
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Ryan Hamerly, Senior Research Scientist, PHI Lab
As Group Head of the Hardware and Devices Group, Ryan’s focus is on improving computing efficiency by utilizing optics and photonics rather than electronics for complex operations such as deep learning, machine learning and optimization.
