On a recent afternoon, Joris Barrat was in his lab at Westlake University, standing at a rectangular optical table with his eyes fixed on the computer screen in front of him. On the screen were microscopic images captured from one of his optics experiments, and he was deeply absorbed in examining their intricate details.  

“What we are trying to do is to characterize the physical properties of polariton ring condensates,” explained the 27-year-old doctoral student, pointing to the images on the screen. “We hope to demonstrate that these polariton ring condensates could potentially be used as quantum bits (qubits) in quantum computers.”

Joris, who hails from France, is one of the first international Ph.D. students in the School of Science, where he is part of the Quantum Optoelectronics Group led by Prof. Pavlos Savvidis, a leading scientist in Condensed Matter research.

(Photo Caption: Joris with Prof. Savvidis)

The group has been focused on developing a new type of qubit that is much easier to control, characterize and manufacture than existing superconducting qubits, and that could work at room temperature. 

“Right now, the existing super-conducting qubits are difficult to control and make, and it is not easy to scale the number of these qubits. Maybe they are not the right platform for quantum computers,” Joris said. “We hope our research can offer a different way to create qubits and open up new possibilities in the field of quantum computing.” 

Now in his second year as a doctoral student at Westlake, Joris has fully embraced his research life, collaborating with his fellow researchers from diverse cultural backgrounds, developing optics experiments, and designing and implementing spatial light modulator-based systems, among other research activities. 

“The resources for conducting research and the opportunity to work with world-class faculty in your field of study here are truly impressive. In that, it was definitely worth quitting my job in France and joining Westlake in China,” he said. 

After completing his master’s in optics and microwaves from Montpellier University in the south of France, Joris worked as an engineer for a laser company. While he appreciated his job, after working for a year, he decided to quit and return to academia. 

“Working as an engineer, I realized I was not learning what I wanted to learn. I wanted to do scientific research in a high-quality environment, improve my knowledge of fundamental physics and develop something new,” he said.

Motivated by this desire for learning and research, he applied to Westlake. A major factor that drew him to the university was the opportunity it offered to conduct research in a world-class optics lab with leading faculty.

“A year before enrolling as a student at Westlake, I had the chance to visit the university, tour its research facilities, and speak with some of its researchers firsthand. I was amazed by how, despite being a newer institution, the university had attracted top talents from around the world, and was pursuing cutting-edge research and driving innovation,” he shared. 

Joris describes his time at Westlake so far as an enriching experience, adding that working under the mentorship of Prof. Savvidis has taught him a great deal of technical skills and scientific knowledge and helped him make significant progress on his research project.

In addition to focusing on his research, he has also made time to explore China, immerse himself in the local culture, and enjoy the natural beauty of Hangzhou by going on hikes.

“As a Westlake researcher, you have the possibility to do high-quality research in a similar international working environment that you will find in other top universities. And yet, in your personal life, you can experience a new culture, a new way of life. I feel that’s what makes Westlake unique.”