Specializes in quantum information and hybrid quantum systems. Directions: (1) superconducting qubit quantum computing and error correction; (2) hybrid quantum systems coupling superconducting qubits to mechanical resonators, spin systems, and optical photons; (3) quantum-limited microwave amplification; (4) co-PI DARPA QuSeN — quantum sensing of neutrinos via phonon-coupled SC qubit sensors (2025). Director Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility (PNF). AAAS and APS Fellow.

Quantum information theorist with strong focus on quantum sensing. Directions: (1) error-correction-enhanced quantum sensing protocols surpassing Heisenberg limit; (2) quantum transduction theory for microwave-optical interfaces; (3) global-scale quantum network architecture; (4) room-temperature NV-based nanoscale magnetometry theory; (5) sub-wavelength quantum imaging protocols. Works closely with experimental quantum sensing groups at UChicago and beyond.

Prof. Kumar's group spans classical and quantum optics across three inter-related areas: (1) Quantum Fiber Optics — generation and distribution of entanglement (photon-pair, multi-photon) over fiber networks, quantum key distribution, and first-ever quantum teleportation over active internet-carrying fiber; (2) Nonlinear Quantum Optics — squeezed light and twin-beam (two-mode squeezed) state generation via fiber-based four-wave mixing and χ⁽²⁾ processes, with applications to sub-shot-noise interferometry, quantum-enhanced imaging, and quantum communication; (3) Photon-entanglement-enhanced precision measurement and optical communications. AT&T Professor of Information Technology; INQUIRE Executive Committee member.

Laurat leads the Quantum Networks team at LKB, developing quantum memories and atom-photon interfaces for quantum network applications. Research directions: (1) High-efficiency cold-atom quantum memories — DLCZ-protocol and AFC memories for telecom photons; demonstrating >90% efficiency and multimode operation; quantum cryptography integrating optical quantum memory (arXiv Mar 2025); (2) Waveguide QED — cold atoms coupled to nanofibers and nanophotonic waveguides for super-radiance, photon-bound states, and atom-photon gates; (3) Quantum network protocols — entanglement distribution, quantum repeater segments; part of European Quantum Flagship 'Quantum Internet Alliance'; (4) Hybrid entanglement — continuous-variable and discrete-variable hybrid entanglement for CHSH Bell tests (PRA 2024). Senior IUF member.

Malaney works on quantum communications with an emphasis on the satellite channel: continuous- and discrete-variable QKD through atmospheric turbulence, entanglement distribution from space, and the use of Gaussian and squeezed states as the carriers. A distinct thread is quantum-enhanced sensing and localisation — quantum illumination and quantum radar — where entangled probe states are used to detect weakly-reflecting targets in noisy backgrounds. Positioned against the established body of NV-ensemble quantum sensing work — DEER, nanoscale NMR and T1 relaxometry protocols operating at pT/sqrt(Hz) field sensitivity — his work belongs to the nonclassical-light arm of the search: it addresses whether squeezing and entanglement can be preserved through a lossy channel well enough to deliver a real metrological advantage, which is the practical question that determines whether quantum-enhanced sensing can ever beat a well-engineered shot-noise-limited pT/sqrt(Hz) device. Largely theory/simulation with some experimental collaboration.

Develops rare-earth-ion-doped crystal platforms for quantum internet hardware. Directions: (1) Er3+-doped crystal quantum memories with >1 ms coherence time in nanophotonic waveguides; (2) microwave-to-optical quantum transduction using Er spins coupled to superconducting resonators; (3) photon-number-resolving detectors for quantum communication; (4) integrated rare-earth nanophotonic circuits on thin-film LiNbO3. Key goal: scalable room-temperature-compatible quantum repeater nodes.