About

Universal Quantum Devices is here to help the quantum optics community grow by providing versatile and robust electronics for time-tagging and coincidence counting measurements. Our products are designed with state-of-the-art quantum optics research in mind and quality control is ensured with final inspection of each unit by CEO Dr. Thomas Jennewein. All product assembly and testing is done locally.

UQDevices operates out of Waterloo, ON. The Waterloo region is a Canadian tech hub, home to the Accelerator Centre, Communitech, and the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC). UQDevices is proudly affiliated with each of these organizations.

Our products are driven and inspired by the cutting edge research and development that will lead to quantum technologies of the future. If you have a need, a suggestion or any questions, we are more than happy to hear from you! Feel free to [contact].

History

Having first-hand experience with discrete electronics, logic gates, DIY-FPGA solutions, TACs and TDCs, Dr. Thomas Jennewein knew a better solution could be made for the research pains he was experiencing in-lab. Fortunately, his own electronic and software expertise partnered with engineering support from consultant DotFAST, made it possible to create this solution – now known as the Logic16 unit. Soon after, fellow researchers began to make inquiries. Jennewein realized that the community could benefit from Logic16 and made this possible by founding UQDevices in 2012 with co-founders Steve MacDonald (COO) and Dr. Raymond Laflamme (CSO).

Background in Electronics

Throughout his career in experimental quantum optics, Jennewein has designed and built various circuits to analyze time and correlation signals and operate photon detectors. In particular, the electronics for coincidence logic have been an important area of focus for his developmental work since 1995. Jennewein has created several designs for such logic, which predate the Logic16. These range from high-speed TTL and ECL, and even discrete transistors, to later and more sophisticated CPLD-based logic synchronized by a pulsed pump laser.

In detail, a list of his development expertise includes:

  • single-photon detectors, such as avalanche photo-diodes (Geiger mode) and photo-multiplier tubes
  • electronics for operating APD in Geiger mode, both active quenching and passive quenching
  • high-speed coincidence and gating electronics
  • thermal control circuits, in particular thermo-electric cooler
  • quantum sources for quantum communications
  • weak-coherent pulse quantum sources based on integrated optical modulators
  • quantum random number generators
  • photo-diode circuitry (non Geiger-mode)
  • programmable logic (CPLD based) experiment control: examples include digital signal delay, Pockels-cell sequence driver, pseudo-random signal generator, photon detector gating.