Quantum Algorithms and Applications

Exploring the frontiers of Quantum Computation

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Our Research Focus

Our group specializes in developing novel quantum algorithms and architectures for next-generation quantum computers. With a strong focus on the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) algorithm and optimization methods, we aim to bridge theoretical breakthroughs with practical applications. Our research explores innovative techniques to solve complex quantum problems and push the boundaries of quantum computation.

Energy-Optimization of NISQ Quantum Computers

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Latest Publications

Harmonic Oscillator Based Particle Swarm Optimization

Yury Chernyak, Ijaz Ahmed Mohammadi, Matej Pivoluska, Martin Plesch, Nikolas Masnicak

arXiv (2024)

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Meta-optimization of resources on quantum computers

Ijaz Ahmed Mohammad, Matej Pivoluska, Martin Plesch

Scientific Reports 14, Article number: 10312 (2024)

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Resource-efficient utilization of quantum computers

Ijaz Ahmed Mohammad, Matej Pivoluska, Martin Plesch

arXiv (2023)

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Self-testing quantum states via nonmaximal violation in Hardy's test of nonlocality

Ashutosh Rai, Matej Pivoluska, Souradeep Sasmal, Manik Banik, Sibasish Ghosh, Martin Plesch

Physical Review A 105, 052227 (2022)

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Implementation of quantum compression on IBM quantum computers

Matej Pivoluska, Martin Plesch

Scientific Reports 12, Article number: 5841 (2022)

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Best-Practice Aspects of Quantum-Computer Calculations: A Case Study of the Hydrogen Molecule

Ivana Miháliková, Martin Friák, Matej Pivoluska, Martin Plesch, Mojmir Šob

Molecules 27(3), 597 (2022)

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The Cost of Improving the Precision of the Variational Quantum Eigensolver for Quantum Chemistry

Ivana Miháliková, Matej Pivoluska, Martin Plesch, Martin Friák, Daniel Nagaj, Mojmir Šob

Nanomaterials 12(1), 243 (2022)

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Research Projects

Project Title

Principal Investigator: Name

Location: Institution

Status: Active/Completed

Project description goes here. Brief overview of the research goals, methodology, and expected outcomes.

Timeline: Start Date - End Date

Meet Our Team

Martin Plesch

Martin Plesch

Group Leader

Martin Plesch is a physicist specializing in complex physical systems and quantum information theory. He has held significant roles, including Head of the Department of Complex Physical Systems and Marie Curie Fellow. He is an independent researcher at the Slovak Academy of Sciences and a professor at Matej Bel University in Bratislava. With a PhD from the Institute of Physics Slovak Academy of Sciences, Prof. Plesch has held significant roles, including Head of the Department of Complex Physical Systems and Marie Curie Fellow at Masaryk University Brno. He has received numerous accolades for his research and educational contributions, including the Prize for Popularization of Science and the "Social Innovator" award. Prof. Plesch is also actively involved in international scientific committees and educational initiatives, serving as a President of the International Young Physicists' Tournament and the World Federation of Physics.

Research Interests

My research interests include quantum protocols, focusing on quantum random number generation. Recently, I have been interested in the application of small-scale quantum computers. I am also active in many popularization activities such as the International Young Physicist's Tournament or International Junior Science Olympiad. I am also helping to run the Dionýz Ilkovič foundation supporting gifted students and their teachers and tutor. I am running a blog as well (in Slovak).

Education/Professional History

  • 2010 – present: Masaryk University, Marie Curie Fellow, later collaborator, on ICS since 2017
  • 2001 – present: Institute of Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Head of the Department (since 2019)
  • 2014: Associated Professor title, Comenius University, Bratislava
  • 2012: Research stay at Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford
  • 2009 – 2010: University of Vienna, research stay
  • 2005: Ph.D. degree in Physics, Institute of Physics SAS, Bratislava
  • 2006 – present: International Young Physicists' Tournament, President since 2015

Matej Pivoluska

Matej Pivoluska

Senior Researcher

Matej Pivoluska is is a Senior Engineer at Quantum Technology Laboratories in Vienna, specializing in quantum optics, quantum cryptography, quantum information processing, and quantum computing. With a PhD in Informatics from Masaryk University, he has held various research positions, including at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Pivoluska has contributed extensively to high-dimensional quantum key distribution, quantum entanglement, and quantum computing, with over 30 published articles.

Research Interests

My research interests include quantum cryptography, especially quantum key distribution protocols with the use of high-dimensional quantum systems (qudits). Recently I have taken an interest in quantum computing with NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) hardware, especially in conjunction with practical algorithms with use in chemistry and condensed matter physics. My areas of interest include Quantum Key Distribution, Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Chemistry, and Quantum Optimization.

Education/Professional History

  • Feb 2021 – Sep 2021: Researcher at Austrian Academy of Sciences, IQOQI group of Dr. Rupert Ursin, Vienna, Austria
  • 2017 – present: Researcher at Institute of Computer Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
  • Oct 2016 – Oct 2017: PostDoc at Austrian Academy of Sciences, IQOQI group of Dr. Marcus Huber, Vienna, Austria
  • Oct 2016: Obtained SAIA stipend to join IQOQI group of Dr. Marcus Huber, Vienna, Austria
  • 2016 – present: Assistant researcher at Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • 2015 – Sep 2016: Assistant researcher at Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
  • 2010 – 2015: Ph.D. degree in Computer Science (Weak randomness in quantum cryptography), Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
  • 2012: Doctoral's degree (Rerum Naturalium Doctor) in Computer Science, Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
  • 2008 – 2010: Master's degree in Computer Science (Classical Cryptography), Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
  • 2005 – 2008: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science (Genetic Algorithms), Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic

Ijaz Ahmed Mohammad

Ijaz Ahmed Mohammad

Senior Researcher

Ijaz Ahmed Mohammad is a senior Physics PhD student specializing in quantum computation with a focus on resource-efficient optimization methods for quantum computing. He finished his B.S and M.S in Physics at Indian Institute of Science Educational Research (IISER), Mohali, India in 2021. He was an INSPIRE-SHE scholarship recipient from 2016-2018. He started his doctoral studies at the Institute of Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences in 2021. He has contributed two research articles in the field of quantum information and computation.

Research Interests

His research focuses on resource-efficient optimization methods for quantum computation, variational quantum eigensolver, and the application of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms.

Education/Professional History

  • 2021 – present: PhD studies, Slovak Academy of Sciences
  • 2016 – 2021: B.S and M.S in Physics, IISER Mohali, India
  • 2016 – 2018: INSPIRE-SHE Scholarship recipient

Yury Chernyak

Yury Chernyak

Researcher

Yury Chernyak received a B.A. degree in Mathematics and Physics at Hartwick College and an M.S. degree in Physics from SUNY University at Albany in 2022. He began his doctoral studies at the Institute of Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences in 2023, specializing in non-gradient optimization techniques applied to the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) algorithm.

Research Interests

His research interests include optimization methods for quantum computation, variational quantum Eigensolver and applications of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms.

Education/Professional History

  • 2023 – present: PhD studies, Slovak Academy of Sciences
  • 2020 - 2022: M.S. in Physics, SUNY University at Albany
  • 2018 – 2022: B.A. in Mathematics and Physics, Hartwick College

Nicolas Masnicak

Nicolas Masnicak

Researcher

Nikolas Masnicak received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in theoretical physics from Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, in 2022. He started his doctoral studies at the Institute of Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences in 2023, focusing on optimization algorithms and their applications in quantum computing.

Research Interests

His research interests include quantum optimization methods, theoretical physics, and computational models for quantum systems.

Education/Professional History

  • 2023 – present: PhD studies, Slovak Academy of Sciences
  • 2022: M.S. in Theoretical Physics, Masaryk University
  • 2020: B.S. in Theoretical Physics, Masaryk University

Ivana Miháliková

Ivana Miháliková

Postdoctoral Researcher

Ivana Miháliková's research centers on hybrid quantum-classical algorithms. She collaborates closely on projects involving the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) and advanced optimization techniques in quantum computing.

Research Interests

Her research interests include hybrid algorithms, quantum machine learning, and practical applications of NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) systems.

Education/Professional History

  • 2022 – present: Postdoctoral Researcher, Slovak Academy of Sciences
  • 2019: PhD in Quantum Information Science, Comenius University
  • 2016: M.S. in Theoretical Physics, Comenius University

Contact Us

Get in Touch

Phone: +421 2 2091 0707

Address:

Institute of Physics SAS
Dubravska Road 9
845 11 Bratislava 45
Slovak Republic