South African Research Chair in Quantum Information Processing and Communication, Professor Francesco Petruccione of UKZN’s Centre for Quantum Technology, was awarded a Fellowship of the University of KwaZulu-Natal during this year’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science's Graduation Ceremony.
Fellowships are awarded by the University’s Council in recognition of distinguished academic achievement, and are conferred for life. Numerous criteria, from the originality of research to significant publications to international standing in the relevant field, are taken into consideration in the award process.
Petruccione has directed the Centre for Quantum Technology research group since its Innovation Fund-supported inception in 2005.
Originally from Italy, he studied Physics at the University of Freiburg in Germany, receiving his PhD in 1988. Petruccione worked at that institution until 2003 before moving to South Africa to take up a Professorship in Theoretical Physics at UKZN. It was at UKZN where he achieved what is the highlight of his career - the establishment of the Centre for Quantum Technology from scratch.
Petruccione is well-published in quantum technology, with more than 150 papers to his name. He has given more than 100 presentations worldwide on the topic.
A notable accomplishment was being a co-author of a monograph on The Theory of Open Quantum Systems, which has been cited more than 4 000 times.
‘Quantum technologies will be at the core of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,’ said Petruccione, speaking on the importance of this research. ‘We are contributing to develop the necessary skills to take part in the quantum future.’
Petruccione has contributed to the development of the theory of open quantum systems, and has worked on Quantum Information Processing and Communication (QIPC), concerning the storage, processing and communication of information according to laws of quantum physics. Petruccione says this enables quantum computers to perform tasks not possible with ordinary IT.
Petruccione has also worked on the realisation of a quantum key distribution system for Quantum Cryptography, involving the development of quantum devices. This contributed to Durban’s recognition in 2008 as the world’s first Quantum City, following the installation of a quantum communication security solution for eThekwini Municipality’s fibre-optic network.
‘The Fellowship is motivation to contribute even more to making UKZN a top institution,’ said Petruccione.
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