Jack Yu
Education
California Institute of Technology · Pasadena, CA
B.S. in Physics · GPA: 4.1 · Sophomore
Coursework: Quantum Mechanics, Linear Algebra, Abstract Algebra, Differential Equations, Statistical Mechanics, Multivariable Calculus, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Micro/Nanofabrication Lab
Research Experience
Student Researcher — Experimental Gravity Group (EGG) · Caltech
Pasadena, CA
- Developed numerical methods to design non-Gaussian photonic quantum states for quantum sensing and computation using QuTiP and Strawberry Fields.
- Formulated multi-mode beam-splitter and squeezing circuits as high-dimensional parameter optimization problems, maximizing target-state fidelity under photon loss and phase noise.
- Implemented large-scale quantum state simulations and numerical optimization in Python, using NumPy, SciPy, TensorFlow, and HPC resources to parallelize parameter searches and fidelity calculations.
- Investigated how circuit architecture, squeezing parameters, loss, and measurement choices affect the achievable quality of generated quantum states.
William N. Lacey SURF Research Fellow — Cushing Lab · Caltech
Pasadena, CA
- Investigated microscopic mechanisms of ion transport in solid-state electrolytes through computational modeling and temperature-dependent spectroscopy.
- Modeled lattice anharmonicity in Na3PS4 using density functional theory (DFT) to study phonon-mediated ion transport.
- Designed and integrated a thermoelectric temperature-control system for Laser-driven Ultrafast Impedance Spectroscopy (LUIS).
Optoelectronics Intern · Sandia National Laboratories — III-V Photonics Center
Albuquerque, NM
- Conducted R&D for the DARPA H6 program developing a piezo-tunable Fabry–Pérot etalon for chip-scale atomic clocks.
- Characterized VCSEL devices through probe-station measurements and quantitative analysis of laser performance.
Selected Project
Hexagonal Non-Gaussian State Generation · Python, QuTiP, Strawberry Fields
Caltech EGG
- Designed parameterized multi-mode photonic circuits to generate a target hexagonal non-Gaussian quantum state.
- Optimized squeezing profiles, circuit parameters, and mode allocations to maximize state fidelity under realistic photon-loss models.
- Built numerical simulation and optimization workflows for high-dimensional quantum states and evaluated performance across circuit configurations.
Publication
D. K. Serkland, A. J. Grine, P.-S. Wong, Jack Yu. Noise Characterization of VCSELs for Atomic Clocks and Magnetometers. Proceedings of SPIE, Vol. PC13911, Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers XXX, 2026.
Technical Skills
- Programming
- Python, Java, MATLAB, Git, LaTeX
- Quantum Computing
- QuTiP, Strawberry Fields, Quantum State Simulation
- Scientific Computing
- NumPy, SciPy, TensorFlow, Numerical Optimization, DFT
- Micro/Nanofabrication
- Electron-Beam Lithography, Optical Lithography, AFM, SEM, Microfluidics
- Experimental
- Optical Alignment, Probe Station, PCB Design, Device Characterization
Selected Awards
- AIME Qualifier — American Mathematics Invitational Examination
- NISCA All-American — Top 100 in the US, 200 Medley Relay, Jun 2025