Experimental physicist Yusuf Karli, a former PhD student in the research group of Gregor Weihs, has been awarded the IQOQI Dissertation Prize 2024. Worth 1,000 EUR, it has been awarded since 2013 as a recognition for outstanding scientific achievements in the field of quantum physics. We warmly congratulate Mr. Karli on his success!
Yusuf Karli’s PhD thesis, titled “Advanced Excitation Schemes for Quantum Dots”, focused on enhancing the performance of semiconductor quantum dots as reliable single-photon sources—also known as photonic qubits—for quantum technologies. His research addressed the challenges of generating high-purity, indistinguishable photons by developing innovative excitation techniques.
A significant contribution of his work was the first experimental demonstration of the "SUPER" (Swing-UP of quantum emitter population) scheme, which utilizes two red-detuned laser pulses to coherently excite quantum dots. The SUPER scheme has since become an active research topic, with many leading groups around the world conducting intensive theoretical and experimental work to better understand this new approach to light-matter interaction.
Additionally, Karli explored the control of photon number coherence (PNC), a critical parameter both for the fundamental understanding of quantum states and for the security of quantum communications. By tailoring excitation schemes, he and his colleagues achieved improved control over the phase relationship between vacuum and one-photon states.
Throughout his doctoral research, Karli visited distinguished research groups across Europe as a guest researcher—collaborating with Armando Rastelli (Johannes Kepler University Linz), Tobias Heindel (Technische Universität Berlin), Doris Reiter (Technische Universität Dortmund), and Mete Atatüre (University of Cambridge) – this way enriching his work with diverse perspectives and expertise.
Award for outstanding achievements
The IQOQI Dissertation Prize is presented to promising young physicists for their outstanding achievements in the field of quantum physics. Endowed with a prize money of 1,000 EUR, it recognizes excellent research of graduates of PhD or doctoral studies at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. This year Yusuf Karli of Gregor Weihs’ research group is presented with the prize for his dissertation “Advanced Excitation Schemes for Quantum Dots”, submitted in April 2024. The award ceremony took place on May 12, 2025.
Profile
Born in Adıyaman, Turkey, Yusuf Karli studied physics at the İzmir Institute of Technology, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees. He completed his PhD in 2024 at the University of Innsbruck in the Photonics group of Gregor Weihs. In August 2024, he joined the research groups of Mete Atatüre and Dorian Gangloff at the University of Cambridge as a postdoctoral researcher, focusing on quantum networks—particularly light-matter interfaces and entanglement distribution. Starting in October 2025, he will be appointed as a Research Fellow at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge. In addition, Yusuf Karli serves as the coordinator of the non-profit organization QTurkey (Quantum Türkiye) since 2023, as part of his commitment to public science communication and education.