Farewell Mona — an internship experience developing SBQ’s quantum demonstrator
SBQuantum developing a Magnetic Intelligence solution based on data science, algorithms, quantum engineering, physics and robotics, multidisciplinarity and collaboration are key to our vision. As a startup, access to top talent with a variety of expertise and competencies in coding, physics, electronics is key to quickly get our solution on the field. We recently welcomed Mona, an international student at ETH Zurich for a 5 month internship in quantum engineering, working at the frontier between physics, electrical engineering and product development. Kayla, a quantum physicist at SBQ, interviewed Mona on her internship experience.
What made you join SBQ?
As part of my Master studies, I took a course on different quantum computing and sensing platforms, touching on NV centers in diamond. Being very interested in solid state physics, NV centers intrigued me and felt like a natural topic for an internship. As I started looking at companies that do NV sensing close to prototyping, I found SBQuantum and thought it would be nice to join this team. Getting to visit Canada was a bonus 😊
What on SBQ’s mission excites you the most?
I mean space is the most exciting because… SPACE. But I loved working on the Quantum Demonstrator project too, which meant developing a turnkey solution based on NV centers in diamond to test different quantum control and readout schemes using commercial electronic platforms.
How does it feel working with SBQ’s team?
Great!!! Everyone was super welcoming — the team is always fun and they have a great team spirit. Everyone is always happy to help you.
Having worked on Quantum Demonstrator, can you tell us more about it?
Yes of course. I would say that the QDemo is a less sophisticated version of our sensor that gives you more experimental freedom. Its targeted at laboratories and also for educational purposes. I was involved in designing the optics, testing the PCBs, putting together a user manual and assembling the final product. In the last weeks of the internships I also worked with end users (collaborators at Institut quantique, Université de Sherbrooke) to commission the prototype, which succeeded on time!
Magnetics?
I never realized how many things were magnetic! For instance, I came to know more about magnetics of rocks and the role it plays for exploration in mining.
What was your biggest internship failure? How did you bounce from it?
I failed many times. But there was never one big thing. Its kind of just the day to day, every day you come in something breaks and then you just have to fix it. I guess gluing vector magnetometry biasing components the wrong way was kind of a failure, but then we realized how strong our glue actually was. We then got another mechanical engineering intern to spend two weeks trying to remove it. After he managed to remove it, another element broke, rendering the device practically unusable. In the end, we worked with the team to get back on track and got back on our feet.
What’s next for you?
Finishing my Quantum engineering masters at ETH Zurich! I still have a year left and have to start my masters thesis soon. I really enjoyed working at a startup and would like to return to one in the future.
What’s a funny or memorable moment from your time as an intern that you’ll always remember?
David, our CEO, has the biggest, loudest laugh you could imagine; I feel like it breaks physics. Hearing David laugh through the office and looking around to see everyone giggling about his laugh was memorable too.
Of course, getting the demonstrator to work for the first time was very satisfying!
Did you have any favorite team outings or bonding experiences during your internship?
Visiting the 11 comtés microbrewery in Cookshire and drinking the Boîte Quantique Quantum beer SBQ and Sherbrooke quantum innovation zone brewed on the rooftop were nice opportunities to bond in a relaxed environment!
What is your work playlist?
The Official Barbie soundtrack
What’s a tech buzzword you learned at SBQthat you’re secretly proud of dropping in conversations now?
Its not really a buzzword, but everyone here uses their two hands and fingers to mimic an ODMR (Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance) when trying to explain what the plots looked like in their experiments.
If you could give incoming interns one piece of advice for having a blast here, what would it be?
Dive right in! Try to connect with everyone and ask questions to learn from the varied skills in SBQ’s team!
