BBQ Lab

In our recent review, published in Advanced Photonics, we examine how spatially structured light—in which the shape and mode structure of photons are precisely engineered—is opening powerful new directions in quantum information science.

Rather than restricting information to simple two-level qubits, we highlight how photons can be prepared in high-dimensional quantum states (qudits) by encoding information in their transverse spatial degrees of freedom. This approach dramatically expands the information capacity of a single photon, enabling richer correlations, stronger noise resilience, and more efficient communication protocols.

Crucially, spatial modes are highly programmable. Using top-down optical circuit platforms—such as multi-plane light converters—researchers can implement complex, high-dimensional transformations in compact and scalable architectures. This makes advanced functionalities, including multi-party operations and multi-outcome measurements, directly accessible within a single optical system.

We are very excited to be featured on the cover of the February issue of Nature Photonics!

The cover is an artistic illustration inspired by our work on reconfigurable quantum networks, where we harness light scattering inside a simple multi-mode optical fibre to distribute and swap entanglement to a large-scale network of eight users in a completely reconfigurable manner. The tetradecahedron (14-sided shape) on the cover represents our scattering-based 8×8-mode optical circuit!

In addition to our article’s publication, this issue also includes a News and Views article discussing the work and its impact.

How do you measure large quantum superpositions of time?

Measuring a time-bin qubit (d=2) normally requires an unbalanced (Franson) interferometer that coherently combines an early and late time-bin. Extending this to high-dimensional (d>2) time-bin quDits is very difficult, usually requiring multiple, bulky, phase-stabilized interferometers that are difficult to align.

In our latest preprint, we show how a high-dimensional time-bin quDit (d=11) can be measured by harnessing space-time coupling in a multi-mode fibre. We use wavefront shaping in space to program large, multi-mode unbalanced (Franson) interferometers for time inside the fiber!

arXiv link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.14565

We’re very excited to welcome two new PhD students to the BBQ lab!

Bilal joins us from Lahore, Pakistan. He first discovered his passion for quantum optics during his undergraduate studies, where he worked with PhysLab at LUMS — an experience that sparked his enthusiasm for the exciting research we do.

Pravalika, originally from Chennai, India, completed her Integrated MSc in Physics at the Central University of Tamil Nadu. Driven by a deep and growing interest in quantum optics, she pursued an M.Tech in Quantum Technology at IIST, Thiruvananthapuram before joining us.

We’re delighted to have both Bilal and Pravalika as part of our team and look forward to the creativity and insight they will bring to our lab. Learn more about their backgrounds and journeys before BBQ Lab on our People page.

We are currently advertising two 4-year PhD studentships on entanglement generation and distribution. These positions are funded by the European Research Council, the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and the BT Group (via an Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award).

If you are interested in joining us, please have a look at our Openings page for more information. The positions will be open to applications until Feb 15th, 2026.