The Foundation for QC Innovation (FQCI) under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) successfully organized the QC Foundation Workshop Series-I, a two-day online workshop on “Photonic Quantum Computing: Basic Ideas and Applications”, on 03–04 September 2026. The workshop introduced participants to the fundamentals of photonic quantum computing, its emerging applications, and relevant technologies and simulation approaches.
Global Participation and Engagement: The workshop brought together 679 participants from 22 countries, including students, researchers, faculty members, and industry professionals. The strong international participation reflected growing global interest in quantum technologies and the importance of accessible technical education in developing a skilled quantum workforce.
Workshop Highlights: The workshop covered quantum mechanics, quantum information science, quantum computing, quantum circuits, photonic qubits, quantum algorithms, quantum cryptography, integrated photonic platforms, and simulation tools. Expert-led sessions by Prof. C. M. Chandrashekar (IISc Bengaluru) and Prof. Anirban Pathak (JIIT Noida) covered the fundamentals of quantum computing, including qubits, superposition, entanglement, quantum gates, and the role of photonics in next-generation quantum systems. Dr. Natarajan Venkatachalam (SETS, Chennai) addressed quantum cryptography, while Mr. S. Henry Sukumar, Dr. Naresh, and Mr. Vikas Ramasamy (C-DAC, Bengaluru) presented integrated photonic platforms, experimental techniques, simulation tools, and their potential for scalable quantum systems. Interactive Q&A sessions and discussions provided opportunities for participants to engage with the speakers and explore the concepts and applications presented during the workshop.
Participant Feedback: The workshop was very well received, with participants expressing strong satisfaction and appreciation for the overall programme. Participants particularly highlighted introductory quantum computing concepts, quantum algorithms and circuits, and photonic qubits and simulators as among the most useful topics covered.
