In medieval Europe, kings wore diamonds to absorb the gemstone’s purported powers of strength and invincibility. Today, researchers are seeking to harness those same storied powers to fuel quantum computing’s next leap.
Among those researchers: Harini Hapuarachichi, a computational physicist and postdoctoral research fellow at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)—and one of Computing’s Top 30 Early Career Professionals for 2024.
In the following Q&A, Hapuarachichi discusses her groundbreaking research and other career highlights, including
- How the dawning “quantum 2.0” era may bring quantum technologies—including new computing and communications paradigms—that profoundly impact our daily lives
- How she’s modeling and simulating quantum systems to help find ways to improve their ability to serve as building blocks of these emerging technologies
- Her approach to pitching complicated concepts—and how it earned her a runner-up spot in Quantum Australia 2024’s pitch competition.
- How her theoretical NV-plasmonics research shows potential to significantly enhance and control the nanoscale signals of diamond-based quantum systems by coupling them with plasmonic nanoparticles
- What most impressed her when she met Nobel laureates in physics, including Donna Strickland and Barry Barish
You were awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship at RMIT University in 2024. Can you share the focus of your current research and how this fellowship supports it?
My current research focuses on mathematically modeling and computationally simulating quantum systems—such as atomic-scale defects in diamond, known as nitrogen-vacancy centers (NV-centers)—to identify ways to help enhance their performance as building blocks of emerging technologies, ranging from quantum sensing to quantum computing. In addition to funding my research, the Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship has provided me with invaluable opportunities to be mentored by and build collaborations with world-leading quantum diamond experts at RMIT, across Australia, and internationally.
As the runner-up for the Most Outstanding Research Pitch at Quantum Australia 2024, what was the main topic of your pitch, and what do you believe made it stand out to the Judges?
This pitch, based on my recent research, focused on the potential to enhance the nanoscale signals of some emerging quantum technologies by coupling their diamond-based building blocks with tiny gold or silver particles, known as plasmonic nanoparticles. Based on the feedback I received afterwards, I believe the pitch stood out to the judges because it conveyed the essence of a complex topic in simple language, making it accessible to a diverse audience.
You received the Monash Postgraduate Publication Award in 2019. What were the key publications that contributed to this recognition, and how have they influenced your research trajectory?
The Monash Postgraduate Publication Award supports selected graduate research students at Monash University to publish further during their thesis examination. I received this award in recognition of my publications as a PhD student under the supervision of Professor Malin Premaratne. The publications (such as “Cavity QED analysis of an exciton-plasmon hybrid molecule via the generalized nonlocal optical response method,” in APS Physical Review B) focused on modeling simple quantum systems interacting with plasmonic particles. During my first postdoctoral position in the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, I built upon this experience to model the interaction between quantum systems in diamond and plasmonic nanoparticles, under the supervision of Professor Jared Cole. This work played a pivotal role in my securing the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship at RMIT University.
Representing Australia at the HOPE Meeting with Nobel Laureates in 2022 and the Heidelberg Laureate Forum in 2019 are significant honors. What were the most impactful experiences from these events, and how have they shaped your career?
As a young researcher representative at these prestigious international forums, I had the rare opportunity to meet Nobel laureates in physics such as Donna Strickland and Barry Barish, as well as laureates of Nobel-equivalent awards in mathematics and computer science, such as Professor Vinton Cerf. I was deeply moved by their kindness and humility as they shared their advice and experiences. Their stories emphasized the importance of passion, perseverance, and collaboration in advancing science and technology, which continue to inspire me, especially during challenging times in my own research.
Your research on theoretical NV-plasmonics has received media attention. Can you discuss the main findings of this work and how it opened new collaboration opportunities?
This theoretical work, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Francesco Campaioli and Professor Jared Cole at RMIT University, showed the potential of significantly enhancing and controlling the nanoscale signals of diamond-based quantum systems (NV-centers) by coupling them with plasmonic nanoparticles (such as tiny gold or silver particles) using light. Recognizing the potential impact and the importance of extending this preliminary research, my supervisor at the time (Cole) and my research center (ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science) generously supported and funded me to present this work at several leading quantum-diamond research centers in Australia and Europe, initiating collaborations. As a researcher at an early stage of my career, I am very grateful for their kind and visionary support.
In a subsequent collaboration with Professor Fedor Jelezko (a renowned pioneer in diamond quantum technologies) at Ulm University, Germany, we theoretically demonstrated the potential of plasmonically engineering the “spin-readout” of NV-centers. Such control holds the potential to enhance many emerging quantum applications, ranging from the light-based readout of NV-based qubits (the quantum equivalent of digital bits in computing) to the precise detection of extremely small magnetic fields for navigation and diagnostics.
You have delivered several invited talks, including a keynote at IEEE’s Introduction to Quantum Computing workshop and SkillSurf in 2023. What are some of the key messages you aim to convey in your talks, and how do you engage your audience?
The key message I aim to convey in nearly all of my talks is the significance of the topic at hand, whether it’s quantum computing or nitrogen-vacancy plasmonics, with the hope of sparking interest for further exploration and discussion among audience members. I engage the audience by keeping my talks simple and relatable, ensuring they are accessible to a wide range of listeners.
As a computational physicist with expertise in simulating quantum systems, what do you see as the most exciting developments in quantum technology, and where do you think the field is headed?
Personally, I’m most excited about the advancements in quantum sensing technologies, where most of the potential applications of my current diamond-based research lie. An increasing number of startups worldwide are focusing on diamond-based quantum technologies that can
operate at room temperature, unlike many other types of quantum technologies that require ultra-cold conditions.
Quantum sensing, alongside quantum computing and communication, holds the potential to play a transformative role in shaping our future. What’s commonly referred to as the “quantum 1.0 revolution” of the 20th century lifted the veil on quantum mechanics, providing us with a robust toolkit to understand how the world operates at the tiniest scales. This led to the development of devices like transistors and lasers, which fundamentally changed technology. We are now approaching the dawn of what many call the “quantum 2.0” era. Through the collective efforts of many researchers, emerging quantum technologies could profoundly impact our daily lives, offering ultraprecise metrological, diagnostic, and navigation tools, as well as new paradigms in computing and communication. It is our utmost responsibility to use these capabilities only for the benefit of humanity.
Reflecting on your diverse experiences, from your education at the University of Moratuwa and Monash University to your current role at RMIT, what are some key lessons you have learned, and how have they shaped your approach to research and innovation?
Some key lessons I’ve learned throughout my journey are the importance of perseverance and building a supportive network. These have consistently helped me overcome challenges and reach outcomes that I may not have achieved otherwise.
As a member of various professional organizations and committees, how have you advocated for diversity and inclusion in STEM?
During my undergraduate candidature, I served as the Director of Event Organising of the IEEE-WIE Student Branch Affinity Group at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, contributing to organizing several career and personal development workshops. During my PhD candidature, I volunteered for the IEEE-WIE Victoria Section and Monash University Student Branch, contributing to events such as the Lilypad Arduino Wearable Electronics Workshop for Monash students. Additionally, I had the pleasure of mentoring several junior female colleagues in my PhD research group, one of whom recently followed in my footsteps to represent Australia at the Heidelberg Laureate Forum.
As a postdoctoral researcher, I served on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, contributing to initiatives such as the development and dissemination of the Centre-wide EDI code of conduct.
How do you enjoy your leisure time outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy watching biopics (especially those of scientists) and animated movies (like Disney and Pixar, most of which I still find inspiring as an adult), as well as reading and blogging.
Bio: Harini Hapuarachichi
Harini Hapuarachichi is an engineer turned physicist who computationally studies tiny quantum systems that behave very differently from everyday objects. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. She then worked as a software engineer at the London Stock Exchange Group’s Sri Lanka branch (known then as MillenniumIT). Hapuarachichi then pursued a PhD in modeling quantum systems interacting with plasmonic nanoparticles at the Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Australia. Upon completing her doctorate, she joined the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) node of the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, where she began her current research on diamond-based quantum systems with diverse applications across emerging quantum technologies. Most recently, Hapuarachichi was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at RMIT University to continue advancing her work in collaboration with global experts.
Dig Deeper
To learn more about Hapuarachichi,
Each week over the next few months, Tech News will highlight different Top 30 honorees. For a full list, see Computing’s Top 30 Early Career Professionals for 2024.
In addition to Computing’s Top 30, IEEE Computer Society offers many other awards; to read
about the honors and the honorees—and perhaps nominate an impactful professional in your life—visit the IEEE CS Awards page.
