Medalist pens breakthrough in quantum computing research
It’s not easy to explain what Michael Steger does—unless you’re an expert on highly isotopically enriched silicon and its use in optical spectroscopy to study the fundamental properties of semiconductors.
All you need to know is that he does it very well.
The physics PhD student is the lead author on a study published in the prestigious journal Science last week about a breakthrough in silicon-based quantum computing.
He has also finished a review on the subject for the Journal of Applied Physics and now has a job in Germany doing semiconductor research at Carl Zeiss Research & Development.
His research, though incomprehensible to many, has many real-world implications. His thesis analyzes metallic contaminations in silicon, which have detrimental effects on silicon’s performance in integrated circuits—or computer chips. His results will help avoid contamination in future research and industry projects.
Steger’s academic prowess has earned him the Dean of Science’s graduate convocation medal for achieving a cumulative grade-point average that places him in the top five per cent of his graduating class.
In his spare time—though he admits he has little—he developed a Mac app that easily puts photos into tidy collages. “The app is the result of something that I always wanted to have, but couldn't buy—because it didn't exist,” he says.
“So I figured I’d just program it on my own. I had some prior programming experience, but it still took quite a few all-nighters to get it done.”
To take his mind off school, Steger spent his weekends outdoors. “I spent a lot of time hiking B.C.'s backcountry,” he says.
As much as SFU was about school and getting his career off the runway, Steger leaves with more than just a PhD and a dean’s medal. “What I liked best about SFU? I found my wife here.”
Provided by Simon Fraser University
