Emma Sokoll: Materializing Quantum Computing Systems with Light Sculptures

Introduction to "Syntax of a Photon"

• 💡 Emma Sokoll, a physicist and artist, introduces her installation "Syntax of a Photon".
• 🎯 The work aims to materialize the workings of a photonic quantum computing system.
• 🧠 It explores the intersection of physics and art, moving beyond abstract mathematical representations.

Artistic & Scientific Inspiration

• 🔑 Sokoll was inspired by Niels Bohr's material approach to quantum physics, particularly his thought experiments on wave-particle duality.
• 🔬 She sought to understand what quantum circuits and qubits actually look like, focusing on a single-photon processor from her lab.
• 💬 Feminist theorist Donna Haraway's critique of "god-like objectivity" in science helped her embrace artistic interpretation of complex quantum systems.

The Installation: Light & Sound

• ✨ "Syntax of a Photon" is an audiovisual installation where light and sound represent different aspects of the quantum process.
• 💡 Light visuals show photon paths, with brightness indicating probability and pulses representing discreteness and superposition.
• 🎶 Live-generated sound by Ed from Eigensound Lab illustrates quantum randomness and the agency of photons, with each measurement creating a distinct chord.
• 🛠️ Interactive knobs allow users to manipulate "quantum gates," changing photon paths and probabilities within the system.

Demystifying Quantum Computing

• ✅ The installation's core idea is to move beyond viewing quantum computing as a "black box" or abstract equations.
• 🤝 It functions as a generative musical instrument, emphasizing collaboration and the inherent agency of photons.

Future Vision & Democratization

• 🚀 Future plans include linking the installation to a live photonic processor in the lab.
• 🌐 This will allow real-time lab data to generate the sound, aiming to democratize access to these hidden technologies for the public.