About Me
I am a quantum physicist specialising in quantum technologies built on atomic physics. My experience spans quantum computing, quantum sensing and, most recently, atom lithography. I began as a theorist during my master’s, then moved to experiment because I wanted to build the phenomena I had studied and make them useful to the public.
In my free time, I like to play badminton or go for a swim and spend time with my family.
Experience
Senior Experimental Physicist, Lace Lithography AS, Bergen, Norway
Jan 2026 – Present
- Contributed towards conditioning of atomic beams for lithography
Research Scientist, Atomionics, Singapore
Oct 2022 – Dec 2025
- Deployed static cold-atom gravimeters in field surveys in the USA and Australia, and handled survey operations
- Built and deployed a prototype miniaturised moving-base cold-atom gravimeter from scratch within 6 months, halving development time
- Improved sensor performance through microwave state preparation and improvements to the RF chain
- Led R&D on next-generation gravimeters and on mitigating phase-noise sources, for fieldable instruments in harsh environments for resource exploration
- Led development of laser subsystems based on photonic integrated circuits
- Implemented motion-mitigation strategies for cold-atom gravimeters in the field
- Worked with mechanical, electronics and software engineers to build an integrated system
Doctoral Candidate, Centre for Quantum Technologies, Singapore
Sept 2018 – Sept 2022 · Advisor: Asst. Prof. Loh Huanqian
- Set up a laser cooling and trapping lab for sodium atoms from scratch, for quantum simulation and computing with optical tweezers, as the lab’s first Ph.D. student
- Demonstrated single sodium atoms trapped in an optical tweezer
- Proposed a Raman sideband cooling scheme for sodium, then designed and built its optical setup
- Carried out a theoretical study of molecular state detection by quantum logic spectroscopy
- Built vacuum systems and optical setups for atomic physics experiments
- Designed and debugged electronics: 1.7 GHz RF circuits, coil drivers, and high-voltage amplifiers for fast electro-optic switching
- Programmed the control system and experimental sequences in Python
Earlier research
- Summer Intern, Centre for Quantum Technologies (Jul – Aug 2018): built an RF driver for a 1.7 GHz electro-optic modulator and locking electronics for a 767 nm laser
- Master’s thesis, University of Hyderabad (Jul 2017 – May 2018, Prof. Anantha Lakshmi Pochincherla): simulations of quantum optomechanical effects at the macroscopic scale in a hybrid quantum-well cavity optomechanical system
- Visiting Student Researcher, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (May – Jun 2017, Prof. Venu Gopal Achanta): proof-of-concept experiment enhancing electrical conductivity in organic semiconductors using surface plasmons
- Student Intern, University of Hyderabad (May 2016, Prof. Seshubai Vummethala): prepared YBCO bulk superconductors by sintering and oxygenation
- Summer Research Fellow, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai (May – Jun 2015, Prof. Raghava Verma): microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition of diamond for particle-detector studies
- Student Trainee, University of Hyderabad (May – Dec 2014, Prof. Vipin Srivastava): fractals and neural networks
Education
Ph.D. in Physics, Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore
2018 – 2022 · GPA: 4.5/5.0
Integrated M.Sc. in Physics, University of Hyderabad
2013 – 2018 · GPA: 9.1/10
Senior Secondary School, P. Obul Reddy Public School, Hyderabad
2011 – 2013 · GPA: 9.4/10
Secondary School, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Hyderabad
2010 – 2011 · GPA: 10/10
Publications
- M.M. Aliyu, L. Zhao, X.Q. Quek, K.C. Yellapragada, H. Loh, “D1 Magic Wavelength Tweezers for Scaling Atom Arrays”, Physical Review Research (2021). doi:10.1103/PhysRevResearch.3.043059
- N. Pramanik, K.C. Yellapragada, S. Singh, P.A. Lakshmi, “Coherent Control of Fano Resonances in a Macroscopic Four-Mirror Cavity”, Physical Review A (2020). doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.101.043802
- K.C. Yellapragada, N. Pramanik, S. Singh, P.A. Lakshmi, “Optomechanical Effects in a Macroscopic Hybrid System”, Physical Review A (2018). doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.98.053822
Scholarships and awards
- SGInnovate Summation Programme Awardee, 2022 – 2023
- Centre for Quantum Technologies Ph.D. Scholarship, 2018 – 2022
- Best Project Award, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Visiting Student Research Programme, 2017
- Indian Academy of Sciences Summer Research Fellowship, 2015
Skills
- Experimental: quantum sensors, laser locking, laser cooling and optical trapping, vacuum systems, optical setups, polarisation stabilisation, chemical vapour deposition, DC sputtering, X-ray diffraction, electron-beam lithography
- Electronics: design and debugging, high-voltage and high-current circuits, RF electronics
- Programming and software: Python, MATLAB, Mathematica, Julia, C++, FORTRAN, Autodesk EAGLE, SolidWorks, LaTeX
- Machining: lathe, drill press, milling, 3D printing
- Management: gravity survey operations, team leadership, product and requirements analysis
- Languages: English, Telugu, Hindi, Sanskrit
Leadership and engagement
- Squad Lead, Lace Lithography AS, Apr 2026 - Oct 2026
- Committee Member, Quantum Young Researchers’ Association (QYRA), 2024 – 2025
- Safety Lead, Loh Lab, Centre for Quantum Technologies, 2019 – 2022
- QCamp Coordinator, Centre for Quantum Technologies, 2019
- Junior Science Club Coordinator, University of Hyderabad, 2016 – 2017
- Student Coordinator, Recent Trends in Quantum Optics Conference, University of Hyderabad, 2016
- Sports Secretary, Students’ Union, University of Hyderabad, 2013 – 2014