Harvard University

Optical systems architect at Facebook

University of Washington, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Research Assistant Professor

University of Washington

Director, Quantum Technologies Training and Testbed Lab

Technical lead on cross-functional teams developing augmented and virtual reality display systems from concept formation and analysis through functional prototypes. Primarily responsible for optical system design and modeling.  Modeled system constraints and performance including the development of in-house numerical tools in python, wrote component requirements, designed optical metrology tooling, and performed numerical simulations (computational electromagnetics, finite-element). Managed projects in their early stages, developed and led collaborations with both academic research groups and industrial partners, mentored junior scientists and graduate student interns, served on the research lab’s diversity, equity and inclusion leadership committee, and was a co-inventor on 25+ granted patents.

Staff Research Scientist, Optical Systems Architect

Skills: Programming · Metrology · Laser · Laser Physics · Image Analysis · Technical Leadership · Automation · Optimization · Research and Development (R&D) · Optoelectronics · Project Management · Research · FDTD · Technology Management · Integration · Virtual Reality (VR) · Fiber Optics · Photonics · Digital Imaging · Electro-optics · Mixed Reality

Senior Research Scientist, Optical Systems Architect

Contributed to the startup's first prototype of a quantum computer based on cold atoms in holographically-generated optical tweezers, including the opto-mechanical design and assembly of imaging and laser systems, development of code for hardware automation and for physics simulations of multi-photon optical transitions for atomic qubits, and designing protocols for single and two-qubit quantum gates.  I also managed the first IP filings of the new startup.

Atom Computing

Senior Scientist

Technical lead on an augmented reality projector concept.  Brought an augmented reality projector system from concept to prototype demonstration.
* Optical systems design
* Computational electromagnetics simulations/optimization
* Technical management of industrial and academic partnerships
* IP development

Oculus VR

Physicist

Continued experiments with ultracold atoms in optical lattices using the site-resolved imaging method I developed as a graduate student.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Developed image processing algorithms for precision magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy centers
in diamond. (part-time)

Quantum Diamond Technologies Inc.

Scientist

Designed and built an apparatus for performing single-atom resolved microscopy of a dilute atomic vapor cooled to one microkelvin and trapped by laser light. Played a leadership role in organizing a team of 3-4 graduate students and a postdoc to successfully develop this new measurement
technique— sourcing, designing and building optical, electronic, mechanical, and vacuum components, and publishing our results in leading scientific journals.

Graduate Research Fellow

Developed a laser-ablation based supersonic beam source of tungsten-carbide molecules and characterized a new method of slowing molecular beams using large electric fields.

Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

Visiting Researcher

Developed a widely-tunable, grating-stabilized diode laser system for applications in molecular spectroscopy.  Worked with high-voltage electronics for guiding and decelerating molecular beams using large electric fields.  Performed finite element and trajectory simulations for controlling the motion of ions.

EPFL

Studied the laser ablation and cryogenic buffer gas cooling of alkali and rare earth atoms. Contributed to the development of a high-flux, cryogenic buffer gas cooled molecular beam source which enabled the most precise measurement at the time of the permanent electric dipole moment of the electron.  This measurement was featured on the cover of Science.

Maxwell Parsons