Robert Wolkow

Robert Wolkow is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Alberta, holding the iCORE Chair of nanoscale Information and Communication Technologies. He leads the Hybrid Nano-Electronic Systems program at the National Institute for Nanotechnology and serves as Chief Technical Officer of Quantum Silicon Inc. His research focuses on atom-scale fabrication, quantum computing, and ultra-low-power electronics. Wolkow has pioneered techniques in atomic-scale device manufacturing using scanning probe microscopy and hydrogen lithography.

Education: BSc (Waterloo, 1982), PhD (Toronto, 1987). Postdoctoral training at IBM Yorktown Heights and AT&T Bell Laboratories preceded his senior roles at the National Research Council of Canada. He has held leadership positions including Scientific Director of the Hitachi electron microscopy product development Centre.

Research interests emphasize atomic-scale engineering of silicon surfaces, including dangling bond logic systems, quantum dots, and nanoelectronic devices. His work bridges fundamental physics with applied technologies like quantum computing and nanofabrication automation. Recent publications highlight advancements in editable atomic-scale devices, charge defect simulations, and machine learning-driven nanoscale manufacturing.

Wolkow’s innovations include the first atomic-scale transistor and methods for precise atomic positioning. His labs integrate scanning tunneling microscopy, nanomanipulation, and computational modeling to explore silicon’s quantum and electronic properties at the atomic limit. Collaborations span academia and industry, driving applications from quantum sensors to next-generation computing architectures.