Sameed Muhammed

Experimental Quantum Physicist

Universal Quantum

Hamburg, Germany

26 profile visits

At Universal Quantum (2025–), collaborating with DLR on Toccata and Legato to advance quantum computing in Germany. Previously at CERN (2013–2025 PhD+Postdoc)

My organisation

Universal Quantum

Start-up

Hamburg, Germany

Universal Quantum is a UK-based quantum computing company founded by Professors Sebastian Weidt and Winfried Hensinger from the University of Sussex. Established in 2018, it emerged from their pioneering work on scalable trapped-ion quantum computing. The company is committed to developing practical, large-scale quantum computers capable of addressing complex global challenges. Universal Quantum's approach centers on a modular architecture that integrates quantum and classical control systems, enabling scalability and reliability. Their technology, including the proprietary UQConnect system, facilitates near-perfect fidelity in connecting quantum modules. This engineering-driven strategy aims to build quantum computers that are not only powerful but also practical for real-world applications. The company operates internationally, with teams in the UK, Germany, and the USA. They collaborate with leading organizations, such as the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), to advance quantum computing technology. Universal Quantum's mission is encapsulated in their slogan: "Solve scale. Change world." For more detailed information, you can visit their official website: Universal Quantum

About me

Sameed is a physicist and hardware R&D engineer working at the interface of quantum technology, atomic physics, and precision instrumentation. His work focuses on transforming complex experimental concepts into scalable hardware systems.

He is currently part of Universal Quantum, where he collaborates with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on two flagship projects within Germany’s Quantum Computing Initiative (QCi) — TOCCATA and LEGATO. Both initiatives aim to accelerate the realization of scalable trapped-ion quantum computers:

TOCCATA focuses on building a next-generation trapped-ion quantum processor with more than 50 qubits and advanced electronic qubit connectivity, enabling high-speed, scalable quantum operations.
LEGATO pioneers modular architectures that interconnect multiple quantum modules, representing a critical step toward large-scale, networked quantum systems.

These systems are currently under construction at Universal Quantum’s Hamburg laboratories, where Sameed contributes to the design, assembly, and commissioning of UHV and cryo platforms, control electronics, and quantum subsystems.

Before joining Universal Quantum, Sameed spent over a decade at CERN, where he worked on both fundamental antimatter research and applied accelerator technology. As part of the ALPHA collaboration, he specialized in antimatter and plasma physics, developing and operating cryogenic Penning–Malmberg traps to confine antiproton and positron plasmas for the creation of antihydrogen atoms.

His work contributed to groundbreaking precision experiments in laser and microwave spectroscopy, as well as the first measurements of gravitational effects on antihydrogen with ALPHA-g. These experiments provided some of the most sensitive tests of CPT symmetry and fundamental physics with antimatter to date.

In later years, as an Applied Physicist and Senior Fellow, Sameed worked on advanced electron beam systems at CERN. His expertise spans beam simulation, vacuum and high voltage system design, diagnostics, and experimental integration under high-precision conditions.

Driven by curiosity and technical rigor, Sameed’s career bridges quantum computing, experimental physics, and engineering, uniting fundamental science with practical innovation.