Quantum information, optics & learning theory.
I'm a PhD candidate at Tel Aviv University, exploring questions at the intersection of quantum information, photonic hardware, and machine learning theory.
Advised by Prof. Yaron Oz · School of Physics & Astronomy
Where it starts
My son, exploring a Fresnel lens right after I tried to explain how it works.
What I work on
I'm drawn to problems that sit at the boundaries between fields. Much of my work focuses on quantum photonic computing — designing robust quantum gates in integrated circuits, building spatial mode transformers, and developing quantum key distribution protocols. I'm particularly interested in how ideas from robust control can make photonic quantum devices practical and scalable.
In parallel, I study quantum many-body physics — complexity diagnostics, quantum scrambling, localization transitions, and symmetry enhancement measurements in integrable models. I also explore foundational questions in machine learning theory (why gradient-based learning works, high-dimensional classification). I find that moving between these areas often leads to unexpected connections — methods from one field becoming tools in another.
Quantum Information
TheoryMany-body localization, quantum scrambling, symmetry enhancement in integrable models, graph state fusion, and quantum switching protocols.
Quantum Optics & Photonics
Integrated quantum gates, directional couplers, spatial mode sorting, optical neural networks, and hybrid QKD.
AI & Learning Theory
Linearization principles in neural networks, Gaussian mixture classification, sparse coding, and generative models.
Click a research area to filter publications below
Publications
Full list on Google Scholar and in my CV.
End-to-End Quantum Key Distribution Across Hybrid Fiber and Free-Space Links with All-Optical Encoding Conversion
K. Cohen, T. Nahum, M. Tzukran, P. Or, Y. Pilnyak, N. Livneh, H. Eisenberg, Y. Oz, H. Suchowski · arXiv preprint (2026)
SONAR: Spectral-Contrastive Audio Residuals for Generalizable Deepfake Detection
I. N. Hidekel, G. Lifshitz, K. Cohen, D. Raviv · ICML (2026)
Distributed Acoustic Sensing for Urban Monitoring: Coverage Thresholds and Percolation
K. Cohen, A. Lellouch · arXiv preprint (2026)
Boson Sampling as a Probe of Chaotic and Integrable Quantum Dynamics in a Photonic Chip
Y. Zhan, K. Cohen, N. Koo, K. H. Lim, H. Zhang, L. Wan, S. Chae, A. Q. Liu, V. Bastidas, Y. Oz, L.-C. Kwek · arXiv preprint (2026)
Implicit Binarization via Complex Phase Dynamics in Combinatorial Optimization
K. Cohen, M. Glass, M. Feder, Y. Oz · arXiv preprint (2026)
Buried Fiber-Optic Geolocalization with Distributed Acoustic Sensing
K. Cohen, N. Nisan, O. Nissan, A. Lellouch · Under review in IEEE Trans. Geophysics & Remote Sensing
Weak Correlations as the Underlying Principle for Linearization of Gradient-Based Learning Systems
O. Shem-or, K. Cohen, Y. Oz · ICLR (2026)
Single Plane Spatial Mode Sorter
K. Cohen, Y. Yosif-Or, Y. Oz, A. Arie · Optics Express (2026)
Generalized Type II Fusion of Graph States
N. Rimok, K. Cohen, Y. Oz · Phys. Rev. A (2026)
High Fidelity CNOT Gates in Photonic Integrated Circuits
J. Piasetzky, A. Rotem, Y. Warshavsky, Y. Drori, K. Cohen, Y. Oz, H. Suchowski · Under review in Optica Quantum
A Fiber-Optic Traffic Monitoring Network Trained with Video Inputs
K. Cohen, L. Hen, A. Lellouch · Scientific Reports (2025)
Robust Photonic Quantum Gates With A Large Number of Waveguide Segments
K. Cohen, H. Suchowski, Y. Oz · Advanced Quantum Technologies (2025)
High-Fidelity Integrated Quantum Photonic Logic Via Robust Directional Couplers
K. Cohen*, J. Piasetzky*, Y. Drori, A. Rotem, Y. Warshavsky, Y. Oz, H. Suchowski · Submitted to PRL
Short-Term Spatiotemporal Photo-Voltaic Power Generation Forecasting
Y. Katz-Danan, K. Cohen, J. Ostrometzky · Submitted to JSTARS
Robust Characterization of Integrated Photonics Directional Couplers
J. Piasetzky, Y. Drori, Y. Warshavski, A. Rotem, K. Cohen, Y. Oz, H. Suchowski · Under review
Complexity Measure Diagnostic of Ergodic to Many-Body Localization Transition
K. Cohen, Y. Oz, D.-L. Zhong · Phys. Rev. B (2024)
Classifying Overlapping Gaussian Mixtures in High Dimensions
K. Cohen, N. Levy, Y. Oz · Under review
Temporal Super-Resolution using Multi-Channel Illumination Source
K. Cohen, D. Raviv, D. Mendlovic · MDPI Sensors (2024)
Illumination-Based Color Reconstruction for the Dynamic Vision Sensor
K. Cohen, H. Levy, O. Hershko, D. Mendlovic, D. Raviv · MDPI Sensors (2023)
Hardware Analysis for Motion Estimation Task
K. Cohen, G. Hodeda, E. Almog, D. Raviv, D. Mendlovic · Applied Optics (2022)
Patents
Universal Spatial Optical Mode Transformer
US Patent (pending)Single Plane Spatial Mode Sorter
US Patent (pending)Robust Coupled Waveguides for Quantum Gates
US 63/704,436Traffic Monitoring via CNN with Fiber-Optic Sensing
US 63/663,951Talks & Conferences
With a Nobel Laureate
A memorable conversation with Prof. F. Duncan M. Haldane — Nobel Laureate in Physics (2016) — during the Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore, 2024.
Niels Bohr Quantum Summer School
Copenhagen, Denmark
QERNEL Quantum Conference
Bar Ilan University, Israel
Sensing with Quantum Light
Bad Honnef, Germany
ML Theory Summer School
Princeton University, USA
Frontiers in Physics Conference
LMU Munich, Germany
Global Young Scientists Summit
Singapore
ML for Quantum Technology
Max Planck Institute, Germany
Quantum Day — Cyber Week
Tel Aviv University, Israel
In the News
A Complete Quantum Key Distribution System, Demonstrated for the First Time
TAU researchers demonstrated an end-to-end QKD system that converts the encoding of quantum information between an optical fiber and a free-space link — without measuring the information or compromising its security. The system operated over distances of up to 750 metres under changing atmospheric conditions.
Feel Tel Aviv from Below: Seismic Traffic Monitoring
TAU researchers use fiber-optic seismic sensors beneath city streets to anonymously monitor traffic — a "seismic Waze" that provides comprehensive data without cameras or personal identification.
Education
2023 — Present
Ph.D. in Physics — Quantum Information & Technology
Tel Aviv University · Advisor: Prof. Yaron Oz
2022 — 2023
MBA — Coller School of Management
Tel Aviv University · Summa Cum Laude
Dean's List. San Diego Immersion Program.
2019 — 2022
M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering
Tel Aviv University · Summa Cum Laude · Advisor: Prof. David Mendlovic
Thesis: Hardware Analysis and Temporal Super Resolution for Motion Estimation.
2015 — 2019
B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering & B.Sc. in Physics
Tel Aviv University · Magna Cum Laude · Top 3%
Double degree. Research in silicon photonics at the Nano-Femto Lab (Prof. Haim Suchowski).
Experience
DTect Vision Ltd.
Co-Founder · Hardware & Camera Team Lead · 2020–2023
Co-founded with Prof. David Mendlovic and Dr. Dan Raviv. Led hardware development and patent portfolio. TAU Ventures Accelerator.
Apple Inc.
Student Physical Design Engineer · Herzliya · 2017–2019
High-performance chip design at Apple's Israel R&D center.
Teaching & Mentoring
Imaging Systems and Optical Signal Processing
2025 – Present · Tel Aviv University
Classical Optics
2021 – 2022
Imaging Systems and Optical Signal Processing
2021 – 2025
Waves Transmission and Distributed Systems
2019 – 2020
Student Projects I've Supervised
Mentoring students is one of the most rewarding parts of academic life. I've supervised over 60 undergraduate final-year projects — several of which placed among the top 3 out of ~200 across the faculty. A selection below (click any poster to enlarge).
Collaborators
Topics & Keywords
Click a topic to explore the related papers