Quantum materials are a special class of condensed matter systems that exhibit fascinating electronic phases where quantum effects play an important role. These quantum electronic phases have profound technological benefits, e.g., superconductivity that transports electrical charge without loss and enables the creation of powerful magnets, topological effects where surfaces conduct electricity without loss while the bulk remains insulating, and quantum spin liquid that could become a platform for quantum computing. Our group utilizes optical techniques to understand the exotic electronic phases of various quantum materials in bulk as well as in nanoscale and explore their applications in quantum technologies. We utilize state-of-the-art nanofabrication tools to make quantum devices that are suitable for quantum computing with photons. Photonic quantum computing has the potential to operate at room temperature and it can be easily scaled down to a chip.