Working toward quantum advantage in computations for high-energy and nuclear physics, chemistry, materials science, condensed matter physics, and other fields.
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science has established five National Quantum Information Science (QIS) Research Centers. These centers will accelerate the transformational advances in basic science and quantum-based technologies needed to assure continued U.S. leadership in QIS, consistent with the National Quantum Initiative Act. Led by Brookhaven National Laboratory, the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage is building the fundamental tools necessary to create scalable, distributed, and fault-tolerant quantum computer systems.
Left to right: heptagon-kagome device; IBM 27-qubit chip; photoluminescence with above-bandgap excitation in layered diamond; and interior of IBM quantum computing system. Credits: (1) Houck, Princeton; (2), (4) IBM; (3) de Leon & Lyon groups, Princeton.
Quantum advantage: when a quantum computer outperforms a classical computer
Quantum computers have the potential to solve scientific and other kinds of problems that would be practically impossible for traditional supercomputers. However, the current generation—called noisy intermediate-scale quantum—suffers from a high error rate because of noise, faults, and loss of quantum coherence. Quantum bits (qubits), the information-storing elements of quantum computers, are very delicate. Vibrations, temperature changes, electromagnetic waves, and other interactions between qubits and the environment or material defects in qubits can cause quantum decoherence. In quantum decoherence, the qubits lose their information, and the calculation cannot be completed.
Through materials, devices, and software co-design efforts, our team will understand and control material properties to extend coherence time, design devices to generate more robust qubits, optimize algorithms to target specific scientific applications, and develop error-correction solutions. To achieve these goals, we will leverage materials characterization facilities at Brookhaven’s Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) and National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), device design and fabrication capabilities in industry and academia, and IBM’s Qiskit open-source framework for writing quantum programs and its Quantum Prime prototype quantum computer.
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International Quantum Summer 2021 Summit
A virtual event for for professionals, academics, scholars, scientists, and engineers with an interest in quantum information science and related fields. August 11—17, 2021. Hosted by Stony Brook University.
Quantum Information Science and Engineering High-School level Summer School
Virginia Tech in collaboration with C2QA will offer a four-day, virtual summer school for students to explore the basic principles that underlie quantum technologies and gain an appreciation for what novel capabilities are unlocked by quantum mechanics. Educators are welcome to attend. No fee to participate, but registration required by June 30, 2021.
NSLS-II
CFN
EMSL
Shallow Underground Lab
IBM Quantum Prime
Technical capabilities and facilities for creating scalable, distributed, and fault-tolerant quantum computer systems.
Brookhaven National Laboratory’s National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) and Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) provide materials science expertise in conjunction with a comprehensive suite of materials characterization capabilities including the world’s highest energy and spatial resolution synchrotron beamlines and world-class nanoscale resolution including aberration corrected TEM and scanning probe techniques.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL) provides world-class imaging capabilities and the Shallow Underground Laboratory offers a unique low-background facility for materials and device environmental testing and production.
IBM Quantum Prime provides world-leading quantum computing prototyping, integration, testing and benchmarking services.
The Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage Team
Ames Laboratory
Caltech
City College of New York
Columbia University
Harvard University
Howard University
Jefferson Lab
Johns Hopkins University
Montana State University
NASA Ames Research Center
Northwestern University
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
University of California-Santa Barbara
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
University of Pittsburgh
University of Washington
Virginia Tech
