Quantum Information Science and Technology
As one of the frontiers of science in the 21st century, quantum information science (QIS) affords exceptional potential for secure communications (quantum networking), the ability to perform calculations beyond the capacity of classical computers, and sensing with unprecedented accuracy (quantum sensing). Brookhaven National Laboratory and its partners have employed core capabilities in fundamental physics, computing, and instrumentation to create a breakthrough in quantum networking by demonstrating the longest distance network in the United States (to date). Outstanding materials characterization facilities support researchers seeking to optimize their qubit designs. At Brookhaven Lab, we leverage our expertise in materials, instrumentation, networking, codes, and algorithms to develop infrastructure that will enable scalable, large, and effective quantum systems.
Expanding the Quantum Network
A reliable, scalable quantum network that sustains entanglement, where particles share properties despite being separated by distance, is a core QIS challenge being pursued via a global research race. Brookhaven Lab and its partners Stony Brook University and ESnet have teamed to build the nation’s largest quantum entanglement distribution network. Photonic quantum technologies and network infrastructure are the basis of our work. Brookhaven Lab’s quantum network testbed features uniquely portable entanglement sources. connected to an existing communications fiber network. The first nodes between Brookhaven and Stony Brook then Yale University are being developed and will constitute the basis of a larger regional and an eventual national network. Brookhaven Lab’s quantum network capabilities offer:
- A testbed for new quantum networking devices and protocols
- Novel quantum devices and sensors
- Research partnerships in quantum networking.
An experimental setup used as part of an entanglement demonstration between the Brookhaven Lab and Stony Brook University quantum network testbed.
Materials Characterization Capabilities
Brookhaven Lab is a nexus for materials research activities, which aim at making better qubits and improving quantum technologies more broadly. We are leading a codesign team integrating material design, characterization with hardware, and software development by partnering with academia and industry.
Through our expertise and world-leading capabilities in materials characterization at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) and the Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN), two Department of Energy Office of Science User Facilities, we enable in-depth investigations of material properties for currently existing devices and of next-generation materials.
By combining our experiments with theoretical calculations, we provide insight about materials characteristics that currently limit QIS hardware performance.
- Mapping of defects, impurities, and elemental distributions
- Measurement of surface and interface roughness
- Characterization of the electronic and magnetic structures, orders, and dynamics
- Synthesis and development of novel quantum materials
The sample chamber of the Soft Inelastic X-ray Scattering (SIX) beamline at NSLS-II allows scientists to uncover the emergent properties of their quantum materials using a beam of ultrabright x-rays.
Low-energy electron microscopy image of graphene flake grown on copper foil, taken at the CFN aberration-corrected low-energy electron microscope / photoemission electron microscope at NSLS-II.
