Quantum computing and networking

WQI supports robust experimental activity in three of the most promising platforms for scalable quantum computing: trapped neutral atoms, semiconducting quantum dots, and superconducting integrated circuits. Research efforts are focused on understanding and mitigating decoherence, developing scalable approaches to qubit control and measurement, and engineering topologically protected states that provide error correction at the hardware level. At the same time, WQI faculty collaborate across disciplines on the development of hybrid approaches and quantum networking schemes that will enable a distributed quantum processor involving localized nodes linked together by “flying” photonic qubits. Nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are an essential resource in quantum networking protocols, as they combine excellent quantum coherence with optical addressability. WQI also supports robust theoretical activity in quantum computing algorithm development for qubit- and qudit-based quantum computing platforms. Research includes development of quantum computing algorithms for molecular dynamics, near-threshold scattering, and global optimization with applications to molecular structure determination, quantum processor design, and integer factorization. This research involves interdisciplinary collaborations between experimentalists and theorists at WQI and with industry.

Neutral Atom Qubits

fluorescence averages, seen as intensity of blue, is shown for an 11 x 11 qubit array, with control and target sites circled

Semiconducting qubits

Electrons in silicon have relatively long spin coherence times, which motivates research into the use of quantum dots in Si/SiGe for use as prototype qubits.

a grayscale image of a scanning electron micrograph of one of the double quantum dot qubits

Superconducting qubits

A superconducting qubit chip, a grid of pinks and blues, is shown

Algorithmic design for quantum computation

picture shows equations of quantum algorithms