Happy New Year from the LQC

 The Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) launched the Qubit Collaboratory (LQC) two years ago to accelerate disruptive qubit research, create innovative workforce development programs, and establish deep, collaborative partnerships to tackle some of the hardest open problems in Quantum Information Science (QIS). This past year saw serious improvements to our infrastructure both at LPS and with our partners, formation of new partnerships, and the first outputs of our research programs. Let’s take some time to celebrate our successes and look to the future.

National Context

The LQC supports the goals of the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) and the National Strategy for QIS. 2022 was a big year for national quantum policy with the President signing two directives: an Executive Order on Enhancing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee and a National Security Memorandum on Quantum Computing. In particular, National Security Memorandum 10 (NSM-10) promotion of QIS Research and Development (R&D), an expansion of education and workforce programs, and a focus on developing and strengthening partnerships with industry, academic institutions, allies, and like-minded nations, completely aligned with the LQC’s mission and strategy. The LPS co-chaired Workforce Working Group of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Subcommittee on QIS also released the first Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) Workforce Strategy in 2022. We are excited to continue to support the overall goals of the NQI.

To remove barriers to research in quantum computing, the Army Research Office (ARO) and the LQC created the Qubits for Computing Foundry. Based on community input, this program has launched pilot qubit foundry programs, starting with Lincoln Labs and more foundries to come. Now, professors can request working qubits so they can focus on design, measurement, and other aspects of quantum computing hardware research rather than fabrication. 

Improving the Lab

Last year we also celebrated the completion of two renovated labs at LPS for use by all Collaboratory projects.  Our new e-beam laboratory with a 100 keV high resolution lithography tool enables LQC devices to be created with resolutions approaching 10-nanometers.  The new Super-Semi Lab provides a state-of-the-art measurement lab with four dilution refrigerators in a variety of configurations geared towards supporting current and future Collaboratory projects. New equipment installed at LQC partner labs at the University of Maryland, University of Arkansas, MIT, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Sandia National Labs, and HRL will create further capability across our LQC network.

Collaboratory Research

The LQC model for distributed collaboration builds off of the over two-decades of internal and sponsored research programs in quantum computing at LPS. The initial research thrusts presented in the ARO/LQC Collaborative Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) are the gateway to working with LPS. LQC teams have made significant progress within the SPIN QUBITS, FAST; MORE EPITAXY, BETTER QUBITS?; and VOLTAGE CONTROLLABLE SUPERCONDUCTING QUBITS; and BEYOND MOORE, BEFORE SHOR research thrusts. Read more about some of this great work here.

Remember, the LQC is different. Within our research thrusts, we start with the problems that, if solved, could be disruptive to QIST. Then, together, we look to come up with ideas and research directions to make progress toward solving those problems in a collaborative manner.  

Please check out the entry point of working with the LQC through the ARO/LPS LQC BAA, which allows for collaborative research between government, industry, national labs, and academic partners to pursue hard problems together. New LQC Collaboratory projects will be launched this year as we evaluate new White Papers and Proposals. 

LQC Highlights 

LQC Researcher Presentations at the APS March Meeting:

LQC researchers had a significant presence at the 2022 APS March Meeting. LQC researchers co-authored over 30 presentations of their research to the community.  Read More for a list of those presentations and access to the presentation abstracts.  

LQC Celebrated World Quantum Day:
April 14, 2022 marked the first global celebration of World Quantum Day. The LQC joined in this initiative along with scientists from more than 65 countries. Read More. We look forward to continuing this tradition in 2023.

Second Summer of Quantum Short Course:
The LQC successfully hosted its second annual Summer of Quantum Short Course July 25 – August 5, 2022, which was free of cost to participants. With much growth from its inaugural year, the program received over 360 global applicants. Through the virtual course, participants received an introduction to quantum computing from algorithms to physical implementations, immersed in virtual lab tours, and engaged in networking with their peers and instructors.  Read More.  Stay tuned for the 3rd iteration of the course, coming soon!

Coming 2023, Summer of Quantum Short Course

 Come work at the LQC

Our success depends on our people. The LQC is still actively hiring principal investigators, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and interns. We are always looking for diverse, top talent to join us. Working at LPS can take the form of government, University of Maryland, and industry positions at multiple skill levels. Learn more about our open positions here. 

Partner with Us

Let’s stay connected! If you are interested in our work, we have several ways in which you can partner with us.  Read More.  We look forward to engaging with you and furthering QIS research in 2023!

Drs. Charlie Tahan and Christopher Richardson