QSC

Banner image: Quantum materials may host exotic quasiparticles and promise applications in quantum technologies. This picture depicts a quantum spin liquid, one example of quantum materials studied by Purdue researchers in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Purdue University is a core partner in the Quantum Science Center (QSC), one of five quantum information science (QIS) research centers supported by the Department of Energy under the National Quantum Initiative (NQI). Launched in October 2020, the QSC is headquartered at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and funded for $115 million over five years, with more than $11 million for Purdue researchers.

The QSC is dedicated to overcoming key roadblocks in quantum state resilience, controllability, and ultimately the scalability of quantum technologies to realize the quantum future. The center helps strengthen national security; ensure economic competitiveness; and facilitate breakthroughs in fundamental physics, materials science, and energy production and distribution.

It focuses on three main thrusts and goals:

1. Quantum materials:

Especially developing topological quantum materials that may host exotic quasiparticles known as “non-Abelian anyons” that could help make more robust “topologically protected” qubits, to overcome the fragility of the quantum state.

2. Quantum algorithms and simulation:

Developing algorithms, as well as experimentally-implemented “quantum simulations” — particularly those that exploit topological systems.

3. Quantum devices and sensors:

Developing, optimizing and demonstrating new quantum sensing devices and systems, including supporting algorithms, to measure exceptionally weak signals. Such quantum sensors could aid the search for the elusive “dark matter” that is fundamental to our universe, as well as for the “non-Abelian anyons” in topological quantum materials.

In the QSC’s first year, a team of a dozen Purdue researchers, from various College of Engineering and College of Science disciplines, have made important progress toward reaching these goals. Advances have included preparing and characterizing several key anyon material platforms; developing and combining artificial intelligence (machine learning) and quantum algorithms to study quantum materials and devices; developing novel magnon-enabled hybrid quantum sensing device platforms and superconducting circuits for quantum materials characterization; and designing a “Windchime” platform of mechanical sensors to detect dark matter.

Over the next year, QSC researchers aim to build on this progress. They are looking to demonstrate capabilities important to sensing such key objects as anyons and dark matter particles; develop physics-driven machine learning approaches to optimize quantum sensors; and perform various related quantum simulations.

Integral to the activities of the QSC is preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers, by engaging students and postdoctoral associates in research activities. These initiatives include an annual summer school (first held in 2021), and a postdoctoral and graduate student association that hosts regular career development seminars. Further, by working closely with such industry partners as ColdQuanta, IBM and Microsoft, the QSC strongly couples its basic science foundation and technology development pathways to transition applications to the private sector.