Q-NEXT brings together the world’s leading minds from the national laboratories, universities and technology companies to solve cutting-edge challenges in quantum information science. Led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, Q-NEXT focuses on how to reliably control, store and transmit quantum information at distances that could be as small as the width of a computer chip or as large as the distance between Chicago and San Francisco. Advances in quantum information science have the potential to revolutionize how we process and share information, with profound impacts such as advanced medical imaging, the creation of novel materials and ultrasecure communication networks. Through its partnerships, Q-NEXT is creating an innovation ecosystem that enables the translation of discovery science into technologies for science and society.
We bring together national experts and facilities to solve cutting-edge challenges in quantum information science
Innovative research
Q-NEXT focuses on quantum communication to distribute information robustly over long distances; quantum sensors, enabling ultraprecise measurements; quantum materials for building groundbreaking technologies; and quantum simulators to support the development of quantum computers.
A vibrant quantum ecosystem
National labs, universities and technology companies are partners in Q-NEXT. These organizations bring together world-leading experts in multiple areas of research, top-tier facilities, and cutting-edge projects and collaborations to advance the state of the art in quantum information science and technology.
Quantum foundries
The Q-NEXT team is building two national quantum foundries, one at Argonne and the other at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. These foundries will serve as a quantum factory, producing a robust supply chain of high-quality, standardized materials and devices that will support quantum-enabled applications.
The next-generation workforce
Q-NEXT is working to develop our nation’s future quantum workforce through innovative cooperative training programs with industry, quantum-focused institutional degree programs at the center’s university partners, and re-training certificate programs to build foundational skills for quantum careers.
Q-NEXT by the numbers
3 national labs
11 universities
14 leading technology companies
100 researchers
2 quantum foundries
9 states
Areas advanced by Q-NEXT R&D
Telecommunications
Energy
Financial services
Materials and chemicals
Pharmaceuticals
Transportation and logistics
Featured news
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New technique paves way for hybrid quantum networks
From the University of Chicago: Liang Jiang and his postdoctoral associate Zhaoyou Wang have developed a new scheme to send quantum information through transducers. Using their technique, they found they could send a full qubit’s information through a channel, paving the way for hybrid quantum networks. The results were published in Physical Review X. Read More
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What is quantum coherence?
A quantum explainer: Preserving coherence keeps quantum systems clear and comprehensible. In working to extend coherence, scientists can better sync up quantum objects for high-resolution sensing and complex computation Read More
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Orchestrating the nanoscale: exploring light and matter for quantum science
As part of the Q-NEXT quantum research center, Randall Goldsmith of the University of Wisconsin–Madison studies the interplay of light and matter, harnessing it for quantum information technologies. Read More
In the news
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Molecular engineering and battery recycling: developing new technologies in quantum, medicine and energy
From the Physics World podcast: Nadya Mason, dean of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, talks about how scientists are engineering molecules to develop next-generation quantum technologies, the challenges of quantum information research, and the quantum ecosystem. Read More
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Quantum engineering with Jelena Vučković
On the Zero Knowledge podcast, Stanford University's Jelena Vučković discusses different quantum technology platforms, how researchers are developing chip-scale quantum systems, and the implications these technologies have for communication and cryptography. Read More
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Boeing hits key milestone on path to quantum first in orbit
From Payload: HRL Laboratories has built a space-hardened quantum payload and demonstrated it on the ground — a key milestone in Boeing’s push to demonstrate the first quantum entanglement swap in space. Read More