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 trapped-atom qubit technology translates to industry-ready quantum computing product
A team of engineers and physicists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison led by Mikhail Kats and Mark Saffman have developed an ingenious method for trapping atoms of different species to make qubits. Capturing two types of neutral atoms next to each other, the method creates interleaved grids of cesium and rubidium atoms that can be used as qubits in quantum computing and quantum sensing. The setup is much simpler and more cost-effective than previous efforts to isolate and form interleaved grids of atoms and is already being used in early-stage quantum devices. Read More
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Stoichiometric crystal shows promise in quantum memory
In recent years, rare earth atoms in solid materials at cryogenic temperatures have shown to be promising for quantum memory. As part of this inquiry, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have identified favorable properties in a stoichiometric europium material with a layered structure. They report the growth and characterization of NaEu(IO₃)₄, a rare earth material that may have future implications in quantum memory. Read More
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Creating color centers for quantum science
Argonne scientist Benjamin Pingault, a researcher at the Q-NEXT quantum center, creates color centers — qubits made by manipulating single atoms within a crystal — and emphasizes the importance of creativity and adaptability for fruitful collaboration. Read More
In the news
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Quantum Revolution: Pranav Gokhale, general manager of computing at Infleqtion
From The Bear Roars podcast: Pranav Gokhale — co-founder of Super.tech and a key leader at Infleqtion, talks about his lifelong passion for quantum information and discusses how quantum technology is transforming national defense, finance, biotech and communications. Read More
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A new study provides insights into cleaning up noise in quantum entanglement
From the University of Chicago: Researchers at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Microsoft have shown that it is fundamentally impossible to design a single one-size-fits-all protocol to counteract the noise of entangled states. Read More
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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