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
Q-NEXT established two national quantum foundries, one at Argonne and the other at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, to serve as quantum factories, contributing to 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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David Awschalom wins global Breakthrough of the Year award
David Awschalom, Q-NEXT Chief Science Officer and the Liew Family Professor of Quantum Engineering and Physics at the University of Chicago, received the prestigious Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year in Physical Sciences for a pioneering body of work that broke the wall between quantum technology, molecules, and proteins. Read More
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Helium lifts new quantum computing concept
A team led by Jacob Covey, who is part of Q-NEXT and is an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago, laid out a new concept that could turn helium’s light weight into the next generation of quantum computers. The design relies on helium-3, an isotope with different quantum properties than the helium-4 used to cool MRI machines and fill party balloons. Once built, the computer could use high-powered lasers as “optical tweezers” to capture and control individual atoms of helium. Read More
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Researchers make materials that support quantum technology
Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who are part of Q-NEXT are engineering material systems that support quantum technology. Chris Anderson and his team are developing materials for quantum transduction — the conversion of quantum information from one form to another. Elizabeth Goldschmidt, Daniel Shoemaker, and colleagues are developing quantum memory technology that stores quantum information for extended periods of time. Read More
In the news
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Uncovering the hidden disorder in silicon quantum computers
From the U.S. Department of Energy: Q-NEXT researchers map the variation in materials to the atom level to scale up silicon qubits Read More
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Neutral atom computers: the physics of Rydberg quantum gates | Mark Saffman
From 632nm: Mark Saffman, professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and chief scientist at Infleqtion, discusses the physics of optical tweezers and Rydberg gates, how neutral atoms perform quantum logic and create entanglement, and why this platform offers advantages in connectivity and scalability. Read More
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Prof. Giulia Galli appointed CNRS Fellow-Ambassador
From the University of Chicago: With the appointment, Galli joins a prestigious cohort of leading figures from the world’s scientific community. Read More