qubits
-
The consequences of removing the world largest dam, and building a quantum computer using sound waves
From the Science Podcast: University of Chicago's Andrew Cleland discusses his work on using the phonon as the basis of quantum computing. Read More
-
Embracing imperfection for quantum technologies
From Physics Today: Q-NEXT Director David Awschalom co-writes a comprehensive rundown of the use of atomic defects as qubits. These solid-state spin qubits are unlocking applications in nanoscale quantum sensing and are at the forefront of creating distributed, long-distance entanglement that could enable a quantum internet. Read More
-
How splitting sound might lead to a new kind of quantum computer
From The Conversation: Andrew Cleland of the University of Chicago writes about using beam splitters to explore the quantum properties of phonons. His findings could lead researchers to use phonons to build a new type of quantum computer. Read More
-
How spectator qubits can reduce noise in quantum computers
From AZo Quantum: In a Q&A, the University of Chicago's Hannes Bernien talks about his research on noise-reduction in quantum computers through spectator qubits. Read More
-
‘Noise-cancelling’ qubits developed at UChicago to minimize errors in quantum computers
Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a new method to constantly monitor the noise around a quantum system and adjust the qubits, in real time, to minimize error. The approach, described in "Science," relies on spectator qubits: a set of qubits embedded in the computer with the sole purpose of measuring outside noise rather than storing data. The information gathered by such spectator qubits can then be used to cancel out noise in vital data-processing qubits. Read More
-
Cross-institutional collaboration leads to new control over quantum dot qubits
From the Chicago Quantum Exchange: Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, HRL Laboratories, and University of New South Wales collaborate to better control silicon quantum dot qubits, allowing for higher-quality fabrication and use in wider applications. Read More
-
Versatile neutral atoms emerge as an intriguing quantum computing platform
From Physics Today: The University of Wisconsin–Madison's Mark Saffman report the first demonstrations of multistep quantum algorithms in arrays of rubidium atoms. Read More
-
Shielding qubits with chemistry
From APS Physics: Q-NEXT researchers have identified a way of manipulating the spin states of molecular qubits by placing them in an asymmetric chemical environment. The resulting spin states are more stable against noise from fluctuating magnetic fields than those in symmetric environments. Read More
-
For Danna Freedman, an impasse is an invitation
From MIT News: Q-NEXT collaborator Danna Friedman of MIT embraces the most challenging moments of her work to design molecules for quantum information science. Read More
-
A one-stop shop for quantum sensing materials
Researchers have created extremely thin membranes of pure diamond in which carbon atoms are replaced nitrogen. These defects connect to neighboring atomic vacancies,creating unusual quantum systems for storing and processing quantum information. Read More
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Silicon Chip Offers New Way to Probe Quantum Materials in Strong Magnetic Fields
Scientists have created a silicon chip that can detect the electrical behavior of very small materials by using very high-frequency waves. The chip is made only from silicon and other non-superconducting materials and still performs very well when cooled from room temperature down to about 4 Kelvin. Read More
-
Making quantum bits ready to use again much sooner
Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Intel have found that a simple electrical pulse can quickly push a quantum dot qubit out of a latched state and return it to its starting condition with very high reliability. Read More
-
Q-NEXT-developed open-source software receives 2026 R&D 100 award
SeQUeNCe, a free, open-source software developed by Argonne scientists with Q-NEXT support, is one of seven Argonne projects that received a 2026 R&D 100 Award. The SeQUeNCe software lets researchers test how quantum networks might work before building them. Read More
-
Researchers generate spontaneous magnons that synchronize with external signals
Researchers at Argonne and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign demonstrate a method for generating stable ripples in magnetic materials called magnons. The work opens avenues for information processing in microelectronics and quantum devices. Read More
-
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
-
Color centers in high-purity diamond
Researchers mapped how electron irradiation makes defects inside diamond, finding that creating more vacancies does not always produce more NV centers. Too many vacancies can form unwanted defects. This result can inform advances in quantum sensing. Read More
-
Containing multitudes: SLAC scientist collaborates to create scalable qubits
At SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Q-NEXT collaborator Shannon Harvey develops quantum dots — a mass-producible type of qubit. Driven by curiosity about nature and how things work, Harvey draws on her facility for working at the nanoscale. Read More