News
Quantum compiler co-created by Robert Rand named distinguished paper at POPL 21
UChicago Department of Computer Science
January 21, 2021
A new compiler, which converts human-readable code to the explicit instructions that computing machinery, classical or quantum, need to operate, received one of seven Distinguished Paper awards this month at the 2021 Symposium on Principles of Programming Languages (POPL), one of the top conferences in programming languages research. VOQC, developed by UChicago CS assistant professor Robert Rand and collaborators at the University of Maryland, is the first verified quantum optimizer — a tool for rewriting programs to make them faster while guaranteeing that the program’s meaning is preserved.
Pivotal discovery in quantum and classical information processing
Argonne National Laboratory
January 13, 2021
Working with theorists in the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, researchers in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have achieved a scientific control that is a first of its kind. They demonstrated a novel approach that allows real-time control of the interactions between microwave photons and magnons, potentially leading to advances in electronic devices and quantum signal processing.
Bill Fefferman receives NSF CAREER Award to find quantum computing’s icebreaker
UChicago Computer Science Department
December 30, 2020
Despite incredible promise, the quantum architectures available today remain limited in scale and handicapped by error and noise, falling short thus far of the killer app that would launch a new era of computing. With a new NSF CAREER Award, UChicago Computer Science Assistant Professor Bill Fefferman will pursue the theory and algorithms needed to leap this hurdle.
At the Chicago Quantum Exchange in 2020: A Year in Review
Chicago Quantum Exchange
December 18, 2020
Quantum information science had a banner year in the U.S. with federal agencies awarding more than $700M to support large-scale scientific endeavors, significant advancements in quantum information science, and the launch of programs that will help the nation retain global leadership in this critical field. During 2020, Chicago Quantum Exchange members and scientists were awarded new federal centers and institutes, made advances in quantum science, added 13 new corporate partners, and initiated new programs to prepare a quantum workforce.
Fermilab and partners achieve sustained, high-fidelity quantum teleportation
Fermilab
December 15, 2020
This month, scientists at Fermilab, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory, and their partners took a significant step in the direction of realizing a quantum internet.
In a paper published in PRX Quantum, the team presents for the first time a demonstration of a sustained, long-distance (44 kilometers of fiber) teleportation of qubits of photons (quanta of light) with fidelity greater than 90%. The qubits were teleported over a fiber-optic network using state-of-the-art single-photon detectors and off-the-shelf equipment.
New analysis paves way for more sensitive quantum sensors
UChicago News
November 30, 2020
New theoretical quantum sensing research at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering harnesses non-Hermitian dynamics to develop a new type of quantum sensor that has the potential to be exponentially more sensitive than extant technology. Researchers hope to eventually employ quantum sensors to uses like disease diagnosis and earthquake detection, and the new research presents a way to build more efficient and powerful sensors for a variety of applications.
Chicago Quantum Summit highlights new U.S. quantum centers, economic opportunities
Chicago Quantum Exchange
November 23, 2020
The third annual Chicago Quantum Summit, hosted virtually at the University of Chicago Nov. 11-13 by the Chicago Quantum Exchange, brought together more than 20 speakers from across the nation and attracted more than 1,000 attendees from 42 countries. This year’s summit comes on the heels of the announcement of five new U.S. Department of Energy National Quantum Information Science Research Centers and three new National Science Foundation Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, authorized by the National Quantum Initiative Act.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at UChicago event about impact of quantum research
UChicago News
November 20, 2020
On Nov. 12, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker joined Juan de Pablo, UChicago VP for National Laboratories, Science Strategy, Innovation, and Global Initiatives for a fireside chat on the potential impact of quantum science on the regional economy on Nov. 12. The discussion was part of the Chicago Quantum Summit, a three-day event hosted virtually at the University of Chicago where experts discussed the future of quantum information science and technology, developing a quantum workforce, and the applications of emerging QIS research.
In new step toward quantum tech, scientists synthesize ‘bright’ quantum bits
University of Chicago, Northwestern University
November 12, 2020
An interdisciplinary team of physicists and chemists at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University has developed a new method to create tailor-made qubits: by chemically synthesizing molecules that encode quantum information into their magnetic, or “spin,” states.
Chicago Quantum Exchange welcomes six new partners focused on advancing research, building a quantum economy
Chicago Quantum Exchange
November 13, 2020
The leading quantum research hub expands to include more than 20 partners, including additional Chicago-based organizations. New partners include Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS), Hamamatsu Photonics, Protiviti, Quantum Machines, and Super.tech. The Chicago Quantum Exchange has also partnered with P33, a private sector led non-profit dedicated to driving innovation leadership for the Chicago region.
Pritzker says state will make good on $200M research investment
Crain’s Chicago Business
November 12, 2020
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker spoke today at the Chicago Quantum Summit, where he said that despite looming budget challenges made worse by the coronavirus and voters’ rejection of new income-tax plan, the state will make good on its commitment to provide $200 million for quantum computing research at the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Quantum Computing: A Bubble Ready to Burst?
PC Magazine
November 12, 2020
David Awschalom, UChicago and Argonne scientist and Chicago Quantum Exchange director, shares information about Argonne’s quantum loop testbed and discusses what the future might hold for quantum computing.
UChicago scientists turn IBM computer into a quantum material
University of Chicago
November 12, 2020
Scientists from the University of UChicago Physical Science Division programmed an IBM quantum computer to become a type of material called an exciton condensate. The pioneering experiment could help design energy-efficient materials
Fermilab is partner in Quantum Science Center based at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Fermilab News
November 9, 2020
Fermilab is a partner in Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Quantum Science Center, which hopes to develop a fundamentally new kind of qubit that could lead to next-generation quantum computers with vastly improved capabilities. The partnership will advance research in the design of topological qubits, the exploration of exotic quantum materials, and the development of an electronic quantum simulator that can run in extreme conditions.
Scientists launch quest to develop quantum sensors for probing quantum materials
Phys.Org
October 28, 2020
The new Center for Quantum Sensing and Quantum Materials, based at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will develop and apply quantum sensing methods to study quantum materials. The Center is highly collaborative and will include experts from UIUC, the SLAC National Laboratory, Stanford University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Catalyst Conversations: Launching a Pioneering Quantum Startup
Illinois Science and Technology Coalition
October 27, 2020
Super.tech, a company founded by Pravav Gokhalean, doctoral student at UChicago CS, joined the quantum computing startup ecosystem with the mission of creating a multilayer full-stack architecture for quantum computing. In this Catalyst Conversation, we hear from Gokhalean about quantum startups and more.
Quantum Semiconductors Developed by Pritzker Researchers
October 28, 2020
A recent PME study confirmed that silicon carbide is a viable material for constructing quantum nodes with a long memory capacity. The study may have implications for further quantum internet applications such as a Chicago quantum internet, currently under development by the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory.
Chicago Quantum Summit to foster national center collaborations, build quantum economy
October 29, 2020
The third annual Chicago Quantum Summit, taking place virtually Nov. 11-13, 2020, will convene technology experts from around the country to forge new partnerships amid an exciting year for quantum research. The annual event is dedicated to setting the stage for next steps in quantum science and technology.
What’s Next for Quantum Science?
Northwestern Office for Research
October 8, 2020
Northwestern faculty bring research firepower to Argonne’s elite Q-NEXT hub
Race to Create First “Unhackable” Network Officially Begins in Chicago
Arcs Foundation
October 13, 2020
The internet of the future is here, opening a world of possibilities in communication, innovation, and technology.
UChicago professor Hannes Bernien wins International Quantum Technology Young Scientist Award
IOP Publishing
October 23, 2020
University of Chicago PME faculty members Hannes Bernien received IOP Publishing’s International Quantum Technology ‘young scientist’ award. He was nominated for “the development of methods to control quantum systems over long distances and scaling them to large qubit numbers.”
Surprising Communication Between Atoms Could Improve Quantum Computing
University of Wisconsin-Madison News
October 23, 2020
Physicists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered novel ways to generate entangled particles. Their research shows that atoms can communicate at further distances than previously observed. Their discoveries, published in Physics Review A, could be applied to quantum computing and communication.
Nationwide quantum training program selects third cohort of students
October 20, 2020
The Chicago Quantum Exchange-managed QISE-NET program has accepted 25 graduate students from across the country. The NSF-funded program, which bridges academia and industry to train tomorrow’s quantum engineers, is also accepting applications for its fourth cohort.
The Quantum Internet Will Blow Your Mind. Here’s What It Will Look Like
Discover Magazine
October 3, 2020
The next generation of the Internet will rely on revolutionary new tech — allowing for unhackable networks and information that travels faster than the speed of light. Chicago Quantum Exchange Director David Awschalom comments on progress toward a quantum internet.
NSF Convergence grant for quantum biosensing could lead to game-changing medical diagnostics
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
October 7, 2020
A new National Science Foundation grant will fund a research partnership between Asst. Prof. Peter Maurer at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and industry that will combine quantum engineering with life sciences to work toward game-changing medical technologies.