Northwestern University’s Center for Molecular Quantum Transduction (CMQT) has received a new $14.5 million reinvestment from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), extending the centre’s quantum information funding for another four years.
Since its founding in August 2020, CMQT researchers made significant progress in understanding quantum transduction, the exchange of information between quantum systems.
For example, CMQT researchers published more than 60 peer-reviewed studies on key issues related to quantum information research.
The renewed funding will enable further contributions to the emerging field.
“We are energised by this award and eager to build our portfolio of unique contributions to the rapidly growing field of quantum science in the state of Illinois and around the world,” said Northwestern’s Michael Wasielewski, CMQT director.
“CMQT research aims to achieve quantum-to-quantum transduction, an essential element of quantum information science.”
Quantum information is at the forefront of fundamental research
CMQT joins ten institutions to receive funding in this round of Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) awards.
Funded by the DOE’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences, all EFRCs address grand scientific challenges at the forefront of fundamental energy science research.
At Northwestern, the renewed funding is complemented by the University’s existing contributions to quantum information science.
“The future of quantum information science is extremely promising, offering the potential to revolutionise artificial intelligence, information technology, security, manufacturing, transportation and logistics,” explained Eric Perreault, Northwestern’s vice president for research.
“At the same time, quantum is here today, with Northwestern already making incredible contributions to the field.”
Accelerating new quantum breakthroughs
The award will help CMQT researchers build upon their recent breakthroughs in landmark coherence times and stabilities of molecular qubits and quantum materials, as well as the ability to create hybrid qubits and resonant photonic architectures.
An interdisciplinary collaboration among Northwestern chemists and physicists also developed a new method to create custom qubits by chemically synthesising molecules to encode quantum information into their magnetic, or ‘spin’ states, an advance that allows atomistic control over the structure.
As CMQT moves forward, its approach includes both ensemble-level studies to rapidly understand interactions and the development of single-molecule methods to interface molecular quantum information science with other platforms.
CMQT will also leverage cutting-edge physical measurement techniques with high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution to understand how to transition quantum-to-quantum transduction from the ensemble to the single-molecule level.
