National QIS Research Centers
National QIS Research Centers constitute the first large-scale QIS effort that crosses the technical breadth of SC. The aim of the Centers, coupled with DOE’s core research portfolio, is to create and to steward the ecosystem needed to foster and facilitate advancement of QIS, with major anticipated national impact on national security, economic competitiveness, and America’s continued leadership in science.
Each Center incorporates a collaborative research team spanning multiple scientific and engineering disciplines and multiple institutions. In addition, each Center seamlessly integrates the science and technology innovation chain to accelerate progress in QIS research and development, to facilitate technology transfer, and to build the quantum workforce of the future.
Additional Information about the National QIS Research Centers can be found at https://nqisrc.org/.
Q-NEXT · Next Generation Quantum Science and Engineering
Director: David Awschalom
Lead Institution: Argonne National Laboratory
Q-NEXT will create a focused, connected ecosystem to deliver quantum interconnects, to establish national foundries, and to demonstrate communication links, networks of sensors, and simulation testbeds. In addition to enabling scientific innovation, Q-NEXT will build a quantum-smart workforce, create quantum standards by building a National Quantum Devices Database, and provide pathways to the practical commercialization of quantum technology by embedding industry in all aspects of its operations and incentivizing start-ups.
C2QA · Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage
Director: Andrew Houck
Lead Institution: Brookhaven National Laboratory
C2QA aims to overcome the limitations of today’s noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) computer systems to achieve quantum advantage for scientific computations in high-energy, nuclear, chemical and condensed matter physics. The integrated five-year goal of C2QA is to deliver a factor of 10 improvement in each of software optimization, underlying materials and device properties, and quantum error correction, and to ensure these improvements combine to provide a factor of 1,000 improvement in appropriate computation metrics.
SQMS · Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center
Director: Anna Grassellino
Lead Institution: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
The primary mission of SQMS is to achieve transformational advances in the major crosscutting challenge of understanding and eliminating the decoherence mechanisms in superconducting 2D and 3D devices, with the goal of enabling construction and deployment of superior quantum systems for computing and sensing. In addition to the scientific advances, SQMS will target tangible deliverables in the form of unique foundry capabilities and quantum testbeds for materials, physics, algorithms, and simulations that could broadly serve the national QIS ecosystem.
QSA · Quantum Systems Accelerator
Director: Bert de Jong
Lead Institution: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
QSA catalyzes national leadership in quantum information science to co-design the algorithms, quantum devices, and engineering solutions needed to deliver certified quantum advantage in scientific applications. QSA brings together dozens of scientists who are pioneers of many of today’s unique quantum engineering and fabrication capabilities.
QSC · The Quantum Science Center
Director: Travis Humble
Lead Institution: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
QSC researchers are designing materials that enable topological quantum computing; implementing new quantum sensors to characterize topological states and detect dark matter; and designing quantum algorithms and simulations to provide a greater understanding of quantum materials, chemistry, and quantum field theories. By maintaining close coordination with industry partners, the QSC transitions next-generation technologies to the private sector. A key component of the QSC’s efforts to develop these technologies and overcome long-standing quantum research roadblocks is the professional development of early-career scientists and engineers. These efforts position the center to advance scientific discovery and enable new quantum applications that will radically accelerate secure, energy-efficient computing and maintain US leadership in fundamental and applied science.
