Convergent Research: NSF/DOE Quantum Science Summer School

摘要：20世纪前几十年量子力学的发明给看似完整的经典世界带来了奇异和怪异。第一次量子革命促成了20世纪惊人的技术发展，产生了现代电子产品和巨大的社会影响。今天，世界正在见证第二次量子革命的早期阶段，量子力学的聚合元素，如量子叠加或量子纠缠，将在量子计算、量子密码学或量子传感方面得到广泛的实际应用。实现这一目标的主要障碍之一是缺乏专门的劳动力。所要求的资格包括对量子力学的深刻理解，但也包括微波电子学，低温和超高真空技术，量子材料，先进计算机编程和算法优化等融合领域的实践知识，以及设备和系统工程的要素。现有的教育项目通常只专注于上述一个或两个领域。该项目通过将在量子科学各个方面经验丰富的跨学科实践者与来自美国各地的一组精选研究生以每年一次的暑期学校的形式聚集在一起，有助于填补教育未来量子革命干部的空白。文化和智力上的挑战来自于需要让学生掌握与量子革命相关的多个领域的实践知识，但也来自于培养他们的学习能力和保持未来进步所需的好奇心的愿望。学生与该领域领导者的互动是基于直接演讲、教程和讲座的混合，互动活动包括圆桌讨论、学生演讲和量子技术实际应用课程。来自不同学科的演讲者之间的互动，从凝聚态物理到量子化学和工程，有望在领域的边界产生新的想法。技术摘要：正如20世纪20年代的第一次量子革命导致了今天的现代数字和电信时代，量子科学的现状表明，第二次量子革命即将到来，预计不仅对我们对自然世界的基本理解，而且对计算，能源和全球连接产生广泛的影响。这一发展的一个关键组成部分是教育下一代科学家了解这一“量子飞跃”的原则、方法和目标。这是由于观察到快速发展的量子行业正面临着高素质劳动力的严重短缺。量子科学教育的新方法尤其重要，因为这一领域涉及数学、化学、物理、材料科学和工程等学科的广度。作为启动这一教育努力的一部分，该项目为研究生提供了一个暑期学校，作为一个直接的工具，提供深入沉浸在融合量子科学和技术的新兴领域。这次聚会的方式是一个暑期学校，在这里学生们可以接触到科学和技术教育，而不是他们在传统的课堂环境或典型的会议/研讨会中所接触到的。讲师专注于这些主题的教学讲座，而不是研讨会式的研究报告。下午的会议旨在让学生和演讲者参与互动活动。计划由演讲者和组织者担任科学和职业相关会议的主题小组成员。鼓励讲师参加几天的活动，而不是一两天，以包括来自不同学科的讲师之间的跨学科思想“授粉”的额外好处。该计划结合了课堂式教育，研究研讨会，多种互动形式和活跃的讨论论坛等方面。为期两周的课程鼓励学生和讲师之间以及学生自己之间进行正式和非正式的讨论。

Non-technical Abstract: The invention of quantum mechanics in the early decades of 20th century introduced strangeness and spookiness to the seemingly complete classical world. This first quantum revolution enabled the amazing technological developments of the 20th century, resulting e.g. in modern electronics and immense societal impact. Today the world is witnessing the early days of the second quantum revolution, where the convergent elements of quantum mechanics like quantum superposition or quantum entanglement will lead to widespread practical applications in quantum computing, quantum cryptography or quantum sensing. One of the major obstacles in achieving this goal is lack of specialized workforce. The required qualifications comprise deep understanding of quantum mechanics, but also include practical knowledge of the convergent fields of microwave electronics, cryogenic and ultra-high vacuum technologies, quantum materials, advanced computer programming and algorithm optimization, with elements of device and system engineering. Existing educational programs usually specialize in only one or two of the above areas. This project helps fill the void in educating the future cadre for quantum revolution by putting together a transdisciplinary group of practitioners experienced in various aspects of quantum science with a group of select graduate students from across the US in the form of an annually recurring Summer School. The cultural and intellectual challenge comes from a need to equip students with practical knowledge of multiple fields relevant to quantum revolution, but also from the desire to foster their ability to learn and maintain the curiosity needed for future progress. The interactions of students with leaders in the field are based on a mixture of direct presentations, tutorials and talks, with interactive activities including round table discussions, student presentations, and courses in practical use of quantum technology. Interactions between speakers from various disciplines, from condensed matter physics through quantum chemistry and engineering, are expected to generate new ideas at the boundaries of fields.Technical Abstract:As the first quantum revolution of the 1920s led to the modern digital and telecommunications age of the present day, the current position of quantum science suggests that a second quantum revolution is at hand which is expected to have wide reaching implications not only for our fundamental understanding of the natural world but also for computing, energy, and global connectivity. A critical component of this development is the education of the next generation of scientists in the principles, methods, and goals of this "Quantum Leap". This is motivated by the observation that the rapidly growing quantum industry is facing an acute shortage of uniquely qualified workforce. New approaches to education in quantum science are particularly important given the breadth of disciplines brought together in this area- reaching across mathematics, chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering. As part of initiating this educational effort, this project puts forth a summer school for graduate students as a direct tool to provide an in-depth immersion in the emerging field of convergent quantum science and technology. The approach of this gathering is a summer school wherein students are exposed to education in science and technology beyond what they could be exposed to in traditional classroom settings or typical conferences/workshops. Lecturers focus on pedagogical lectures on these topics rather than seminar style research presentations. Afternoon sessions are aimed at interactive activities involving students and presenters. Themed panels with speakers and organizers serving as panel members for both scientific and career related sessions are planned. The lecturers are encouraged to participate in several days rather than one or two days, to include the additional benefit of cross-disciplinary "pollination" of ideas between lecturers from different disciplines. The program combines aspects of classroom style education, research seminars, multitude of interactive forms and an active discussion forum. The two week duration for the school encourages both formal and informal discussion between students and lecturers as well as among the students themselves.