RII Track-4:NSF: Exploring van der Waals Superconducting Josephson Junctions for Robust Qubits

随着各国在快速发展的量子技术领域展开竞争，像怀俄明州这样的农村州必须加强他们在量子信息科学（QIS）方面的研究和教育能力。量子信息系统的一个重要分支是量子计算。近年来，我们看到了跨各种平台的量子计算机原型的成功创建。然而，它们的实际应用仍然受到限制。当前基于超导体的量子计算机面临的一个主要挑战是噪声干扰，它很容易破坏量子态。受此启发，怀俄明大学的研究人员推测，二维（2D）材料，表现出单晶性质到原子尺度，可能为下一代量子计算机铺平道路。在这项奖学金的支持下，PI将获得宝贵的培训经验，扩展他在设计和表征超导量子比特方面的技能。同时，这将促进怀俄明大学基础设施的发展，在奖学金结束后带来的好处将持续很长时间。NSF EPSCoR RII Track-4研究人员项目将为怀俄明大学的助理教授和博士后研究员提供一个独特的机会，与劳伦斯利弗莫尔国家实验室（LLNL）的量子计算领先专家合作。这项研究的主要目标是设计、创建和表征完全由二维材料构建的超导量子比特。这一努力可能预示着新一代量子计算机的到来，其标志是更高的保真度和大大增加的相干时间——这是全球量子计算社区热切期待的重大进步。在怀俄明大学，研究团队准备利用多种方法，从二维材料的制备和处理到二维超导约瑟夫森结的制造和表征。与LLNL的密切合作提供了最关键的优势。通过访问LLNL的世界级量子计算试验台，怀俄明州的团队将接受培训，并获得超导量子比特设计、创建和表征方面的实践经验。虽然该奖学金的直接成果不可否认是诱人的，但它对怀俄明大学量子信息科学研究和教育能力的持久影响有望远远超出奖学金的结论。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

As nations compete in the rapidly advancing field of quantum technology, it is imperative for rural states like Wyoming to bolster their research and educational capacities in quantum information science (QIS). One prominent branch of QIS is quantum computing. Over recent years, we have seen the successful creation of quantum computer prototypes across various platforms. Yet, their practical applications remain restricted. A major challenge facing current superconductor-based quantum computers is noise interference, which can easily disrupt quantum states. Motivated by this, researchers at the University of Wyoming have speculated that two-dimensional (2D) materials, exhibiting single crystalline properties down to the atomic scale, might pave the way for the next generation of quantum computers. With the support of this fellowship, the PI will gain invaluable training experience, expanding his skills in designing and characterizing superconducting qubits. Concurrently, this will foster the development of infrastructure at the University of Wyoming, bringing benefits that will endure long after the fellowship concludes.The NSF EPSCoR RII Track-4 Research Fellows project will provide a unique opportunity for an Assistant Professor and a postdoctoral researcher from the University of Wyoming to collaborate with the leading experts in quantum computing at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The primary objective of this research fellowship is to design, create, and characterize superconducting qubits constructed entirely from 2D materials. This endeavor could herald the dawn of a new generation of quantum computers, marked by heightened fidelity and largely increased coherence times - a significant advancement eagerly anticipated by the quantum computing community worldwide. At the University of Wyoming, the research team is poised to harness a diverse toolkit of methodologies, from the preparation and handling of 2D materials to the fabrication and characterization of 2D superconducting Josephson junctions. The close collaboration with LLNL offers the most critical edge. With access to LLNL's world-class quantum computing test beds, the Wyoming team will receive training and gain hands-on experience in superconducting qubit design, creation, and characterization. While the immediate fruits of this fellowship are undeniably enticing, its lasting impact on the research and education capabilities in quantum information science at the University of Wyoming promises to extend well beyond the fellowship's conclusion.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.