ExpandQISE: Track 1: Quantum@MTSU: Building QISE Research and Education in Middle Tennessee

摘要：该项目旨在在中田纳西州立大学（MTSU）建立一个全面的量子信息科学与工程（QISE）项目。该计划的重点是研究、教育和扩大对量子技术的参与。该项目与布法罗州立大学合作，旨在优化对高效量子信息处理（QIP）至关重要的量子比特-光子相互作用。研究重点是利用外场协议控制量子发射器，增强基本的QIP操作，如双光子干涉和量子记忆。将这些控制协议集成到量子网络模拟中，将展示改进的网络性能。为了培养量子智能劳动力并促进多样性，项目团队将开发专门的QISE本科课程，并为学生提供研究机会。为教师举办的讲习班和为高中生举办的夏令营激发了人们对量子科学的早期参与。为了扩大参与，项目团队将积极参与多样化的指导，并与地区学术机构建立伙伴关系，包括HBCU菲斯克大学和PUI南方复临大学。该项目将为感兴趣的教师提供学习机会，以加强QISE培训。与当地、区域和国家公司和实验室合作，确保更广泛的影响和可持续性。这个多样化的项目旨在将MTSU建设成为该地区蓬勃发展的QISE研究和教育中心。通过建立一个可复制的方法来扩大QISE的努力，项目团队希望为其他对建立QISE项目感兴趣的美国R2大学提供一个蓝图。技术摘要：实现各种量子比特系统之间高效的光子介导接口是实现可扩展量子技术的重大挑战。该项目的主要目标是提供理论建模和分析，以促进对各种量子发射体光谱特性的精确控制。使用外部场协议，项目团队可以克服频谱扩散等限制频谱行为，这对于增强需要不同量子比特之间频谱重叠的量子信息处理（QIP）操作至关重要。在项目团队最近成功利用外部场协议修改量子比特发射光谱的基础上，项目团队的目标是提高不同环境下量子发射器之间双光子干涉的效率。该项目将扩展该团队之前的工作，为两级和三级系统开发替代协议，量化它们对特定QIP操作的影响，如双光子干涉、状态转移、转导和量子记忆。这些协议在提高基本光子介导的QIP任务的效率方面具有重要的潜力。项目团队的最终目标是将这些控制协议集成到量子网络模拟器中，展示网络性能的切实改进。通过教育和推广活动，该项目旨在在田纳西州中部培养多样化的熟练QISE劳动力。该项目提供了广泛的学习机会，包括获得QISE本科课程、早期研究培训、针对代表性不足群体的专门讲习班以及指导机会。项目团队还将在QISE进行教师培训，并为高中生举办夏令营，激发他们对量子科学的早期认识和兴趣。作为QISE计划的核心，该项目致力于在中田纳西州立大学建立可持续的研究和教育，为中田纳西州地区量子劳动力发展的进步做出贡献。该项目由多学科活动办公室（MPS/OMA）和技术前沿计划（TIP/TF）共同资助。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。

Non-technical Abstract: The project aims to establish a comprehensive Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). This initiative focuses on research, education, and broadening participation in quantum technologies. Partnering with the University at Buffalo SUNY, the project aims to optimize qubit-photon interactions crucial for efficient quantum information processing (QIP). The research focuses on controlling quantum emitters using external field protocols, enhancing essential QIP operations like two-photon interference and quantum memory. Integration of these control protocols into quantum network simulations will showcase improved network performance. To foster a quantum-smart workforce and promote diversity, the project team will develop a specialized QISE undergraduate curriculum and offer research opportunities for students. Workshops for teachers and summer camps for high school students inspire early involvement in quantum sciences. To broaden participation, the project team will actively engage in diverse mentoring and form partnerships with regional academic institutions, including HBCU Fisk and PUI Southern Adventist Universities. The project will provide faculty learning opportunities to enhance QISE training for interested faculty members. Collaborating with local, regional, and national companies and labs ensures broader impacts and sustainability. The diverse program aims to establish MTSU as a thriving QISE research and education center in the region. By establishing a replicable methodology for expanding QISE efforts, the project team hopes to serve as a blueprint for other US R2 universities interested in establishing their QISE programs.Technical Abstract: Realizing efficient photon-mediated interfaces between various qubit systems poses a significant challenge in achieving scalable quantum technologies. The primary objective of this project is to provide theoretical modeling and analysis to facilitate precise control of the spectral properties of various quantum emitters. Using external field protocols, the project team can overcome limiting spectral behaviors like spectral diffusion, essential for enhancing quantum information processing (QIP) operations that require spectral overlap between distinct qubits. Building on the project team's recent successes in modifying qubit emission spectra with external field protocols, the project team aims to improve the efficiency of two-photon interference between quantum emitters in different environments. This project will expand on the team's previous efforts to develop alternative protocols for two-level and three-level systems, quantifying their impact on specific QIP operations such as two-photon interference, state transfer, transduction, and quantum memories. These protocols hold significant potential to enhance the efficiency of essential photon-mediated QIP tasks. The project team's ultimate goal is to integrate these control protocols into quantum network simulators, demonstrating tangible improvements in network performance. Through educational and outreach activities, this project aims to foster a diverse skilled QISE workforce in Middle Tennessee. The project offers a wide range of learning opportunities, providing access to the undergraduate QISE curriculum, early research training, specialized workshops for underrepresented groups, and mentoring opportunities. The project team will also conduct teacher training in QISE and engaging summer camps for high-school students, igniting early awareness and interest in quantum science. As a nucleus for QISE initiatives, this project strives to establish sustainable research and education at Middle Tennessee State University, contributing to the advancement of quantum workforce development in the Middle Tennessee region.This project is jointly funded by the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (MPS/OMA), and the Technology Frontiers Program (TIP/TF).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.