Quantum Networks Training and Research Alliance in the Southeast

量子网络能够实现更有效的信息处理，比当前通信技术基础上的经典网络更快、更安全。对量子网络的研究有可能有助于量子科学的基础发现，以及在网络安全、量子传感器和量子计算方面的关键应用。然而，要实现量子互联网所承诺的优势，必须克服许多基础科学和工程挑战。应对这些挑战将需要科学和工程学科的专业知识的融合，以及训练有素的跨学科量子网络劳动力的发展。这项NSF研究培训（NRT）项目的总体目标是推进量子网络组件和应用的设计和开发，并在东南部建立第一个全面的、跨学科的量子信息科学与工程（QISE）培训计划。该培训项目是佐治亚大学和田纳西大学诺克斯维尔分校的合作项目，预计将为54名硕士和博士生提供培训，其中包括34名科学和工程领域的资助学员。该项目将在三个关键领域开展量子网络研究。第一个集中在量子网络构建模块：单光子发射器，量子比特实现，量子光子测量，量子信息理论和网络安全。第二部分包括量子设备：网络量子计算、网络量子传感器和量子网络组件材料。第三个领域考虑科学和工程应用：基于空间的纠缠光子源、量子随机数发生器、电网、量子资源估计和片上技术。这三个研究重点将通过三个跨学科的研究视角：实验、模拟和工程。培训计划和劳动力的发展将大大有助于满足学术界，国家实验室和工业对熟练的QISE劳动力的迫切需求。它将包括独特设计的部分，以增加不同学生在QISE的参与。它将加强两所合作机构与传统黑人学院和大学的现有联系，以及路易斯·斯托克斯少数族裔参与联盟（LSAMP）领导和学术提升计划，以便从该领域代表性不足的群体中招募、指导和留住女性和少数族裔学生。此外，它还将通过QISE入门课程吸引潜在的本科生学员学习QISE主题，这些课程可以在各个机构获得学分。这种实习模式将创建一个跨学科的、与劳动力相结合的项目，将实验、模拟和工程体验式学习结合起来，以激励多样化的研究生群体走向QISE的职业生涯。美国国家科学基金会研究实习生（NRT）计划旨在鼓励开发和实施大胆的、具有潜在变革性的STEM研究生教育培训新模式。该项目致力于通过创新、循证、适应不断变化的劳动力和研究需求的综合培训模式，在高优先级跨学科或融合研究领域对STEM研究生进行有效培训。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。

Quantum networks enable more efficient information processing, promising functionality that is faster and more secure than the classical networks that undergird current communication technologies. Research on quantum networks has the potential to contribute to fundamental discoveries in quantum science as well as key applications in cybersecurity, quantum sensors, and quantum computing. However, to realize the promised advantages of a quantum Internet, many fundamental science and engineering challenges must be overcome. Tackling these challenges will require a convergence of expertise from science and engineering disciplines and the development of a well-trained, interdisciplinary quantum networks workforce. The overarching goal of this NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) project is to advance the design and development of components and applications of quantum networks, and to establish the first comprehensive, interdisciplinary quantum information science and engineering (QISE) training program in the Southeast. Representing a collaboration between the University of Georgia and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, this training program is expected to serve fifty-four masters and doctoral students, including thirty-four funded trainees in science and engineering.This project will carry out quantum networks research in three key areas. The first centers on quantum network building blocks: single photon emitters, qubit realization, quantum photon measurement, quantum information theory, and cybersecurity. The second encompasses quantum devices: networked quantum computing, networked quantum sensors, and materials for quantum network components. The third area considers scientific and engineering applications: space-based entangled photon sources, quantum random number generators, the power grid, quantum resource estimation, and on-chip technology. These three research thrusts will be bridged by three cross-disciplinary research perspectives: experimentation, simulation, and engineering. The training program and workforce development will significantly contribute to fulfilling the pressing need for a skilled QISE workforce in academia, national laboratories, and industry. It will include components uniquely designed to increase the involvement of diverse students in QISE. It will strengthen existing ties that the two collaborating institutions have with historically black colleges and universities, and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Leadership and Academic Enhancement Program, for robust recruitment, mentoring, and retention of women and minority students from groups underrepresented in the field. In addition, it will engage potential undergraduate recruits with QISE topics via introductory QISE courses that can be taken for credit across institutions. This traineeship model will create an interdisciplinary, workforce-aligned program integrating experimental, simulational, and engineering experiential learning to galvanize a diverse community of graduate students toward careers in QISE.The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program is designed to encourage the development and implementation of bold, new potentially transformative models for STEM graduate education training. The program is dedicated to effective training of STEM graduate students in high priority interdisciplinary or convergent research areas through comprehensive traineeship models that are innovative, evidence-based, and aligned with changing workforce and research needs.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.