Characterization of quantum information devices and equilibration of complex quantum dynamics

量子信息科学的基础是发现小规模系统中的量子力学效应可以彻底改变信息技术，特别是导致量子计算和量子通信设备，这些设备可以大大优于传统设备。量子信息的物理设备已经在激光冷却原子、金刚石中的电磁控制电子-核系统和超导量子电路等多种领域实现。艾默生博士的研究开发了评估和改进量子信息设备性能的方法，其长期目标是使商业上可行的量子信息处理器成为现实。提出的研究将开发有效的协议来表征目前正在开发的量子器件的性能。这些协议将由工具组成，使物理学家和工程师能够通过识别和消除破坏设备量子特性的有害影响来构建强大的、可扩展的量子通信和量子计算设备。这项研究将为量子信息技术的商业发展打开大门，并将培养具有利用这些研究红利的专业知识的研究生。埃默森博士的研究还涉及提高我们对具体量子特征的理解，这些特征是实用量子器件需要优于经典量子器件的特征。

Quantum information science is based on the discovery that quantum mechanical effects in small scale systems can revolutionize information technology, leading, in particular, to quantum computation and quantum communication devices which can vastly outperform their conventional counterparts. Physical devices for quantum information have been realized in areas as diverse as laser-cooled atoms, electro-magnetically controlled electron-nuclear systems in diamond, and superconducting quantum circuits. Dr. Emerson's research develops methods for assessing and improving the performance of quantum information devices, with the long-term goal of making commercially viable quantum information processors a reality. The proposed research will develop efficient protocols for characterizing the performance of quantum devices currently in development. These protocols will consist of tools that enable physicists and engineers to build robust, scalable quantum communication and quantum computing devices by identifying and eliminating unwanted effects that spoil the quantum features of the devices. This research will open the door for the commercial development of quantum-based information technology and will train graduate students with the expertise to exploit these research dividends. Dr. Emerson's research is also concerned with improving our understanding of the specific quantum features that practical quantum devices need to outperform their classical counterparts.