Quantum Information Science

What is Quantum Information Science?

Quantum information science (QIS) is the study of applying quantum mechanics to computing, communication, sensing, and simulation. In addition, the language and tools of QIS are central underpinnings of our conceptual understanding of the universe, informing such fields of physics as condensed matter and high-energy physics. QIS at Illinois is a highly interdisciplinary research area that involves physics, materials science, computer science, electrical engineering, and many other science and engineering fields. Advances in QIS may enhance our understanding of complex materials, enable ultrasensitive measurements, and establish a global quantum internet.

What are we doing in Quantum Information Science at Illinois?

There are numerous research groups at Illinois Physics and across the University that tackle problems related to QIS. At Illinois Physics, theoretical efforts include aspects such as developing new quantum algorithms; studying the role of quantum entanglement in areas ranging from quantum gravity to condensed matter systems; quantum error correction and tomography; and improving quantum materials and devices. Experimental efforts at Illinois Physics span superconducting and solid-state qubits, atomic and photonic qubits, quantum memories, hybrid quantum networks, quantum materials, quantum transduction, and quantum simulation.

The Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) is an interdisciplinary center for QIS research on campus that includes people from many departments, including Illinois Physics. QIS researchers at Illinois are part of many multi-institutional centers such as Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (HQAN), Q-NEXT, the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), Quantum Sensing and Quantum Materials (QSQM), and partnerships including the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute. Students can also engage with the Illinois quantum entrepreneurship ecosystem through programs such as Duality.