quantum engineering

Combes seeks to transform the quantum technology landscape

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 22:30:15 +0000

Combes seeks to transform the quantum technology landscape Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/21/2023 - 16:30

Charles Ferrer

Josh Combes

Quantum technology will open new capabilities in computing, networking and sensing. However, quantum computers that exist today have yet to live up to their full potential.

Assistant Professor Josh Combes is taking the challenge of quantum computing to the next level. Combes, who is based in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, recently earned a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to further his quantum research and foster the next generation of quantum-aware engineers across disciplines.

Through the CAREER Award, Combes seeks to design qubits — a basic unit of information in quantum computing — that are significantly more reliable than those used today. He calls them second-generation qubits.

While progress has been made on reducing qubit errors, first-generation qubits are designed to perform just below the required error rates.

“There's a huge difference between when the Wright Brothers flew their plane and now when you hop on a Boeing 747. There’s now several generations of aircraft, and the Wright Brothers could be compared to being the prototype of first-generation qubits in quantum,” said Combes.

He also used the example of early computers, which suffered from unreliable components. Over time, technologies such as the transistors have made computers smaller and, more importantly, reliable and faster.

“Second-generation qubits are built very intentionally to be protected against errors and computational noise. To build quantum technology that includes quantum computers, sensors and networks, we need to devise ways to eliminate or protect against those errors,” Combes said.

The development of these low-error, second-generational qubits could accelerate the large-scale superconducting quantum computers’ timeline. Quantum, which requires these large-scale computers, is pushing the boundaries in e-commerce, communications, GPS navigation and national security.

Combes is also committed to building a robust national quantum workforce. Universities around the world are struggling to meet the increased industry demands, which require ample quantum training. To that end, Combes designed a new quantum engineering (QE) minor to help STEM students outside of physics become proficient in quantum.

Quantum technology has traditionally been centered around the work from theoretical and experimental physicists, computer scientists and mathematicians. To create a quantum community, the field will need to draw its expertise across different disciplines.

“We're starting to see people from other fields coming in and making contributions,” said Combes. “We’re seeing electrical engineers, mechanical engineers and chemical engineers starting to make quantum technology, so it’s becoming a more multidisciplinary field.”

CAREER Awards provide approximately $500,000 over five years for junior faculty members “who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.” Seven faculty members within the College of Engineering and Applied Science have received CAREER Awards from the National Science Foundation in 2023.

“What excites me is how this will impact our graduate students through funding and their ability to work on these ideas for broader impact. That’s the real meaning of earning this CAREER Award.”

Assistant Professor Josh Combes of the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering will use a prestigious NSF CAREER Award to further quantum research and foster the next generation of quantum-aware engineers across disciplines.

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New $15M NASA grant will support quantum sensors in space

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 19:45:54 +0000

New $15M NASA grant will support quantum sensors in space Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/16/2023 - 13:45

Assistant Professor Marco Nicotra and ECEE-affiliated Professor Dana Anderson are part of multi-university research team looking to improve measurement of important climate factors by observing atoms in outer space.

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Diddams earns Optica Mees Medal for boundary-breaking optics innovations

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 20:29:28 +0000

Diddams earns Optica Mees Medal for boundary-breaking optics innovations Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/01/2023 - 13:29

Researcher's pioneering innovations have led to wide-ranging application of optical frequency combs to ultrafast lasers, optical clocks, spectroscopy, microwave synthesis, and astronomy.

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Gopinath group advances quantum sensing with a new model in optical fibers

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 14:17:13 +0000

Gopinath group advances quantum sensing with a new model in optical fibers Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/02/2022 - 08:17

Research into quantum engineering may provide a number of significant advancements in sensor technology, but optical loss and signal noise have – until recently – held these applications back.

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QEI Collaboration Lab opening to foster high-impact research in quantum engineering

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 18:35:34 +0000

QEI Collaboration Lab opening to foster high-impact research in quantum engineering Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/12/2022 - 12:35

Collaborators will conduct research into quantum computing, optical clocks, quantum sensors and networks, hybrid quantum systems and more, according to Robert H. Davis Endowed Chair in Discovery Learning Scott Diddams.

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April 14 is World Quantum Day: Here’s why you should care

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 20:56:24 +0000

April 14 is World Quantum Day: Here’s why you should care Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/14/2022 - 14:56

Graduate student Gregory Krueper shares thoughts on what the future holds for quantum physics and how quantum discoveries have already fueled the modern, digital age.

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Honoree hopes new endowment will lead to quantum breakthrough

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 16:04:47 +0000

Honoree hopes new endowment will lead to quantum breakthrough Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/01/2022 - 09:04

Recently created by an anonymous donor, the Karl Gustafson Endowed Chair of Quantum Engineering will be embedded in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering.

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CU Boulder offering new graduate fellowships in quantum engineering

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 23:02:36 +0000

CU Boulder offering new graduate fellowships in quantum engineering Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 12/10/2021 - 16:02

Won Park in his lab.

Starting in fall 2022, a new program will provide fellowships for seven students to pursue PhD degrees in quantum engineering in the Departments of Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering and Chemical & Biological Engineering.

Professor Won Park will serve as director of the fellowship initiative, sponsored by the Department of Education's Graduate Assistantships in Areas of National Need (GAANN).

GAANN grants provide fellowships to assist graduate students with excellent academic records who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the highest degree available in a field designated as an area of national need.

The CU Engineering fellows will be trained in interdisciplinary science and engineering principles and practices to prepare them for teaching and research careers that address critical and rapidly growing national needs in quantum engineering. These include enabling ultra-precise sensing and measurement with quantum advantage, establishing engineering principles for quantum science and building national infrastructure for quantum science and engineering.

The program includes 22 faculty participants from the ECEE and ChBE departments who have active research programs in areas relevant to quantum engineering and are widely recognized for excellence in both teaching and research.

Learn more about the GAANN fellowships

Starting in fall 2022, the GAANN program will provide fellowships for seven students to pursue PhD degrees in electrical, computer & energy engineering and chemical & biological engineering.

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Perfecting more areas of quantum computing

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Perfecting more areas of quantum computing Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 10/15/2021 - 00:00

Assistant Professor András Gyenis is working to build artificial atoms, allowing quantum computing processes to operate with less errors and perform longer.

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Diddams joins growing quantum expertise within CU Boulder engineering

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Diddams joins growing quantum expertise within CU Boulder engineering Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/12/2021 - 00:00

Diddams joined CU Engineering as a visiting professor this fall and will become a full professor in 2022. He will also serve in a leadership role in the newly formed Quantum Engineering Initiative.

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