Quantum Control Laboratory
Research
The Quantum Control Laboratory is interested in the intersection of control engineering with experimental quantum information, quantum sensing, and precision metrology. Our team focuses on the development and intersection of quantum technologies based on trapped atomic ions and specialized high-precision microwave and laser systems.
We currently operate the highest-performance quantum computer in the southern hemisphere and have demonstrated world-leading performance in quantum-logic error rates and coherent lifetimes.
The team also collaborates with Q-CTRL, an advanced-technology startup founded by Prof. Biercuk and focused on software for quantum control.
Students and postdoctoral researchers interested in opportunities should contact Professor Biercuk directly.
Learn more about our research projects below.
Quantum Computing with Trapped Ions
Project Leader: Dr. Ting-Rei Tan
Quantum computing promises to totally transform information processing, making previously inaccessible problems of real societal and economic relevance solvable.
The Quantum Control Laboratory is leading the development of quantum computing hardware based on trapped atomic ions. We’re focused primarily on the realization of ultra-high-fidelity, error-robust quantum logic, as well as techniques to characterize hardware performance.
Selected manuscripts:
Phase-modulated entangling gates robust to static and time-varying errors
Experimental quantum verification in the presence of temporally correlated noise
Phase-modulated decoupling and error suppression in qubit-oscillator systems
The effect of noise correlations on randomized benchmarking
Long-time Low-latency Quantum Memory by Dynamical Decoupling
Quantum Simulation for Chemistry & Materials
Project Leader: Dr. Robert Wolf
The simulation of quantum coherent many-body systems is a promising new route to solve major problems in materials science for energy distribution. Through experiments using linear Paul traps and ion arrays in Penning traps we are seeking to engineer designer Hamiltonians for studies of problems including quantum magnetism and quantum chemistry.
Selected manuscripts:
Programmable quantum simulation by dynamic Hamiltonian engineering
Quantum Control Engineering
Project Leader: Dr. Ting-Rei Tan
Control theory is a universal enabling discipline within the engineering community. We are seeking to bring insights from control theory to the quantum domain, allowing us to efficiently exploit quantum coherent systems for applications in energy and computation. Our aim is to produce a flexible quantum control toolkit that is adaptable to any future quantum technology, but with specific emphasis on quantum computing. Specific projects relate to open-loop error suppression and the application of machine-learning to autonomous system tuneup and characterization.
Selected manuscripts:
Quantum oscillator noise spectroscopy via displaced Schrödinger cat states
Autonomous adaptive noise characterization in quantum computers
Machine learning for predictive estimation of qubit dynamics subject to dephasing
Hardware Systems for Quantum Technology & Precision Metrology
Project Leaders: Dr. Robert Wolf & Dr. Ting-Rei Tan
The realization of quantum technology requires substantial investment in the development of advanced supporting technologies. Our interests span from advanced laser systems to world-leading precision frequency references and their impacts on quantum-system performance.
Selected manuscripts
The role of master clock stability in scalable quantum information processing
Prediction and real-time compensation of qubit decoherence via machine-learning
Towards fully commercial, UV-compatible fiber patch cords
High-power spectral beamsplitter for closely spaced frequencies
Infrastructure
The Quantum Control Laboratory occupies one of the most precisely engineered research laboratories in the world. These facilities have been designed specifically to support quantum science and precision metrology research. Key features include temperature stability within 0.1 C, active and passive electromagnetic shielding, and vibration-isolation of the laboratory slab.
Leveraging the performance benefits of this space, the Quantum Control Laboratory builds and operates advanced infrastructure:
- Two RF Paul traps for experiments with linear ion crystals
- A Penning trap for quantum-many-body physics experiments with hundreds of trapped ions
- A Cryogenic Sapphire Oscillator (CSO) providing GHz reference frequencies with frequency stability 10^-16 and ultra-high spectral purity
- A Hydrogen loading facility for UV compatible fiber-optic patch cables
- Ultra stable optical reference cavities with drift rates as low as ~120 mHz/s
