The WSU Quantum Initiative¶

The Quantum Initiative at Washington State University unites efforts in quantum research and workforce development across the university. Key players include members of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, who study fundamental quantum science, and use ultra-cold atoms, non-linear optics, and quantum spins for quantum sensing and quantum computing technologies; members of the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, who study the classical-quantum interface and cryoelectronics; and others across the university who explore quantum applications in areas such as chemistry, mathematics, and hydrogen energy research.

As a land grant institution, WSU is committed to training the quantum-smart workforce needed to support the current quantum revolution in the PNW region. To lead the development of emerging quantum technologies, students need a broad set of skills, including not only the foundation in quantum mechanics provided by our physics program, but a facility with computational and data analysis techniques, and practical hands-on experience with relevant technologies such as electronics, optics, and cryogenics. Supporting these needs, we partner with a new interdisciplinary program called iSciMath, training students to work at the boundaries of traditional academic domains in STEM. The iSciMath program centered at WSU brings together core participants from academia, government, and industry to foster the types of interactions and innovations seen at Bell Labs and Xerox PARC in their heyday, giving students both breadth and depth – as we like to say, a graduate of this program will be a jack of all trades, and a master of some.

Quantum Research at WSU¶

The Quantum Initiative at Washington State University, unites efforts in quantum research and workforce development across the university through the Office of Research. Major research initiatives in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at WSU center around a fundamental science, and a variety of quantum technologies for sensing and computing applications, including: ultra-cold atoms as analog quantum computers to simulate nuclear physics and neutron stars; non-linear optics for quantum computing and metrology; and spin physics and magnetic resonance for precision atomic magnetometry, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with medical applications. Major research initiatives in the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science focus on the classical-quantum interface in quantum computer architectures including the behavior of electronic components at cryogenic temperatures.

The key players are:

• Michael McNeil Forbes:
  Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Affiliate Professor, Department of Physics at UW.
  Professor Forbes is a theorist and the principal contact person for the quantum initiative at WSU. His quantum-related research interests include: Quantum simulation (analog quantum computing) of nuclear physics, astrophysics, neutron stars, and cosmology using ultra-cold atom experiments; quantum dynamics in bosonic and fermionic superfluids using a combination of techniques including time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), effective field theories, hydrodynamics and quantum turbulence, and ab initio techniques, with direct validation from experiments. In close collaboration with experimentalists at WSU (Engels and Kuzyk), UW (Gupta), and around the world, Michael's research explores fundamental physics, such as negative-mass hydrodynamics, and applications to quantum sensing such as atom-interferometric imaging.
• Peter Engels:
  Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
  Professor Engels runs the Fundamental Quantum Physics Lab where his group studies a variety of cold atom systems, exploring phenomena such as soliton interactions, spintronics, gravitational caustics,
• Qingze Guan:
  Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
  Professor Guan is a theorist who studies cold molecules and quantum chemistry.
• Mark G. Kuzyk:
  Regents Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
  Professor Kuzyk runs the Nonlinear Optics Laboratory where his group uses fundamental quantum principles to enhance the nonlinear optical response of materials.
• Brian Saam:
  Professor and Department Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy. Professor Saam runs the Saam Lab where his group is broadly engaged in experimental atomic and condensed-matter physics, especially including spin physics and magnetic resonance. Their research interests include spin-polarized alkali-metal vapors and noble gases and their many applications, many-body spin physics and chaos in condensed-phase spin systems, precision atomic magnetometry, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Steven Tomsovic:
  Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy. Professor Tomsovic is a theorist who studies quantum chaos, dynamical phase transitions, semiclassical techniques, and random matrix theory.
• Subhanshu Gupta:
  Associate Professor, School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.
  Professor Gupta runs the Systems on Chip lab. Their research lies at the interface of devices, circuits, and algorithms spanning EE, CS, and Physics with applications to wireless communications, IoTs, and more recently cryoelectronic sensing.