Oak Ridge National Laboratory
11/22/2024 | News release | Archived content
Attendees entangle at the inaugural Southeastern Quantum Conference
Travis Humble, director of the ORNL Quantum Science Center, sets the stage for a breakout session on quantum computing at the inaugural Southeaster Quantum Conference. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
November 22, 2024
In 1924, Louis de Broglie posited that the behavior of particles could be described as waves, establishing a central tenant of quantum theory. A century later, the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory welcomed attendees to the inaugural Southeastern Quantum Conference, held Oct. 28 - 30 in downtown Knoxville, to discuss innovative ways to use quantum science and technologies to enable scientific discovery.
As the initial convening, the conference focused on fostering crosscutting conversations across three focus areas: transformative quantum materials, quantum computing and quantum networking and sensing. In his welcome, Marcel Demarteau, director of ORNL's Physics Division and co-chair of the conference, said "by its very nature, quantum science is interdisciplinary. We are at the dawn of a new era in physics, but these breakthroughs cannot occur in isolation." Attendees were encouraged to collaborate, in recognition of the immense potential for innovation and discovery as quantum science develops and intersects with other fields.
ORNL's Marcel Demarteau and Kate Evans, Southeastern Quantum Conference co-chairs, prepare to welcome attendees to the inaugural event. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
The conference is rooted in ORNL's expertise and decades of experience working in quantum materials, sensors, networks and computing, and the increasing emergence of the southeastern United States as a hub for quantum innovation.
"The Southeast has several benefits to it that other parts of the country and world don't have. Because we're more rural, we are motivated to demonstrate the power of a quantum network over a greater distance," explained Kate Evans, ORNL Office of Institutional Strategic Planning director. "Eastern Tennessee is poised to become a leader in advancing quantum science and technology, because it has multiple universities and medium-sized, forward-thinking cities, in addition to companies like EPB of Chattanooga and Tennessee Valley Authority, with the desire, workforce and support to develop and deliver a quantum network that can transmit secure information at scale."
The movement from discovery to delivery was a central theme throughout the conference, highlighted by Prineha Narang, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, who delivered the keynote address. Professor Narang described her work on the stabilization of nonequilibrium states in quantum materials. Her cutting-edge research on new techniques to create and stabilize non-equilibrium states in quantum materials allows scientists to manipulate these states, while opening new possibilities for technologies such as sensors and circuits.
Additionally, a panel representing multiple offices from the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation and Air Force Research Laboratory highlighted the efforts of each agency in the quantum science and technology arenas, emphasizing the value of collaboration as quantum research moves beyond physics laboratories. Panel members and attendees acknowledged the urgent need to develop a next generation workforce capable of taking quantum to its next frontier, whether that's revolutionizing the energy sector, quantum computing and communication, or bioengineering.
The conference included a panel on funding impactful science and technology. From left, moderator Helena Fu, Department of Energy, Mike Hayduk, Air Force Research Laboratory, Jodi Kouts, Department of Energy, and Denise Caldwell, National Science Foundation. Credit: Carol Morgan/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
Klaus Blaum, director of the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany, closed the conference with a presentation on quantum metrology, which uses quantum technology to define base units in the international system of units and make measurements more precise. This research will not only expand our fundamental understanding of the universe but harnesses the ability of quantum technology to improve infrastructure, supply chain management, health care and energy grid operations.
This conference welcomed more than 160 participants, representing six national laboratories, 33 institutions of higher education, and eight sponsors. The conference was supported by funding from the Department of Energy, as well as sponsors IonQ, IQM Quantum Computers, Ansys, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, NVIDIA, Quantum Brilliance, Quantum Machines, and SimuTech Group.
This diverse group demonstrates that while ORNL is a leader in developing quantum technology, it's only through collaboration that breakthroughs can continue to be made. "I believe that national labs are designed to develop and mature scientific and engineering insights for our nation. We enable industry and technology, [instead of] competing with them," said Evans.
Plans are underway for next year, with organizers hoping to expand the number and diversity of participants at the conference, while broadening the discussion to include aspects of quantum science, such as early career scientists and more tutorials.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. - Brynn Downing