Southwest Quantum Information and Technology (SQuInT)
The 10th Annual Workshop of the SQuInT Network took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico in February 2008. SQuInT brings together researchers in theoretical and experimental quantum information science from around the Southwest and beyond to look at the cutting edge problems in the field.
The progress in modern information technology implies that transistors and other circuit elements will operate in the single-electron limit within a decade or two, and will reach atomic dimensions a few decades after that. At some point along this path, technology will cross the quantum/classical boundary and enter a whole new world of quantum mechanical information processing based on coherent quantum dynamics. Quantum information science has already forced a reevaluation of the traditional notions of computational complexity, by showing that the underlying model of computation cannot ignore the ultimately quantum mechanical nature of information encoding and processing.
This impacts not only the foundations of theoretical computer science, but also opens avenues for computing power far beyond the fastest classical devices. Many physical implementations of quantum information have been explored, and a few are now at a point where a fault tolerant quantum processor architecture can be envisioned. More broadly, devices whose components are manifestly quantum can perform tasks that are impossible within the framework of classical physics, such as secure communication, teleportation, and metrology beyond the standard quantum limit.
This field of Quantum Information Science (QIS) is a truly interdisciplinary endeavor, connecting information science, complexity theory, computer science, and various branches of physics, chemistry, and engineering. As such, collaborative efforts are necessary to bridge the gaps between these various arenas and further the flow of ideas. In addition, there has historically been a strong concentration of activity in QIS in northern New Mexico and the southwestern United States more generally.
Taking advantage of the local expertise in this field, building on existing enthusiasm and momentum to collaborate, and given the concentration of world-class research efforts in this area, a network was established in 1998 known as, “Southwest Quantum Information and Technology,” or SQuInT, website to help disseminate information and stimulate collaborations between groups in this region. Members of the SQuInT network include, Caltech, Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Boulder, University of Arizona (UA), University of New Mexico (UNM), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Pasadena, University of Oregon (UO), University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), University of California Berkeley (UCB), University of California San Diego (UCSD), UCLA, USC, Stanford University, and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). The University of New Mexico, together with Los Alamos National Laboratory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Boulder have historically been the core of SQuInT in a very successful partnership.
The Annual SQuInT Workshop was a landmark – our 10th anniversary is 2008. In attendance were 135 researchers across the wide range of disciplines that comprise Quantum Information Science, including physics, computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, and chemistry. SQuInT particularly serves students, who comprised 60% of the attendees and delivered both oral presentations and posters. Senior presenters included members the SQuInT nodes: UNM, LANL, SNL, UA, NIST, UCSD, UCSB, Caltech, USC, UCB, UO, the University of Washington (UW), UCalgary, and others. In addition, there were invited speakers from both domestic and international institutions, including Prof. Serge Haroche (College de France, Paris), Prof. Hayden (McGill University), Prof. D’Ariano (University of Pavia, Italy), and Prof. Farhi (MIT).
On the first day of the workshop, we inaugurated a new tutorial and pedagogical lecture series, oriented to new students and professionals in the field, to introduce basic concepts and give detailed lectures on new developments. Topics included “detecting entanglement,” “measuring quantum coherence,” and “convexity and optimization in quantum information.” Research presentations by invited, senior, and student speakers were delivered on the second and third days of the workshop, on topics ranging from quantum control of atoms and photons, to the quantum information theoretic description of black holes. There was also a vibrant poster session that went well into the evening on Friday night, and continued to generate discussion throughout the meeting. The full program can be found here.
Quantum Information Science continues to generate tremendous enthusiasm, especially for students entering their PhD studies. SQuInT has played a central role, elevating the status of QIS in New Mexico on the international stage, and providing a network concentrated in the local community. This has been especially true in fostering collaborations between UNM and LANL’s Quantum Institute, which has been a key partner in SQuInT from its inception.
Contact: Prof. Ivan Deutsch (ideutschATunm.edu, 505-277-1502)
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