West LA Times

Researchers from the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA and their colleagues have received a one-year, $1 million grant as part of a new National Science Foundation (NSF) program aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of quantum technologies for societal benefit.

The Quantum Sensing and Imaging Lab, or Q-SAIL, led by UCLA quantum physicist David Leibrandt, is one of five pilot projects across the country selected by the NSF to participate in the agency’s new National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL). This initiative serves as a national resource to enable faster discovery and advancement of quantum technologies. At Q-SAIL, UCLA scientists from physics, engineering, and chemistry will collaborate with researchers from the University of Delaware, Caltech, and MIT.

Q-SAIL aims to develop quantum sensors based on two-dimensional trapped-ion arrays, where charged atomic particles are confined to enable measurements with unprecedented precision.

“Quantum sensing is a brand-new field with the potential to enable transformative new capabilities and applications in navigation, telecommunications, medicine, atmospheric science, physics and astronomy,” Leibrandt said. “We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to bring together a world-class multidisciplinary team of academic researchers and industry partners to develop cutting-edge quantum sensors and put them in the hands of the user community.”

In addition to Leibrandt, UCLA investigators include Richard Ross; Mona Jarrahi; Aydogan Ozcan; Chee Wei Wong; Pri Narang; Alice Ho; and Shanna Shaked.

Quantinuum and Infleqtion will contribute technical expertise to increase the technology readiness level of Q-SAIL’s sensors.

After the initial 12-month timeline, pilot project teams will be invited to compete for larger awards anticipated to fund NQVL’s design and development as a federated resource. This resource will bring together assets that enable diverse quantum-focused research and development.

“The NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory represents a new approach NSF is taking to facilitate the complex and multistep process of translating new scientific ideas into fully developed technologies that benefit society,” acting NSF Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Denise Caldwell said. "As a shared national resource, NQVL will also surmount the limitations inherent in using solely brick-and-mortar facilities — any qualified researcher or student can participate regardless of where they are in the U.S.”

NQVL will broaden access to specialized research infrastructure by functioning as a geographically distributed national resource. It will grow and adapt to seize emerging opportunities and accelerate translating fundamental science into practical applications co-designed by a broad user community spanning computing, networking, and sensing.

Throughout its lifecycle, NQVL will provide workforce training and education opportunities aimed at growing the U.S. STEM workforce necessary for leading future industries. Democratizing access while building national quantum science capacity aligns with NSF's strategy following 2018's “National Quantum Initiative Act.”

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