Research
The IQIM is driven by the belief that there is a rare convergence of theoretical insights and experimental capabilities that offers remarkable opportunities for discoveries of new principles and phenomena at the multidisciplinary interfaces of Physics and Quantum Information Science (QIS). IQIM aims to discover new physics in the quantum realm and to build scientific foundations for designing materials and devices with remarkable properties. Researchers in QIS and several fields of physics will come together to explore large-scale quantum phenomena that are possible when particles such as atoms, photons and electrons are strongly correlated or entangled. In four major research thrusts outlined below, IQIM scientists investigate and manipulate entangled systems and materials in order to advance basic science and build the foundations for future technologies including quantum computers.
Quantum Information – in which the existing NSF sponsored Institute for Quantum Information (IQI - now integrated into IQIM) will take the lead in investigations of quantum coherence and entanglement as related to the physical properties of exotic quantum states of matter, as well as continuing its world leading programs on quantum computation and communication. The core researchers in this area are John Preskill, Alexei Kitaev, Leonard Schulman and Gil Refael.
Quantum Many-Body Physics with an emphasis on emergent quantum phenomena, including quantum Hall physics (Jim Eisenstein, Matthew Fisher - UCSB, Alexei Kitaev), topological states of matter (Matthew Fisher - UCSB, David Hsieh, Alexei Kitaev, Gil Refael, and Nai-Chang Yeh), exotic magnetic systems (Matthew Fisher - UCSB, Lesik Motrunich and Nai-Chang Yeh), and ultra-cold atomic gases, and with strong connections to powerful theoretical techniques from QIS.
Quantum Optics in which capabilities for quantum control of strong interactions of single atoms and photons will be extended to explore quantum many-body systems composed of 1- and 2-D arrays of atoms whose interactions are mediated by photons in microscopic quantum optical circuits. Core researchers in this area include professors Jeff Kimble, Oskar Painter, Gil Refael, and Kerry Vahala.
Quantum Mechanics of Mechanical Systems that will build upon recent advances in opto-and electro-mechanics 1) to achieve quantum control of single phonons in simple material systems, thereby enabling lithographic fabrication of quantum many-body systems with phonon mediated interactions, and 2) to create human-sized objects in entangled quantum states within the setting of LIGO. Core faculty in this area include: Rana Adhikari, Yanbei Chen, Jim Eisenstein, Jeff Kimble, Oskar Painter, Michael Roukes, Keith Schwab and Kerry Vahala.
