| Meet the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Robert McDermott Professor of Physics |
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Research area Superconducting integrated circuits are a leading candidate for the construction of quantum bits (“qubits”). The McDermott research group focuses on the development of technologies to enable scaling to quantum processors involving thousands or millions of qubits, as needed for robust quantum error correction. The lab has separate research efforts in the areas of quantum coherence, quantum measurement and high-fidelity coherent control. Collaborative research projects seek to develop hybrid quantum systems that exploit the distinct strengths of different quantum technologies.
What excites you about your work?
“We develop superconducting quantum circuits that someday will be used to achieve computational advantage over the most powerful classical computers that could ever be built. Our circuits can be seen with the bare eye, yet they involve discrete, quantized energy levels, similar to what we have in atoms or molecules. As we figure out how to build circuits that are decoupled from uncontrolled fluctuations in the environment that degrade quantum operation, we explore the boundary between the quantum world and the classical world. In this way, we develop a deeper understanding of the universe.”
What do you hope to achieve?
“We are learning how to engineer quantum systems more reliably, with fewer defects and imperfections, and we hope to achieve a level of fidelity that will allow us to perform calculations that would otherwise be impossible, even on the best available classical supercomputers. This will open the door to many interesting applications in areas like drug discovery, efficient energy harvesting and materials design.”
Prof. McDermott is recognized internationally for his seminal contributions to quantum measurement, coherence and scalable quantum device control. His innovative work has significantly advanced the reliability and performance of quantum systems, and we are excited to see what the future holds.
– Emily Bauer, WARF, Director of Licensing
Want to learn more?
Emily Bauer, [email protected], 608.960.9842