The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $11.4 million in funding for six projects in quantum information science (QIS) relevant to fusion and plasma science. The Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program, which supports this research, aims to develop a fusion energy source. The QIS portfolio within FES explores areas where QIS could impact FES mission areas, including fusion and discovery plasma science. Jean Paul Allain, Associate Director of Science for FES, believes the convergence of quantum science, fusion energy, and plasma science is an exciting discovery area. The projects will advance quantum algorithms, develop measurement techniques for plasmas, and explore high energy density physics methods.
U.S. Department of Energy’s Investment in Quantum Information Science
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced an investment of $11.4 million into six projects related to quantum information science (QIS). These projects are particularly relevant to fusion and plasma science, two areas of research that are crucial to the development of a fusion energy source.
The Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program, supported by the DOE, is dedicated to expanding our understanding of matter at extremely high temperatures and densities. This research forms the scientific foundation necessary for the development of fusion energy. The QIS portfolio within the FES program supports research opportunities outlined in the 2018 Fusion Energy Sciences Roundtable on Quantum Information Science report.
The Impact of Quantum Information Science on Fusion Energy Sciences
The QIS portfolio within the FES program includes science and technology thrusts where QIS could potentially have a transformative impact on FES mission areas, including fusion and discovery plasma science. It also includes exploring fundamental science supported by FES to advance the field of Quantum Information Science beyond FES’ applications.
Jean Paul Allain, Associate Director of Science for FES, stated that these awards will not only advance priority research opportunities but will also position FES to take advantage of QIS sensing techniques and future quantum computing hardware. The convergence of quantum science, fusion energy, and plasma science is an exciting and revolutionary emergent area of discovery and broader impact.
Projects Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy
The projects funded by this announcement will advance quantum algorithms relevant to fusion and plasma physics on existing and near‐term quantum computers. They will also develop novel high-sensitivity measurement techniques for plasmas and explore the use of high energy density physics methods for novel QIS materials discovery and synthesis.
These projects were selected through a competitive peer review process under the DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement for Quantum Information Science Research for Fusion Energy Sciences. They will last up to three years, with total funding of $11.4 million: $3.8 million in FY23 and $7.6 million in outyear funding contingent on congressional appropriations.
The Future of Quantum Information Science and Fusion Energy Sciences
The investment by the U.S. Department of Energy signifies the importance of Quantum Information Science in the field of Fusion Energy Sciences. The convergence of these fields could potentially lead to significant advancements in our understanding of matter and the development of a fusion energy source.
The projects funded by this announcement are expected to make significant contributions to these fields over the next three years. The funding will support the development of quantum algorithms, high-sensitivity measurement techniques for plasmas, and the exploration of high energy density physics methods for novel QIS materials discovery and synthesis.
“These awards will not only advance our priority research opportunities but will position FES to take advantage of QIS sensing techniques and future quantum computing hardware,” said Jean Paul Allain, Associate Director of Science for FES. “The convergence of quantum science, fusion energy, and plasma science is an exciting and revolutionary emergent area of discovery and broader impact.”
Summary
The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated $11.4 million for six projects in quantum information science, aiming to advance research in fusion and plasma science. The projects will focus on developing quantum algorithms relevant to fusion and plasma physics, creating high-sensitivity measurement techniques for plasmas, and exploring the use of high energy density physics methods for quantum information science materials discovery and synthesis.
- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced an investment of $11.4 million into six projects related to quantum information science (QIS) that are relevant to fusion and plasma science.
- The funding is provided through the Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program, which aims to expand understanding of matter at high temperatures and densities, and to develop a scientific foundation for fusion energy.
- The QIS portfolio within FES supports research opportunities that could have a transformative impact on fusion and discovery plasma science, and also aims to advance the field of Quantum Information Science.
- Jean Paul Allain, Associate Director of Science for FES, stated that these awards will advance priority research opportunities and position FES to benefit from QIS sensing techniques and future quantum computing hardware.
- The funded projects will focus on advancing quantum algorithms relevant to fusion and plasma physics, developing high-sensitivity measurement techniques for plasmas, and exploring the use of high energy density physics methods for novel QIS materials discovery and synthesis.
- The projects, selected through competitive peer review, will last up to three years, with funding split between FY23 and subsequent years, contingent on congressional appropriations.
