The University of New Mexico (UNM) and Sandia National Laboratories are partnering to establish the Quantum New Mexico Institute (QNM-I), aiming to make New Mexico a national hub for quantum science. The institute will build on the state’s history in Quantum Information Science (QIS) and aims to attract global talent and quantum companies. Key individuals involved include Ivan Deutsch, UNM professor and QNM-I founding director, and Setso Metodi, QNM-I co-director and Sandia Labs manager of quantum computer science. The initiative will also expand opportunities for students to participate in collaborative research.
The Quantum New Mexico Institute: A New Quantum Hub
The University of New Mexico (UNM) and Sandia National Laboratories are collaborating to establish the Quantum New Mexico Institute (QNM-I), a new research center aimed at advancing Quantum Information Science (QIS). The initiative is led by Ivan Deutsch, a distinguished professor at UNM and the founding director of QNM-I. Deutsch believes that New Mexico’s contribution to QIS will be crucial for future technological advancements.
The first quantum revolution has already significantly impacted our daily lives, underpinning technologies such as smartphones and GPS navigation. The second quantum revolution, which UNM and Sandia National Laboratories are helping to pioneer, is expected to supercharge information technologies. Over the past decade, UNM has produced more than 40 doctorates in physics who are now leading QIS research in academia, national labs, and industry across the nation. This has strengthened collaboration opportunities with partners worldwide.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Goals
The partnership between UNM and Sandia Labs has fostered a collaborative environment involving faculty, postdocs, and student researchers. In 2021, UNM Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs James Holloway and Sandia Deputy Chief Research Officer Basil Hassan initiated a “road map” of large collaborative partnerships. The QNM-I was developed through this initiative with additional goals of workforce and economic development, thereby enhancing New Mexico’s ability to capitalize on emerging quantum information businesses.
Setso Metodi, QNM-I co-director and Sandia Labs manager of quantum computer science envisions New Mexico as a global destination for quantum companies and scientists. The institute’s interdisciplinary foundation will encompass several departments across the University, including Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, and Physics & Astronomy.
The Role of the National Quantum Initiative Act
The National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Act of 2018 in the U.S. aims to expand the number of researchers, educators, and students trained in QIS and technology to develop a workforce pipeline. It also promotes the development and inclusion of multidisciplinary curriculum and research opportunities for QIS at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. The Act seeks to address basic research knowledge gaps, including computational research gaps, and further develop facilities and centers available for QIS research, testing, and education.
The Center for Quantum Information and Control
The Center for Quantum Information and Control (CQuIC), which will be part of the new QNM-I, participates in two of the NQI Centers. CQuIC is the recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Focused Research Hub in Theoretical Physics, which hosts a prize postdoctoral fellowship program. QNM-I leadership hopes to expand this momentum with new fellowship opportunities, including the Sandia Gil Herrera Fellowship in Quantum Information Science. UNM students will also have expanded opportunities to participate in collaborative research between UNM and the national labs.
New Mexico: A Major Player in Quantum Information Science
According to Deutsch, Quantum Information Science is a global endeavor, and New Mexico is a significant participant. The partnership between UNM and Sandia Labs is expected to raise New Mexico’s national profile, attracting some of the world’s best and most diverse talent. This powerful combination will enable the tackling of large, sponsored projects with student and faculty researchers at the forefront.