Quantum Computing and Its Growing Presence at Duke – Get to Know Crystal Noel – Government Relations – Duke Today

Quantum computing enables researchers to solve problems that were previously impossible to solve, and its use is on the rise. In 2022, Crystal Noel joined Duke University as an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and physics. Noel brought her expertise as well as the Error-corrected Universal Reconfigurable Ion-trap Quantum Archetype (EURIQA), an advanced quantum computer system funded by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency (IARPA), along with her to the Duke Quantum Center.

The EURIQA system is currently the only one of its kind. It is the most powerful academic quantum computer available. This system could not have been built on this scale without the sustained commitment from IARPA. Crystal Noel

Collectively, members of the Duke Quantum Center have brought in over $170 million in funding and performed over $100 million in government contracts since 2007. Noel specializes in quantum error correction, adding to the Duke Quantum Centers rapidly growing knowledge base.

Drawing on her research, Noel answered several questions regarding her experiences in quantum computing, the value of federal funding, and provided advice for students interested in studying quantum computing:

My initial inspiration to study quantum computing came from my background in both computer science and physics. I enjoy the applications and utility of computer science, but physics captured my imagination. Quantum computing combines the two topics into a field of its own.

A common misunderstanding about quantum computing is that the power comes from creating superpositions of states, thereby allowing parallel processing of a problem on all possible inputs at once. While this property is important, it is not enough. When a quantum system is measured, it collapses onto a single state, making it impossible to get all the answers from all the inputs in one measurement. The real promise of the power of quantum computing comes from quantum interference and entanglement, which are quantum properties that are much harder to grasp. Even Einstein called entanglement spooky action at a distance.

The EURIQA system is currently the only one of its kind. It is the most powerful academic quantum computer available. This system could not have been built on this scale without the sustained commitment from IARPA, as well as the ambitious goals of the IARPA LogiQ program to push towards an extremely capable device.

One thing that I have really enjoyed about working on the EURIQA system is collaborating closely with theorists to bring their ideas to reality. I am looking forward to the development of the Duke Quantum Center into a user facility with multiple systems running a diverse array of applications. I hope that we have theorists visiting from all over the world to work with us to study problems in physics, chemistry, or even biology.

There are many ways to contribute to the quantum community science writing, software development, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, quantum physics, algorithms, and more. With the industry and research growing so fast, there is a need for all types of folks to jump in and keep quantum moving. Try to read about the current research and find what problems you find exciting to tackle. Its an exciting time for quantum, so come and join us!

By Deven Stewart, 2/16/22

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Quantum Computing and Its Growing Presence at Duke - Get to Know Crystal Noel - Government Relations - Duke Today