qSIME - Quantum simulations and measurements for nanotechnology
Table of contents
Project description
qSIME is one of our new profiling areas, funded by the 8th profiling call by the Research Council of Finland. It is designed to enhance our unique multidisciplinary profile in quantum research by strengthening the research activity in the existing interdisciplinary nanomaterials research at Nanoscience center (NSC) and combining it with quantum information technology developed at IT-faculty. qSIME consists of three focus areas:
- Quantum simulations
- Quantum software and algorithms
- Quantum measurements and fabrication
This profiling area enforces our strong computational nanoscience and experimental quantum materials research by bringing quantum simulations into the computational methodologies and enhancing the experimental capabilities via state-of-the-art techniques for the research of quantum technologies. qSIME has a high potential to improve the quality of our University’s research in these fields by combining interdisciplinary nanoscience research with advanced quantum computing.
In particular, qSIME seeks to pioneer the application of quantum computing in simulating nanomaterials.
The director of qSIME is Professor Jussi Toppari and the Vice Director is Professor Teiko Heinosaari.
The quantum simulations focus area aims to enhance and ensure the continuity of our already strong computational nanoscience expertise by including quantum computing among our methodologies. Classical computers cannot accurately simulate extended quantum matter, but full-scale quantum computers are yet to come. In the meantime, we can move towards full quantum simulations by augmenting classical computation with tasks performed by current NISQ (noisy intermediate scale quantum)-level quantum processors. This focus area aims to realize specific quantum simulation algorithms relevant to quantum nanomaterial studies, rather than developing generic algorithms. It strengthens collaboration between our academic units (NSC and IT) through essential knowledge exchange, supporting other NSC groups to adopt quantum simulations in their research, such as gaining new insights into the behavior of biomolecules, surface catalysis, or any quantum materials.
The quantum software and algorithms focus area aims to ensure a timely response to the ongoing demand for quantum software and algorithm research in Finland and globally, as well as to establish a full-stack quantum computing platform for computational sciences. Algorithms for universal quantum computers assume unlimited qubits and error-free operations, while rapidly developing algorithms for NISQ computers acknowledge limited qubits and runtime. This focus area seeks to develop and deploy quantum algorithms, focusing on variational quantum algorithms and quantum simulations. It involves research into suitable programming languages, early prototyping, and infrastructures for deployment in diverse contexts, including HPC and quantum computers. The goal is to design and implement a hardware-independent, full-stack quantum computing environment for computational scientists, with software packaged and distributed with learning material.
The quantum measurements and fabrication focus area aims to enhance the experimental capabilities and strong quantum research at JYU through state-of-the-art techniques for quantum measurements and novel nanofabrication methods for producing new quantum nanomaterials. This ensures that JYU's experimental know-how remains at the forefront of the field. It focuses on novel physical implementations of qubits to contribute to the next generation of quantum computers and is linked with the joint private-public open-access infrastructure for quantum technology research at NSC. This environment, funded by Business Finland and private enterprises, provides sophisticated electrical quantum measurement capabilities. The focus area leverages this infrastructure for the broader quantum ecosystem and boosts nanofabrication capabilities essential for realizing nanoscale devices and prototypes related to next-generation quantum technologies. The multidisciplinary research at NSC benefits from the enhanced experimental quantum infrastructure, supporting the development of ultra-sensitive detectors and sophisticated biomolecular entities.
The qSIME profiling area supports our ongoing efforts to integrate quantum technology into our university's educational activities. The new international master’s degree program in high-performance computing (HPC) educates multidisciplinary specialists, and also prepares future researchers and experts for the field of quantum computing. This program is organized in collaboration with the Faculties of Mathematics and Science, and IT, and is also connected to other educational opportunities such as the international mater's degree programs in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in IT and in Nanoscience in NSC (Faculty of Mathematics and Science). This profiling area provides support for these activities, along with the new BSc programme in Nanoscience. Beyond the basic education, researchers are trained as part of Finland’s national Doctoral Education Pilot, Qdoc, connected to the Finnish Quantum Flagship (FQF). We also educate the public by developing accessible Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), such as the ABC of quantum computing. This is the first Finnish course on quantum computing aimed at the public.
To maximize societal impact, we strive for open access to our infrastructure, software and publications, in line with JYU’s strategy. One goal of the third focus area is to help external users get access to upcoming open-access quantum infrastructure environment for the R&D of quantum technology companies.
