Zhang Joins Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center

MSE assistant professor Zheshen Zhang is part of the newly established $115 million Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center, led by the U.S. Department of Energy's Fermilab. The center aims to build a quantum computer and develop quantum sensors that could lead to discoveries about dark matter and other elusive subatomic particles. Zhang's contributions focus on increasing the precision of quantum sensing for applications including GPS systems, astronomy laboratories, biomedical imaging and fundamental physics. He is joined on the project by Bane Vasić, professor of electrical and computer engineering and mathematics and a member of the university's BIO5 Institute; and Quntao Zhuang, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and optical sciences.

"The University of Arizona has both theoretical and experimental expertise, and we have three very complementary roles for this sensing effort," Zhang said.

The centers are also dedicated to inspiring and training students. In tandem with the research being done at the Center for Quantum Networks and the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center, the university is developing a graduate program in quantum information science and engineering.

"Quantum computing is going to completely transform our current technology and become a driver for the economy," Zhang said. "We expect the centers will play a major role in changing the next generation of our workforce."