Out of the desert, a quantum powerhouse rises

QNM-i News

Posted: Feb 27, 2024

Postdoctoral researcher Caitlin McCowan inspects pieces of silicon at the atomic level. She uses a scanning tunneling microscope to spot imperfections as part of a quantum research project at Sandia National Laboratories. (Photo by Craig Fritz)

In January, Sandia and UNM created the Quantum New Mexico Institute, a cooperatively run research center headquartered at the university. This marks a major milestone in the comprehensive strategy to advance research, court businesses and train a quantum-ready workforce.

“Our vision is to make New Mexico a destination for quantum companies and scientists across the world,” said Setso Metodi, institute co-director and Sandia manager of quantum computer science.

The plan started taking shape in 2021. Sandia’s deputy chief research officer, Basil Hassan, and UNM’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, James Holloway, launched a “road map” of large collaborative partnerships for the two institutions.