Joint Quantum Institute

08/25/2026

The NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Robust Quantum Simulation has renewed its funding, totaling $37.5 million. JQI Fellow Mohammad Hafezi will serve as its new director.

“We are at the cusp of determining exactly what quantum computers can and cannot do in the near future,” Hafezi says. “Realizing that potential will require vibrant partnerships among universities, federal laboratories and private industry, and we’re grateful for this renewed support to help lead that effort.”

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https://rqs.umd.edu/news/nsf-renews-maryland-led-quantum-simulation-institutes-funding

08/17/2026

JQI Co-Director Kartik Srinivasan is now the new editor-in-chief of Optica Quantum. He had been the journal's Deputy Editor since it began in 2023. https://www.optica.org/about/newsroom/news_releases/2026/optica_publishing_group_announces_new_editor-in-chief_of_optica_quantum/

08/07/2026

The University of Maryland and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have a deep partnership and are also tied together by about 38.5 miles of fiber optic cable. The partnership is highlighted in recent research into quantum networks. Quantum networks could supercharge scientific research, quantum computing and secure communications, but scientists must first find ways to protect fragile “entangled” quantum states of photons—particles of light—as they zip through optical fibers. In a step toward quantum networks, JQI and NIST researchers along with their collaborators sent entangled photons through commercial fiber connecting NIST’s Gaithersburg campus to UMD in College Park. Their success shows that fragile quantum entanglement can survive tough, real-world conditions.
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Read more:
https://jqi.umd.edu/news/quantum-particles-transit-dc-suburbs-step-toward-quantum-network

07/23/2026

Researchers at JQI and their collaborators explored how the probabilistic randomness of quantum computers, and their errors, may be beneficial to some AI models that are run on a quantum computer. By injecting various amounts of noise and quantum randomness during the operation of a basic AI model, the team determined that adding just the right amount improved its performance.
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Researchers at JQI and their collaborators explored how the probabilistic randomness of quantum computers, and their errors, may be beneficial to some AI models that are run on a quantum computer. By injecting various amounts of noise and quantum randomness during the operation of a basic AI model,....

06/15/2026

JQI researchers along with their colleagues want to make quantum particles work together more effectively. They proposed a way to create entangled states that coordinate quantum particles and could allow researchers to make future sensors more precise.
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Read more:
https://jqi.umd.edu/news/new-kind-entanglement-helps-quantum-sensors-tune-out-noise

05/22/2026

In a recent Scientific American article, JQI Fellow Alaina Green weighed in on the current state of the quantum computing industry and discussed ways they might deliver practical results in the future.

Will computers based on quantum physics really change the world?

05/22/2026

Congratulations to JQI Fellow Mohammad Hafezi, former JQI postdoc Mahmoud Mehrabad, JQI postdoc Zhi-Yuan Wei, and JQI graduate students Lida Xu and Supratik Sarkar for winning UMD's Quantum Technology Invention of the Year! Their invention could be used in new generations of computers that process information using light and support more energy-efficient AI infrastructure.
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Read more:
https://jqi.umd.edu/news/jqi-researchers-win-umds-quantum-technology-invention-year

04/14/2026

JQI Fellow Gretchen Campbell shared a message for world quantum day inviting everyone to explore the world of quantum physics and the exciting research happening at UMD, which is at the heart of the Capital of Quantum Initiative!

04/14/2026

We’re just 30 minutes from Avik Dutt, Emily Townsend and Alan Migdall answering questions about quantum research on a reddit AMA: https://go.umd.edu/jqi_ama

Join us to have your questions about quantum research answered!

04/14/2026

Happy World Quantum Day! JQI is at the heart of Maryland’s Capital of Quantum Initiative! To learn about the exciting quantum research at JQI, the University of Maryland and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), join us today for a World Quantum Day Reddit AMA at https://go.umd.edu/jqi_ama
or check out quantum.umd.edu