Quantum dot qubits are the future of quantum computing, and SLAC scientist Shannon Harvey is at the forefront of this exciting field. Harvey's research focuses on developing scalable quantum dots that can be manufactured at scale while addressing challenges such as noise and qubit control. Her work explores quantum dot technologies as a potential pathway toward building larger quantum processors using semiconductor-compatible approaches.
What makes quantum dot qubits so compelling is their scalability. Harvey explains, "You can put a ton of them on a chip and then build a quantum computer on that chip." This scalability is both a feature and a bug, as it means quantum dots can be made affordably, perform consistently and reliably, and can compatibly work with larger systems and existing technologies.
However, the challenge is that a chip chock-a-block with dots is noisy. The noise muddles the qubit's signal, making it difficult to control the qubit's energy. Harvey's job is to create a quiet environment in which a massive quantum dot brigade can perform harmoniously, sending and receiving data with no interference, no snags.
Harvey's work is a mix of materials science, computer science, engineering, and basic physics, not to mention patience, exploration, and ingenuity. She reaches across the disciplinary aisle at SLAC to connect with cosmologists building detectors for studying the outer universe. This open environment at SLAC, where researchers explore nature at both extremes of scale, has been a special experience for Harvey.
Harvey's journey into quantum research began with a lack of interest in science as a child. She enjoyed math but found it not quite connected to the real world. As an undergraduate at Cornell University, she saw that physics gave her a way to connect with and answer many of the questions she had about the real world. She fell in love with experimental physics and earned her doctorate from Harvard and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University.
Harvey's experience as a postdoc illuminated the lightning-fast progress that quantum information science had made in only a few years. She was amazed at the advancements and the community's intellectual vibrancy in quantum. The pace of advancements in quantum technology is not expected to let up, and Harvey is excited to be part of this rapidly evolving field.
In conclusion, Harvey's work on scalable quantum dot qubits is a testament to her passion and expertise in quantum information science. Her research has the potential to revolutionize the field of quantum computing and bring us closer to building larger quantum processors using semiconductor-compatible approaches.
