Quantum Information Science at ORNL and the Quantum Revolution

Dr. Warren Grice, Quantum Information Science Section, Computational Sciences and Engineering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Abstract
I will speak on ORNL research in quantum information science (QIS), an emerging discipline aimed at harnessing quantum effects to realize new capabilities in communication, sensing, and computing. The disruptive potential of these new capabilities has led to strong interest from the Department of Energy and other federal agencies, as well as significant investment in the private sector. ORNL is leading one of the five DOE-funded National Quantum Information Science Research Centers.
Quantum communication uses the properties of quantum physics, which describes how quantum systems behave, to enable the secure transmission of information. Well-known quantum communication applications include quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum teleportation.
Quantum sensing uses quantum physics to measure physical quantities with higher sensitivity and accuracy than conventional techniques.
Quantum computing entails the manipulation of quantum states to carry out computations. Quantum computers will be able to carry out certain types of computations more quickly than even the most powerful digital supercomputers, as was demonstrated recently by an American company’s new quantum computer, one of the best innovations of 2024.
The control of physical systems at the quantum level poses formidable challenges that will require contributions from disparate fields including not only physics but also engineering, computer science, and material science, among others. With more than 20 years of research in QIS, as well as its broad scientific capabilities, ORNL is well-positioned to be a leading contributor in the effort to achieve the promises of QIS.
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Warren Grice, a distinguished research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is a member of the Quantum Communications and Networking Group in the Quantum Information Science Section of the Computational Sciences and Engineering Division. This organization carries out theoretical and experimental research in quantum communication, computing, and sensing. He received a Ph.D. in optics in 1998 from the University of Rochester and, after a postdoctoral appointment at ORNL, joined the research staff in 2002. He served as the QIS group leader at ORNL for nearly six years.
In addition, from 2018 to 2021, Dr. Grice participated in ORNL’s entrepreneurial leave program. Before coming to ORNL, he was a member of the physics faculty at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Dr. Grice’s research interests include quantum optics and non-classical light sources, as well as more general quantum information applications.