Quantum research boost

DOE Drives Quantum Science Study Forward Via New Princeton Lab Facility

The Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory has opened a new Quantum Diamond Lab focused on plasma processes research to create diamond material suitable for quantum information science applications, including the DOE’s fusion energy program.

In January 2020, the DOE announced that it would spend up to $625 million over five years to support the creation of as many as five quantum information science research centers.

The DOE’s Office of Energy Science supported QDL’s establishment, with additional Princeton University funding to help the new lab’s long-term growth, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory said Tuesday

The new facility, which builds on PPPL’s over 70 years of fusion energy research, features plasma machines using diamond material mixed with other elements to create quantum bits used in such tasks as measuring the inside temperature of microscopic cells.

Alastair Stacey, QDL head and PPPL’s managing principal research physicist, expects that the new lab will “significantly advance the use of existing plasma tools” and lead to inventing new ones and developing new quantum materials.