Stavropoulos Center for Complex Quantum Matter

We are entering the Quantum Age of materials. Quantum material is not a new state of matter because it is intrinsic to everything, but we will utilize the finer qualities of quantum mechanics and elementary particles, the superposition of their states, and their entanglement. This can create more efficient, reliable, and powerful computing for use in big data management, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, in addition to better instrumentation in cryptography, sensors, medical diagnostics, and more. Modern quantum computers are based on complex photonic structures, ion traps of cold atoms, and superconducting circuits working at extremely low temperatures in highly protected environments. When quantum computers and quantum sensors become widespread commercially available tools frequently used in laboratories, hospitals, and in our everyday life, they will be solid-state devices operating at room temperature. The Stavropoulos Center for Complex Quantum Matter is established to work in state-of-the-art research in solid-state quantum sciences and to prepare future experts to implement the breakthroughs of the next quantum revolution into technologies that will benefit our society. 

The College of Science at Notre Dame perceived the advent of the new era and decided to establish a coherent program in the field of quantum materials through the creation of the Stavropoulos Center. Beyond having great discoveries, our university research in quantum materials is essential to prepare future scientists to implement the breakthroughs of the next quantum revolution into technologies that will benefit society. To begin, eight faculty lines are attributed to the SCCQM. This network of principal investigators is determined to cover the essential areas of research in quantum materials. These fields are materials discovery (imaging and synthesizing new materials along with our goals), electronic transport and magnetism (to learn the basic properties), state-of-the-art microscopy techniques that give atomic-resolution images for quantum materials and phenomena, out-of-equilibrium condensed matter (to learn how our materials respond to strong external disturbances), as well as two theory lines in time-dependent phenomena and quantum information.