Berkeley Lab is forging solutions to harness quantum information science and technology for discoveries that will improve our lives, from new materials to secure communications.
We’re pioneering work across the quantum research ecosystem—from theory to application— partnering with industry and academia to fabricate and test quantum-based devices, develop software and algorithms, build a prototype computer and network, and apply these innovations for breakthroughs in physics and chemistry. We also provide hands-on training for the future quantum workforce.

“A quantum computer gives us the potential to study problems that realistically reflect the complexities of nature and solve specific tasks faster than classical computers.”
BERT DE JONG
Acting Head of the Computational Science Department
Computing Sciences Area
Quantum Materials
Predicting, designing, and synthesizing quantum materials and tailoring their properties to address pressing technological needs.
Quantum Hardware
Designing and fabricating proof-of-principle and prototype quantum processors, controls, sensors, and more.
Quantum Software and Protocols
Developing algorithms and programming tools to harness the power of quantum computing.
Quantum Communications and Networks
Developing a prototype quantum network based on entanglement to connect quantum testbeds.
Advancing Science with Quantum
Exploring the application of quantum computing for discoveries in physics, chemistry, biology, and more.
Training the Quantum Workforce
Growing a next-generation workforce to keep the nation at the forefront of quantum science innovation.
Facilities, Centers, Projects, and Programs

Quantum Systems Accelerator (QSA)
Bringing together an ecosystem of 80 world-class researchers from 15 partner institutions to catalyze national leadership in quantum information science.

Advanced Quantum Testbed (AQT)
A collaborative research laboratory and open access testbed to advance quantum computing based on superconducting circuits.

Quantum Network Testbed (QUANT-NET)
QUANT-NET brings together world-leading expertise in quantum technologies, optics, materials, networks, testbed operations, and other assets from Berkeley Lab, UC Berkeley, and Caltech in order to build a proof-of-concept quantum network based on entanglement.

Center for Novel Pathways to Quantum Coherence in Materials for Energy (NPQC) EFRC
NPQC’s objective is to dramatically expand our control and understanding of coherence in solids by building on fundamental materials discoveries in recent years.

Quantum Information Science at the Molecular Foundry
Scientists are creating a “nanofabrication cluster toolset” that allows users to investigate the fundamental limits of state-of-the-art quantum systems. Another effort is developing a unique suite of electron beam-based metrology techniques.

QuantISED Quest Program
Berkeley Lab is developing sensors that enlist properties of quantum physics to probe for dark matter particles in new ways, with increased sensitivity and in previously unexplored energy regimes.

Quantum Materials Program
This program seeks to investigate the properties of strongly correlated materials by shining light onto them.

ALS: Quantum Materials Research & Discovery Thrust Area
Advancing the development and understanding of new synthetic materials and their electronic, spin, chemical, and physical properties.

Superconducting Structures for Large Scale Qubit Integration and Photonic Transduction
This program seeks to elucidate and enhance entanglement generation and characterization in superconducting films/interfaces in combination with transduction between microwave photons and solid matter.

Earth Quantum Lab
Scientists are building a quantum sensing instrument for sensitive physical metrology, magnetometry and chemical detection.

Advancing Integrated Development Environments for Quantum Computing through Fundamental Research (AIDE-QC)
Scientists are developing and delivering an open-source computing, programming, and simulation environment that supports the large diversity of quantum computing research at the Department of Energy.

NERSC: Quantum Information Science
The goal of the program is to allow researchers to use Perlmutter to help develop QIS devices and techniques for the advancement of science.

AI-enabled Control for Enhancing Quantum Transduction
This project aims to up the efficiency of converting optic signals to quantum connections.

The Berkeley Quantum Synthesis Toolkit (BQSKit)
The Berkeley Quantum Synthesis Toolkit (BQSKit) is a superoptimizing quantum compiler and research vehicle that combines ideas from several projects at LBNL into an easily accessible and quickly extensible software suite.

Quantum Algorithms Team
An integrated team of scientists developing quantum algorithms for chemical sciences, closely working together with computer scientists, applied mathematicians and the quantum hardware developers.
Related News

Paving the Way for a Nationwide Quantum Internet
Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley will be home to a cutting-edge quantum network testbed. The goal is to build a distributed quantum network between Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley that will help realize the DOE’s vision of establishing a nationwide quantum Internet.
PODCAST | SEASON 1, EPISODE 4 | JUNE 30, 2021
A Day in the Half-Life: Quantum Computing
Lawrence Schrodinger’s cat is alive and well … as a guiding principle in modern quantum computers! Check out episode of our podcast, A Day In The Half Life, to hear what’s going on with quantum computing at Berkeley Lab.
VIDEO | MAY 19, 2021
Basics2Breakthroughs: Harnessing quantum mechanics for real world applications
Berkeley Lab Research Scientist and QSA researcher Mekena Metcalf is a Quantum Wrangler who develops computer software and theory to control quantum systems with electromagnetic waves. Controlling quantum systems efficiently will allow the implementation of quantum algorithms for next-generation high-performance computing, develop accurate sensors to measure elusive properties of the universe like dark-matter, and teleport quantum information from one scientific facility to another.
People of Berkeley Lab

Lindsay Bassman
Postdoc
AIDE-QC Program
Applied Mathematics and Computational Research
“Quantum computing is cool because it allows us to simulate quantum systems — extremely small systems that are really difficult to simulate in the lab — in real experiments.”

Irfan Siddiqi
Director of the Advanced Quantum Testbed (AQT)
Computing Sciences Area
“With this cutting-edge testbed we are asking and evaluating the basic science questions needed to guide the future development of quantum computers.”

Inder Monga
Director of QUANT-NET
Director of the Scientific Networking Division
Director of ESnet
“Berkeley Lab has the network deployment expertise and protocol knowledge to work hand-in-hand with the quantum physicists, scientists, and device and system manufacturers to ensure the right architecture is chosen to realize DOE’s vision of a quantum Internet.”