Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD, today announced a government investment of €10.8 million in research funding for 20 projects through Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) Starting Investigator Research Grant (SIRG), including a project led by Dr Gediminas Juska at Tyndall National Institute.
Dr Juska was awarded €423,000 to investigate deterministic photonic cluster states from pyramidal site-controlled quantum dots for measurement-based quantum computation.
The unparalleled calculation power of quantum computers will transform multiple aspects of present life. However, building one is a formidable task. Maintaining and continuously performing multiple quantum interactions within a complex network of quantum objects (qubits) is an extraordinary challenge. This research aims to remove the burden of this complexity by providing proof-of-concept, key functional components for an alternative type of quantum computation architecture. These elements are based on tiny bits of semiconductor, quantum dots, capable of shining strings of light quanta (photons) closely interconnected by quantum mechanical interactions, to be utilized for a novel game-changing simplified quantum-calculation procedure.
Congratulating Dr Juska, Professor Paul Townsend, Head of Photonics at Tyndall and Director of the SFI Irish Photonics Integration Centre (IPIC), said: “I am delighted that Dr Juska’s outstanding contributions in quantum photonics research are being recognised through this prestigious award. This new award will enable him to develop exciting new concepts in photonic cluster states, which have the potential to enable a new class of quantum computers with capabilities that that far exceed today’s computers. Dr Juska is a great example of the new generation of future research leaders that we are developing within Tyndall and IPIC and I am very proud that he will be taking his next career step with us here in Ireland. ”
Speaking of the awards, Minister Breen said: “I am delighted to announce these SFI Starting Investigator Awards which allow researchers to advance their work and further develop their careers as the next research leaders in Ireland and internationally. These innovative projects demonstrate the impressive cutting-edge research taking place across Ireland, which has significant potential to positively advance Ireland’s economy and society, and further solidify its reputation as a world-leader in scientific advancements.”
Welcoming the announcement, Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland said: “Science Foundation Ireland supports researchers at every stage of their careers. The SIRG awards help early-career researchers develop the essential skills and experience necessary to lead Ireland’s future research in areas such as health, energy, materials and technology. Having passed through a rigorous competitive international merit review process, these projects continue to advance Ireland’s international research reputation and I wish each awardee every success.”