What exotic properties of quantum mechanics give quantum computers their power? How do we scale up that weirdness from the size of an atom to the size of a mainframe? Our theory team, led by Professor Stephen Bartlett, Professor Andrew Doherty, Dr Sahand Mahmoodian, and Dr Dominic Williamson,   exploits the latest results from quantum materials, the mathematics of topology, quantum optics, machine learning and even string theory to design the best quantum architectures for tomorrow's supercomputers.

Controlling ensembles of trapped atomic ions allows Dr Ting Rei Tan and Dr Robert Wolf’s team to develop new quantum technologies. The team focuses on applying control engineering principles to manipulate quantum devices and create innovative quantum simulators for chemistry and materials science, along with new quantum sensors that will transform precision metrology. The group is also advancing the use of levitated nanoparticles for sensing applications and exploring fundamental questions in quantum foundations, opening new pathways for practical technologies and deep insights into the nature of quantum mechanics. and precision metrology.

Understanding the properties of optically active atoms in crystals allows  Dr John Bartholomew's team to design interfaces between light and matter to connect qubits through optical networks. The study of materials at the atomic scale provides the knowledge for the team to engineer on-chip quantum connections between light, electronics, and atoms as a basis for larger scale quantum computers, a quantum internet, and accessing unexplored regimes of precision measurement.

Superconducting circuits create new possibilities to explore fundamental physics and build hardware for high-performance quantum technologies. Dr Xanthe Croot’s team design, fabricate and measure superconducting circuits  designed for quantum information processing, and engineer connections between superconductors and other quantum hardware (e.g. semiconductors) to develop hybrid quantum technologies.

Quantum science domain leader Dr Ivan Kassal and his group look at quantum effects in biological and chemical systems. This work has applications in the development of next-generation solar cells and other renewable energy materials; understanding energy transport in disordered systems, such as in photosynthesis; and in quantum simulation to design improved chemical reactions.

FLiQC is shaping Australia’s quantum future by training a skilled, diverse, and industry-connected research workforce. Funded by the Australian Research Council, and supported by five leading universities, and 13 industry and government partners, FLiQC is playing a central role in advancing quantum computing. In particular, the FLiQC PhD program and postdoctoral opportunities are equipping emerging leaders with the skills and experience needed to innovate in this rapidly evolving field. The FLiQC research program spans all elements of quantum computing stack, including quantum device engineering, scalable architectures, and advanced algorithm design. 

Emergence Quantum is on a mission to provide solutions that enable tomorrow’s advanced computers. Led by Co-Founders Professor David Reilly and Thomas Ohki, the company focuses on quantum computing, quantum sensing and energy efficient computing platforms and infrastructure. The team specialises in areas including cryogenic control electronics and complex system integration.

Q-CTRL is the first venture-capital backed quantum technology company to be spun-out from the University of Sydney. Led by CEO Professor Michael Biercuk, Q-Ctrl is taking research on quantum control out of the laboratory and developing commercial software that can be used to reduce errors in quantum systems.

The Sydney Quantum Academy, established in 2019, is a partnership between The University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Technology Sydney and Macquarie University, sponsored by the New South Wales government. The SQA’s overarching goal is to establish an ecosystem for education, community and industry engagement, and innovation in quantum science and technology. Amongst other things, the SQA offers a PhD Experience program in quantum science, prestigious PhD and postdoctoral scholarships, and hosts international visitors.

The Quantum Nanoscience Laboratory at the University of Sydney offers extensive measurement capability combining ultra-low temperatures (dilution fridges with based temperatures below 10 millikelvin) with a suite of radio and microwave frequency electronics and test equipment. Our research is exploring many of the engineering challenges for reading out and controlling qubits in scaled-up architectures.

In addition, the research group are developing specialised instrumentation and tools needed to undertake the next generation of quantum experiments, such as high-speed cryogenic electronics. The facilities at Sydney include purpose-built laboratories and cleanrooms for nanofabrication and quantum science. These facilities enable a range of nanoscale quantum systems to be investigated at low temperature, high magnetic field and on short timescales - where exotic quantum phenomena become apparent.

Professor David J. Reilly is the Co-Founder and CEO of Emergence Quantum, Director of Sydney Nanoscience Laboratory, and a Professor in the School of Physics.

The Quantum Control Laboratory Research Group is focused on the development of quantum control, simulation and metrology techniques. The research uses collections of trapped atomic ions as model quantum coherent systems. Looking ahead, the group is also advancing the use of levitated nanoparticles for sensing applications and exploring fundamental questions in quantum foundations, opening new pathways for practical technologies and deep insights into the nature of quantum mechanics. Experimental tools used include laser-cooled beryllium ions in a Penning trap, ytterbium ions in a Paul trap, ultra-high-phase-stability microwave oscillators, specialty UV lasers and a toolkit of novel control protocols.

The group is currently led by Dr Ting Rei Tan and Dr Robert Wolf. The laboratory was founded by Professor Michael Biercuk, an experimental physicist working to engineer a new generation of advanced quantum technologies. Professor Biercuk is also the founder and CEO of Q-Ctrl, a quantum technology start-up based at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub.

The Quantum Integration Laboratory aims to develop quantum networking solutions to enable more powerful quantum technologies through the long-distance distribution of entanglement.

The laboratory  is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for precision optical and microwave measurement of quantum systems held at low temperature, such as rare-earth atoms embedded in transparent solids. These facilities  include a dilution refrigerator capable of reaching temperatures below 10 mK, and infrared lasers with ultra-high frequency stability.