EQI RESEARCH AREAS
EQI donations support a diverse array of research efforts with an emphasis on projects that require interdisciplinary collaboration. Below is a partial list of research initiatives (mentioned by independent EQI Network programs) that are bolstered by funds from EQI grants.
High Fidelity Qubit Operations with Trapped Radium Ions
PI: Andrew Jayich UCSB
Provided seed funding for a 468 nm wavelength laser that is necessary for qubit state readout.
PI: William Evans UCI
The Evans group synthesizes new classes of molecular rare-earth metal complexes with the goal of finding new properties and new opportunities in quantum science. The group has made new classes of single-molecule magnets as well as a new type of molecular qubit.
Quantum Interference in Topological Insulator/Superconductor Platform
PIs: Susanne Stemmer and Leon Balents UCSB
This project aims to take this approach a major step further by employing a unique and substantially advanced materials platform.
Hybrid Silicon-Nitride Superfluid-Helium Optomechanics
PI: Dirk Bouwmeester UCSB
This project proposes to combine the best of two worlds by covering an on-chip ultra-low loss photonic waveguide with superfluid Helium, which is the ultimate dissipation-free phonon medium.
Quantum Dynamics and Curved Spacetime
PI: David Weld UCSB
The goals of this project are to demonstrate the emergence of black-hole and white-hole event horizons in strongly-driven cavities and measure the dependence of fixpoint dynamics on drive parameters.
Studying Properties of Rare-Earth Quantum Magnets
PI: Sasha Chernyshev UCI
The Chernyshev group focuses on theoretical studies of the rare-earth-based quantum magnets, in which strongly spin-orbit-coupled f-shells of the rare-earths facilitate anisotropic spin-spin interactions.
High Fidelity Qubit Operations with Trapped Radium Ions
PI: Filipp Furche UCSB
The Furche research group’s research interests span quantum chemistry from formal electronic structure theory through software development to applications together with experimental groups.
Novel Quantum Sensors with Single Molecule Magnets
PI: Wilson Ho UCI
The Ho group develops novel quantum sensors based on a single magnetic molecule attached to the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to achieve atomic scale spatial resolution in magnetic sensing.
Exploring Quantum Spin Dynamics and Magnon Condensation in Rare Earth Magnetic Oxides.
PI: Ilya Krivorotov UCI
The Krivorotov group studies relativistic quantum phenomena of spin-orbit torques in ferro- and ferromagnetic rare earth oxides such as Y3Fe5O12 (yttrium iron garnet or YIG) and LaxSr1-xMnO3 (LSMO), as well as Bose-Einstein condensation of magnons in these materials.
Quantum Acoustics in Diamond with SiV Center
PI: Ania Jayich UCSB
This project focuses on replacing NV centers with SiV centers so as to reach the high cooperativity regime.
Using Charge Carriers to Perturb the Candidate Spin Liquid State of NaRuO2
PI: Stephen Wilson UCSB
This project looks to explore the hypothesis that charge-doping a Mott insulator with a quantum spin liquid ground state results in an unconventional (potentially high-temperature) superconducting phase.
Investigating Topological Surfaces, Spin-Vibration Couplings, and Magnetic Molecules to Advance Robust Qubit Design for Quantum Computing.
PI: Ruqian Wu UCI
The Wu group studies topological properties of SmB6 surface as well as rare earth and actinide atoms in oxide lattices for use as qubits. Theoretical analyses for the possibility of making exceedingly long coherence time of qubits with spin-vibration couplings was recently done.
Stabilization of Topological Surface States in SmB₆ through Strain Engineering, enabling quantum oscillation studies and high-temperature RF device operation.
PI: Jing Xia UCI
The Xia group investigates quantum transport and magnetic phenomena in SmB₆, using strain to suppress valence fluctuations and stabilize its topological surface state up to 240 K—advancing ambient-temperature operation of a SmB₆-based RF oscillator.
Novel Quantum Sensors with Single Molecule Magnets
Graduate Fellow: Farnaz Kaboudvand UCSB
PI: Ram Seshadri UCSB
The Seshadri group applies density functional theory to investigate crystal chemistry and structure–property relationships in quantum materials, enabling compositional tuning of magnetics, thermoelectrics, and redox-active solids for advanced functionality
Photo-Induced Metastable Quantum Phases
PI's: Joseph Falson & David Hsieh Caltech
Falson and Hsieh at Caltech pioneer laser-driven synthesis of rare-earth iridates to bypass kinetic barriers and unlock elusive topological phases governed by strong electron correlations and spin-orbit coupling.
Molecular Metamagnets and Spin Dynamics
Graduate Fellow: Phoebe Hertler UCSB
PI: Trevor Hayton UCSB
The Hayton group, with Graduate Fellow Phoebe Hertler, designs and studies metal-metal bonded nanoclusters—such as Fe₄ and Cu₆Tl systems—to explore spin-orbit effects and slow magnetic relaxation, advancing molecular metamagnetism for quantum applications.
Using Charge Carriers to Perturb the Candidate Spin Liquid State of NaRuO2
PI: Stephen Wilson UCSB
This project looks to explore the hypothesis that charge-doping a Mott insulator with a quantum spin liquid ground state results in an unconventional (potentially high-temperature) superconducting phase.
Investigating Topological Surfaces, Spin-Vibration Couplings, and Magnetic Molecules to Advance Robust Qubit Design for Quantum Computing.
PI's: Joseph Falson & Andrei Faraon Caltech
Faraon and Falson at Caltech explore pure Zinc Oxide as a magnetically quiet host for atomic-scale quantum defects, aiming to enable scalable, optically addressable qubits for future quantum technologies.
