Quantum Research Institute | New architectures for neutral atom quantum computing
Jeff Thompson (Princeton University)

Thursday, October 9, 2025
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Virtual
In-Person: Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project - 2000PML
Zoom: https://umich.zoom.us/j/91548361604?jst=2
Abstract: I will present recent theoretical and experimental developments on fault-tolerant quantum computing with neutral 171Yb atoms. On the theoretical side, I will discuss hardware-efficient implementations of error correction leveraging unique features of neutral atom qubits. I will also present experimental realizations of these concepts with physical and logical qubits, as well as advances in the design and implementation of robust entangling gates. Finally, I will discuss recent results from a second-generation tweezer array capable of rapid, continuous mid-circuit atom replacement, and sketch a path towards unlimited-depth fault-tolerant quantum circuits.
Bio
Jeff Thompson is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Princeton, and is an associated faculty member in the Physics and in the Princeton Materials Institute. His research focuses on developing scalable quantum technologies based on atomic qubits. His group pioneered ytterbium (Yb) neutral atom qubits through a research program spanning fundamental atomic spectroscopy, the design and implementation of record-fidelity quantum gates, logical qubit circuits and a novel, hardware-efficient fault-tolerant quantum computing architecture based on erasure conversion. Thompson’s group is also pursuing the development of modular quantum interconnects using both neutral atom qubits and solid-state rare earth ion defects. In 2024, Thompson co-founded Logiqal, Inc. to pursue the development of large-scale modular quantum computers based on Yb qubits.
Zoom: https://umich.zoom.us/j/91548361604?jst=2
Abstract: I will present recent theoretical and experimental developments on fault-tolerant quantum computing with neutral 171Yb atoms. On the theoretical side, I will discuss hardware-efficient implementations of error correction leveraging unique features of neutral atom qubits. I will also present experimental realizations of these concepts with physical and logical qubits, as well as advances in the design and implementation of robust entangling gates. Finally, I will discuss recent results from a second-generation tweezer array capable of rapid, continuous mid-circuit atom replacement, and sketch a path towards unlimited-depth fault-tolerant quantum circuits.
Bio
Jeff Thompson is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Princeton, and is an associated faculty member in the Physics and in the Princeton Materials Institute. His research focuses on developing scalable quantum technologies based on atomic qubits. His group pioneered ytterbium (Yb) neutral atom qubits through a research program spanning fundamental atomic spectroscopy, the design and implementation of record-fidelity quantum gates, logical qubit circuits and a novel, hardware-efficient fault-tolerant quantum computing architecture based on erasure conversion. Thompson’s group is also pursuing the development of modular quantum interconnects using both neutral atom qubits and solid-state rare earth ion defects. In 2024, Thompson co-founded Logiqal, Inc. to pursue the development of large-scale modular quantum computers based on Yb qubits.
Building: | Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project |
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Event Link: | |
Event Type: | Workshop / Seminar |
Tags: | Chemistry, Computer Science And Engineering, Electrical And Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering And Computer Science, Materials Science, Physics, Quantum, Quantum Computing, Quantum Science |
Source: | Happening @ Michigan from Quantum Research Institute, Department of Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering Division, Applied Physics, Department of Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Quantum Research Institute |
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Quantum Research Institute | New architectures for neutral atom quantum computing
Jeff Thompson (Princeton University)
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2000PML
Virtual