{"id":130827,"date":"2025-09-09T18:21:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T18:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/130827\/"},"modified":"2025-09-09T18:21:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T18:21:07","slug":"push-the-limits-a-look-into-the-cornell-quantum-computing-association","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/130827\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cPush the limits\u201d: A Look into the Cornell Quantum Computing Association"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two years ago, the Cornell Quantum Computing Association<\/a> did not exist. Flash forward to today, QCA is at the forefront of cutting-edge work in quantum hardware, standing out as one of the few undergraduate groups in the nation building and publishing their own findings.<\/p>\n

Founded in the fall of 2023, QCA has since obtained over 30 active members, split across 3 separate teams \u2014 algorithms, theory and hardware. Each team shares the same goal of educating students to build projects in the field of quantum technology. Quantum computing<\/a> is an emerging field that utilizes certain principles within quantum mechanics, such as processing information using qubits. Qubits are unique and different from classical bits as they can exist in multiple states simultaneously, enabling certain problems to be solved much faster than with classical or traditional computers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re trying to build something that doesn\u2019t exist anywhere else,\u201d said Haadi Khan \u201927, president of QCA. \u201cQuantum computing is a mix of computer science, physics and math \u2014\u00a0 and we\u2019re creating a space for students to actually explore that, hands-on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haadi joined the club in the spring of 2024, drawn by his interest in computer science and physics. Austin Wu \u201927, the co-founder and vice president & hardware lead of QCA, started the group early in his freshman year.<\/p>\n

QCA is divided into two separate components \u2014 an education side and a research project-focused side. The educational side of QCA plays a vital role in the club, offering lectures and problem sets similar to those found in an introductory quantum mechanics course. Since most students join with limited prior knowledge, this lecture series ensures that the QCA members are equipped with the base knowledge required to contribute to advanced research projects. Between the two, the club seeks to comprehensively cover quantum computing.<\/p>\n

The education side offers a series of lectures and practice problems introducing students to quantum mechanics<\/a>, the branch of physics that specializes in how energy and matter behave at the atomic and subatomic scale. In the spring, the club has a deeper emphasis on the technical aspect and hosts a series of workshops. Compared to the fall, which has an emphasis on fundamental theory, spring workshops place a greater emphasis on the technical aspect of implementation – coding up quantum algorithms, designing hardware such as circuits, and understanding academic research papers. All new members have to participate in these courses, which are taught by Haadi.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The club\u2019s research project-focused side is focusing on cutting-edge research, particularly in the design of a novel quantum memory device<\/a>\u2014 a system that has the potential to significantly improve how long quantum information is stored at room temperature. Currently, this is QCA\u2019s biggest project, and this involves building an entirely student-led experimental setup using custom-fabricated optics and circuits.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost systems store quantum information for around 100 milliseconds,\u201d Wu said. \u201cWe\u2019re aiming for an hour. We\u2019re hoping to break a few records.\u201d The team believes that this is feasible by enhancing and experimenting with optics and circuit design to store quantum information more stably than previous systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Beyond this hardware team, the club\u2019s theory team is working on topological quantum error correction \u2014- a way to preserve information in fragile quantum systems by layering in protections onto fault-tolerant codes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d normally only study this in a graduate math class,\u201d Wu said. \u201cBut we\u2019re doing it as undergrads.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the other end, the algorithms team is focused on quantum approximation algorithms, specifically working on problems related to QAA – a framework designed for near-term quantum computers. \u201cThey\u2019re doing stuff in QAA, which is like quantum approximation algorithms for near-term computers,\u201d Khan said. Since these algorithms are fitting for the current limitations of quantum hardware, this enables the team to engage in ongoing research practically.<\/p>\n

QCA works on these projects in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building, in collaboration with Prof. Katz\u2019s lab<\/a>. QCA aims to be able to eventually publish its products in a high-impact journal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Members of QCA handle everything from behind the circuit design and fabrication to understanding past literature and simulation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe read (academic) papers every week and talk about how to implement the ideas ourselves,\u201d Austin said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But this ambitious work is not without its challenges, as Haadi noted,\u201cIt\u2019s a major time commitment. I probably spend 10 to 12 hours a week on QCA, and the funding is tight \u2014 physics hardware is really expensive.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

In light of these challenges, Haadi highlights the unique drive within the club.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen someone hits a wall, the instinct here is to work harder,\u201d Haadi said. \u201cThat\u2019s what makes this club different.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the future, QCA aims to be able to publish their research, increase funding and inspire undergraduates to exceed their limits.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cIf you\u2019re curious and want to teach yourself something challenging,\u201d Haadi said, \u201cThis place is for you.\u201d <\/p>\n

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