Fermilab and Microsoft Join Forces on Quantum Research

Fermilab and Microsoft have formed a partnership to advance quantum research. The collaboration involves opening a new quantum hardware makerspace in Maryland's Discovery District, where researchers from academia, industry, and government will work together on hands-on training projects.

As part of this effort, Fermilab is expanding the capabilities of its Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit (QICK), an open-source system for controlling and reading out quantum bits. The QICK was originally designed for superconducting qubits but has since been adapted to work with other types of qubits as well.

Fermilab's Chief Technology Officer, Anna Grassellino, stated that the lab is committed to keeping QICK open-source, allowing users from academia, national labs, and industry to train the quantum workforce and build applications on top of it.