Two researchers at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience at Chalmers University of Technology have received planning grants from the Swedish Research Council (VR) to lay the groundwork for future excellence clusters in groundbreaking areas of technology. With a focus on high-quality quantum computers and innovative Terahertz–UV technology, Anton Frisk Kockum and Jan Stake aim to build strong, cross-disciplinary research networks that could pave the way for major scientific and technological breakthroughs.
In September, the Swedish Research Council announced the projects awarded planning grants to develop future excellence clusters in strategically important and emerging fields. Of the 40 projects funded at Swedish universities, five are based at Chalmers University of Technology. Two of them are led by researchers at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience: Anton Frisk Kockum, Associate Professor in Applied Quantum Physics, and Jan Stake, Professor in Terahertz and Millimetre Wave Technology.
Each researcher receives 1.2 million SEK over six months to establish collaborations and prepare joint research strategies that can evolve into full excellence clusters in the coming years.
“We want to drive the development toward the next generation of quantum computers,” says Anton Frisk Kockum, who leads the project “High-Quality Quantum Computers.” “Through an excellence cluster, we can bring together researchers to jointly develop high-performance quantum computers based on several hardware platforms where Sweden already excels. Our main focus is superconducting qubits, where within WACQT we have achieved world-class coherence times and record-low crosstalk in a 25-qubit chip. The next step is to tackle the scaling challenges and reach 100-qubit devices – with improved quality, speed, precision, and connectivity – that can be connected into a larger quantum computer.”
The second Chalmers-led project, “Pioneering THz–UV Technology,” led by Jan Stake, takes an interdisciplinary approach to explore the electromagnetic spectrum from terahertz to ultraviolet light – a range with immense potential for new applications in science and industry.
“We want to develop the smart, integrated systems of the future for sensors and communication by combining photonics and electronics, from terahertz to ultraviolet,” says Jan Stake. “By using new materials and nanotechnology, we can create systems with higher performance and functionality to meet future needs in areas such as space, energy, health, defense, and security. The region between radio waves and ultraviolet light holds enormous potential – from communication and sensors to medicine and climate research. Compact UV lasers could revolutionize industry and healthcare, while new solutions are needed for the data transfer systems of tomorrow.”
Cross-disciplinary collaboration at the core
A key feature of both excellence clusters is their foundation in cross-disciplinary research and collaboration across scientific boundaries. Among the co-applicants in “Pioneering THz–UV Technology” are Associate Professor Helena Rodilla at the Terahertz and Millimetre Wave Technology division at Chalmers, and Åsa Haglund and Victor Torres-Company, Professors at the Photonics division at Chalmers. The team also includes Vanya Darakchieva, Professor in Solid State Physics at Lund University, and Joachim Oberhammer, Professor in Micro- and Nanosystems at KTH.
“The terahertz-to-ultraviolet range is rich in potential applications, but to achieve real breakthroughs we need to work jointly on key research questions that cross disciplinary boundaries,” Jan Stake explains. “This project brings together leading expertise in nanoelectronics, terahertz technology, photonics, microsystems, solid-state physics, and nanotechnology. Together we can explore a wide wavelength range and drive innovation in sensing, communication, and control systems.”
Anton Frisk Kockum’s project "High-Quality Quantum Computers" primarily focuses on superconducting qubits, but it also encompasses three complementary research tracks pursued in parallel. These tracks involve close collaboration with researchers from other universities in Sweden and internationally, significantly broadening the project's scope beyond Chalmers. In addition to quantum researchers Göran Johansson and Giovanna Tancredi, both in leading roles within WACQT at Chalmers, the team includes Markus Hennrich from Stockholm University, who leads the experimental work with trapped ions within WACQT; Stefano Markidis at KTH, an expert in computational methods and quantum algorithms; Kristin Persson from UC Berkeley, a leading materials scientist; and Morten Kjaergaard from the University of Copenhagen, who heads the experimental work on superconducting qubits within the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme.
“Each hardware platform has unique strengths, and our aim is to share best practices between platforms so they all can flourish, providing multiple paths to a larger, more powerful quantum computer,” says Anton Frisk Kockum. “One platform uses trapped ions, where we’ve achieved extremely fast gate operations. Another focuses on photonic quantum computing, enabling the development of integrated systems. A third explores rare-earth ions in solid-state materials, which offer exceptionally long coherence times. By exchanging ideas and expertise across these platforms, we strengthen the entire cluster and move closer to positioning Sweden as a global leader in next-generation quantum technology.”
As part of the planning phase for the excellence cluster “High-Quality Quantum Computers,” a workshop will be held at Chalmers on 4 – 5 December. The deadline for registration is 5 November.
Three other researchers at Chalmers were awarded grants from the Swedish Research Council (VR) to plan future excellence clusters in groundbreaking technology areas:
Jia Wei Chew at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Michaela Wenzel at the Department of Life Sciences and Fredrik Höök at the Department of Physics.