Penn State’s C-TEQ Initiative to Lead Global Quantum Research
Penn State has developed the Centre for Theory of Emergent Quantum Matter (C-TEQ) to research complex quantum systems. The University's international prestige in quantum science is rising, and this new centre promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerates groundbreaking research.
With financing from the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and the Eberly College of Science, C-TEQ was founded. The launch is intended to coincide with the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science & Technology (IYQ), a global drive to raise awareness of quantum science's impact. Jainendra K. Jain, the center's founding director, says C-TEQ's creation shows the University's commitment to the future of quantum science and honours the field's first 100 years as the International Year of Quantum winds down.
Institutional Strategy and Leadership Jainendra K. Jain, Erwin W. Müller Professor of Physics, Evan Pugh University Professor, and Eberly Chair in Physics, will direct the Centre for Theory of Emergent Quantum Matter. Institute for Computational and Data Sciences strategically manages C-TEQ under the Quantum Hub.
Five research hubs, including the Quantum Hub, were created by ICDS to foster innovation and create a university-wide network for cutting-edge research. According to ICDS director Guido Cervone, C-TEQ strengthens Penn State's quantum research leadership and builds on the Quantum Hub, which integrates quantum simulation, theory, and data departments.
Director Jain says C-TEQ aims to “create a unique collaborative structure that ignites transformative quantum research and attracts significant external funding.” The centre will facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration to accelerate discovery. Jain noted that Penn State already has a strong quantum community, but C-TEQ will bring together researchers from other disciplines to benefit these efforts internally and internationally.
Advancing Quantum Discovery
C-TEQ focusses on quantum mechanics in multi-particle systems. The center's researchers will examine how topology, entanglement, and strong interactions create new condensed matter phenomena.
The new centre will study odd particles, emergent quantum matter, and quantum physics and AI. Emergent events in complex quantum materials are studied to find fundamental principles that could lead to novel materials and quantum technology. Quantum computers could handle complex problems that current machines cannot.
The centre uses Penn State's interdisciplinary network to bring together great people, says Tracy Langkilde, Verne M. Willaman Dean of the Eberly College of Science. Dean Langkilde remarked, “The Eberly College of Science and the highly regarded physics department are the core academic home for many of these exceptional minds, driving fundamental research that builds future innovations.
Andrew Read, Penn State's Senior Vice President for Research, said C-TEQ symbolises the university's commitment to basic research that increases human knowledge and powers new technology.
Working Together and Training
Multidisciplinary collaboration is promoted by combining quantum materials, sensing, communication, computation, and simulation research domains. Physics, materials science and engineering, electrical engineering and computer science, and mathematics faculty are involved in this crucial multidisciplinary approach.
Professor Ribhu Kaul and Marcos Rigol, outstanding Professor of Physics, are among the centre's outstanding faculty. Zhen Bi, an assistant professor of physics; Long-Qing Chen, an associate professor; Thomas Iadecola, an associate professor; Xiantao Li, a mathematics professor; Chaoxing Liu, a physics professor; Vincent Meunier, a professor and department head of engineering science and mechanics; Lukas Muechler, an assistant pro. Many centre associates are theorists and experimentalists.
Creating the future quantum workforce is C-TEQ's goal. The centre is seeking postdoctoral researchers for major quantum projects. Jain said C-TEQ will help Penn State's status as a centre for quantum research by giving undergraduates and postdocs many opportunities to work with leading researchers. Application reviews for postdoctoral research fellows will begin after December 15 and continue until all positions are filled.
To support quantum research, the University has invested heavily in faculty and facilities, including major renovations to Osmond Laboratory, which will house new particle astrophysics and condensed-matter physics labs. C-TEQ encourages academics, students, and postdocs to come up with bold ideas that lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
