The possibilities of quantum technologies are becoming more of a hot topic within the state of Colorado, as leaders from the University of Colorado Boulder's CUbit Quantum Initiative visited the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs to discuss quantum technology on January 26, 2022.

The group from CUbit included Philip Makotyn, executive director of CUbit, and Joshua Combes, associate professor of photonics and quantum engineering at CU Boulder. The visit symbolized an important step in beginning discussions between the Air Force Academy and the Colorado quantum ecosystem.

Combes was asked to deliver two lectures at the Academy: one to the physics department on quantum technologies and the other to the computer science department about quantum information systems. "It was wonderful to see students at the Air Force Academy interested in these new technologies," Combes said.

"The Air Force Academy Department of Physics and Meteorology is grateful for Dr. Josh Combes' presentation this semester in our Physics 495 Introduction to Quantum Computing course," said Professor & Head, Department of Physics & Meteorology, Col. Rex R. Kiziah, PhD. "Students and faculty across five academic departments learned fascinating details about state-of-the-art quantum computing hardware, and the presentation was a perfect complement to the primarily theoretical nature of the course."

The Academy, founded in 1954, has been a leader in academic opportunities, specifically through teaching about the technology of tomorrow and training the best and brightest cadets in the country. "The existence of usable quantum computers, algorithms, and insights have become more prevalent in the last few years," said Lt. Col. David Merritt, PhD, Head of the Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences at the Air Force Academy. "Because it’s a relatively new field in computing, we don’t yet have faculty experienced in quantum computing or its applications to internet security, machine learning or other general problems in technology. Having an entity like CUbit, and a highly qualified person like Josh, willing to educate Air Force Academy cadets on the importance of quantum computing and its implications on our way of life, is tremendously valuable to the minds of our future leaders in the high-tech warfighting domains."

The CUbit Quantum Initiative, for its part, is also invested in the future of quantum technology. "Visiting the Air Force Academy was an exciting opportunity to further connect interested parties into this quantum ecosystem," Makotyn said. “CUbit has established a network partnering CU Boulder with the Colorado quantum ecosystem’s key players, such as TOPTICA Photonics, Vescent, ColdQuanta, SPIE, Meadowlark Optics and Atom Computing. This network reflects the broader quantum ecosystem spanning Colorado—which has the highest density of quantum companies in the U.S.—and allows for more discussion about quantum technologies. This visit with the Air Force Academy will deepen existing connections between CU Boulder and the Academy, leading to further possibilities of learning and collaboration.”