The United Nations has chosen 2025 to be the International Year of Quantum Science. To mark the event, the New Journal of Physics (NJP) has curated a collection of ten outstanding quantum articles published in the journal since its inception, including two significant contributions from ICFO.

A team led by Prof. Guo Guangcan from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has demonstrated the ability to electrically manipulate the spin filling sequence in a bilayer graphene (BLG) quantum dot (QD). This achievement, published in Physical Review Letters, showcases the potential to control the spin degree of freedom in BLG, a material with promising applications in quantum computing and advanced electronics.

QphoX B.V., a Dutch quantum technology startup that is developing leading frequency conversion systems for quantum applications, Rigetti Computing, Inc., a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, and Qblox, a leading innovator in quantum control stack development, today announced that their joint research demonstrating the ability to readout superconducting qubits with an optical transducer was published in Nature Physics.

Q-CTRL, the global leader in quantum control infrastructure software, today announced the opening of its newest office in San Francisco, further strengthening its U.S. presence and reinforcing its position as a dominant player in the global quantum industry.

IQMQuantum Computers, Riverlane, and Zurich Instruments have announced the launchof the SurgeonQ project, a strategic collaboration to create the first quantumcomputing platform capable of running multiple real-time quantum errorcorrection operations. The project represents progress towards commerciallyviable quantum computing systems.

The University of Strathclyde has partnered with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Quantum Motion to develop new ways to overcome the challenges of running quantum control electronics in extremely cold conditions.

MicroCloud Hologram Inc., (the "Company"), based on their in-depth research and continuous innovation in quantum technology, they have pioneered an advanced technological solution: using a fast adiabatic driving protocol to achieve coherent control of two heavy hole spin qubits in a double quantum dot (QD) system. In traditional quantum experimental protocols, conventional methods such as linear ramps, π-pulses, or Landau-Zener channels have contributed to the incremental development of quantum control techniques. However, due to their inherent physical limitations, these methods struggle to meet the current stringent demands for high fidelity in quantum information processing. In contrast, the fast adiabatic driving protocol developed by HOLO demonstrates significant technological advantages.

Quantum Machines, the leading provider of processor-based quantum controllers and Rigetti Computing, a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, today announced the successful application of AI to automate the calibration of a quantum computer. The work was completed as part of the “AI for Quantum Calibration Challenge” (the “Challenge") that was jointly issued by Rigetti and Quantum Machines and hosted at the Israeli Quantum Computing Center (IQCC).

Scientists hope to harness the powers of quantum computers to solve unprecedented problems. Central to this goal is the ability to communicate between the quantum and classical computing worlds. To do so, they must manipulate the signals that travel both worlds to optimize their ability to read the information stored within the quantum bits inside a quantum computer. To help meet these needs, engineers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory created the Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit in 2022. QICK is a combination of a radio frequency circuit board, control and readout hardware and open-source software to control it. Today, with more than 350 registered users worldwide, the engineers created a new companion product called “QICK box,” which they are now ready to bring to market.

Quantum computer manufacturing specialist SDT, announced that it has successfully raised KRW 20 billion (USD 14 million) in a pre-IPO funding round. This achievement marks a significant milestone as the company accelerates its plans to become Korea’s first publicly listed quantum technology firm by the second half of 2025.