Layering Quantum Innovation: From van der Waals Materials to Quantum Technology
Abstract: Over the past two decades, superconducting quantum technology has seen remarkable progress—from a six-order-of-magnitude enhancement in qubit coherence times to cQED-based multi-qubit architectures and the first demonstrations of quantum supremacy. These advances, along with emerging applications in the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era, highlight the rapid evolution of the field.
Achieving scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing demands an even deeper synergy between material science, device fabrication, electrical engineering, and fundamental physics. In this context, van der Waals (vdW) materials—spanning semimetals, insulators, semiconductors, ferromagnets, superconductors, and topological insulators—offer a compelling platform for next-generation quantum devices. The ability to assemble vdW heterostructures with atomic precision opens new opportunities for integrating these materials into superconducting circuits, enhancing qubit control, reducing device footprints, and suppressing unwanted couplings. Conversely, superconducting quantum circuits and cQED techniques provide a powerful toolset for probing the exotic physics of quantum materials, complementing traditional transport measurements.
In this talk, I will discuss the integration of vdW materials into superconducting quantum circuits and their transformative potential for quantum technologies. I will highlight our recent studies on the kinetic inductance of 2D superconductors, including magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene (MATBG) and NbSe₂. Leveraging cQED techniques, we have uncovered key insights into pairing symmetry and the role of quantum geometry in flat-band superconductors. We have also demonstrated vdW superconductors in the clean limit with record-high sheet kinetic inductance, positioning them as promising candidates for high-coherence, compact quantum circuits.
Finally, I will explore future research directions and the development of wafer-scale vdW quantum circuits. These advancements pave the way for extensible quantum architectures and new frontiers in quantum science.
Bio: Dr. Joel I-Jan Wang is a research scientist in the Engineering Quantum Systems (EQuS) group at MIT’s Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE). Trained as an experimental condensed matter physicist, his expertise spans mesoscopic physics, nanofabrication, 2D materials, hybrid superconducting circuits, and engineered quantum systems.
Dr. Wang's research focuses on bridging superconducting quantum technology and 2D quantum materials to enable scalable quantum systems and explore novel physics. His work encompasses:
- Advancing Superconducting Quantum Technologies: Developing compact, high-coherence qubits and scalable architectures integrating 2D materials.
- Exploring Novel Quantum Materials: Investigating unconventional superconductivity and correlated electron states in 2D materials using circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) platforms.
To watch online go to the IQUIST youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzAySwQXF8J4kRolUzg2ww