
Quantum Optimization
Applying quantum algorithms to various optimization problems

Quantum Transduction
Connecting quantum systems across long distances

Exploratory Photonics
Exploring novel photonic computing approaches by harnessing quantum-optical effects

Atom and Molecule Manipulation
Low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy

Cryogenic Electronics
Developing electronic nanoscale devices that leverage cryogenic environments

Neuromorphic Devices & Systems
Developing technologies for computing tomorrow’s AI

Oscillating Neural Networks
Performing pattern recognition and solving complex optimization problems with coupled oscillator networks

Chemical Computing
Developing solutions to execute computing tasks in complex chemical systems used as information-processing units

Flow-chemistry Reactors for Catalysis
Silicon microfluidics for combinatorial screening of catalytic reaction pathways for accelerated material discovery and chemical conversion

III–V Material Integration on Silicon
Investigating the semiconductor of choice for the electronics industry

Scanning Single Electron Transistor
Batch producible scanning SET sensors with superior resolution and bandwidth for ultra-sensitive electric field imaging
Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Center
State-of-the-art research facility
Join our team
We are currently looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic software engineers and researchers.
Contact

Heike Riel
Department Head, IBM Fellow
Meet our researchers
3 Questions for Daniel Egger
How did you end up in your current position?
After graduating from a PhD in quantum control theory for superconducting qubits I left academia to work as a financial risk manager at an asset management firm. After 1.5 years in this role, I learnt that IBM Research in Zurich had an open post-doc position in quantum control for superconducting hardware and thus joined the team. By leveraging my knowledge of finance, I then transitioned to applications of quantum computing research, publishing first how quantum computing may impact finance. From there on, I organically grew into my current role where I work on diverse topics such as error mitigation, quantum software, and applications of QC such as combinatorial optimization and natural systems.
Are there any exciting recent findings from your work?
On November 20th, 2024, we published a paper in Nature on combining quantum processors with real-time classical communication. The work was a close collaboration between IBM Research in Zurich and Yorktown. This project demonstrates a complex quantum workload run across two classically connected quantum processors with 127 qubits each. This is an important step that demonstrates how classical and quantum resources can be leveraged in quantum information processing. It increases the computational power available and expands the range of possibilities for developing complex algorithms.
When you come here in the morning, what are you looking forward to the most?
Interacting with my colleagues. We have a lot of brilliant people at IBM Research. Interacting with them is a highlight of working here. Brainstorming with outstanding people helps solve problems and develop new solutions. Personally, it also helps me grow and learn. Many good ideas are often first conceived over a coffee or lunch.
3 Questions for Sofieke ten Kate
How did you end up at IBM Research?
I did an internship at IBM Research working on neuromorphic devices as part of my master’s degree at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. Then I wanted to do a master’s thesis here on a more fundamental physics topic and joined Fabrizio Nichele’s team. We were working on Andreev bound states, I really liked what we were doing, and we had some cool results; so I stayed for a PhD.
What are you most excited about in your work at the moment?
We just published a paper about Andreev bound states in planar Germanium, which was really cool. We induced superconductivity and could for the first time see the energies of these sub-gap states. We recently upgraded the measurement setup and now the plots are really beautiful, we can now really “see” how these states in Germanium evolve as we tune the device parameters. Now the big question is “what we are seeing”. Is it this phenomenon or that one? This is really cool.
Why did you decide to stay at IBM Research in Zurich?
Why I really wanted to stay at this lab is that I felt like that there was so much happening and it’s very vibrant. You can really get involved in multiple projects, talk to different people when you get stuck somewhere and you really make progress. You can really be part of many things if you want. My internship was only six months, but I learned so much and made huge progress that it inspired me to continue working here.