The DeMarco Group at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign uses atoms, molecules, and light to advance the frontier of quantum information science and engineering. We work on fundamental physics and applied science, including many-particle quantum mechanics, quantum computing, and quantum networking. Our experiments include bosonic and fermionic ultracold quantum lattice gases, ultracold molecules, and trapped ions.

To learn more about our research, explore our web site and check out a 2008 story with video about our research on the NSF Discoveries site. You can also read Physics Today article from 2011 about our research here. And, check out Chad Orzel’s highlight from 2016 of our research on Forbes. Learn more about the IQUIST quantum testbed, where we are building a trapped ion quantum processor.

About the PI

Brian DeMarco has worked on experiments with ultracold atom gases for almost 30  years. Brian completed his undergraduate degree in Physics at SUNY Geneseo, where he worked on low-energy fusion experiments. That first taste of research was enough to ignite his interest in experimental physics for life, and in 1996 Brian left NY for Boulder, Colorado to pursue a PhD in physics.  For his PhD research, Brian worked with Debbie Jin to produce the first Fermi gas of atoms. Brian defended his dissertation in 2001, and went down the road to NIST in Boulder to work with David Wineland on trapped ion quantum computing experiments. In August 2003, Brian left mountainous Boulder, Colorado to join the faculty of the Physics department at the University of Illinois. Brian has served on a number of national committees, including the APS Panel On Public Affairs, and he was a member of the 2016-2018 Defense Sciences Study Group class.  He is currently Chair of the NASA Fundamental Science Standing Review Board and Director of the $25M NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (QLCI-HQAN).

You can go back in time and listen to Brian talk about quantum computing on Car Talk in 2002 here. Hear Brian’s thoughts about quantum science, engineering, and workforce development in the New York Times and the Washington Post. The DeMarco Group helped to found and regularly attends the Midwestern Cold Atom Workshop. A copy of Brian’s CV with full listing of publications and awards can be found here.