Quantum technologies are poised to transform computing, communications, and sensing by enabling capabilities that are beyond the reach of conventional systems. Researchers at the Institute for Energy Efficiency are advancing the foundational technologies needed to realize scalable, energy-efficient quantum systems, with strengths spanning quantum photonics, networking, sensing, materials, and device integration.
This initiative focuses on the development of quantum materials, nanophotonic devices, superconducting circuits, and integrated quantum systems that enable the generation, manipulation, transmission, and measurement of quantum information. Faculty researchers are pioneering semiconductor quantum dots, two-dimensional materials, hybrid quantum platforms, and photonic integrated circuits that support applications in quantum computing, secure communications, and advanced sensing. A major emphasis of the initiative is the development of scalable quantum networking technologies. Researchers are creating integrated photonic platforms that generate and distribute entangled photons, a foundational capability for future quantum internet architectures. These efforts include some of the world's brightest integrated entanglement sources, advanced quantum photonic chips, and technologies supporting teleportation-based quantum networking through collaborations with industry partners.
The initiative also advances the hardware infrastructure required for practical quantum systems. Researchers are developing chip-scale laser systems, integrated optical clocks, superconducting circuits, and broadband photonic technologies that reduce the size, weight, power consumption, and complexity of quantum platforms. Because lasers, electronics, and cryogenic systems often dominate the energy requirements of quantum technologies, improving the efficiency and integration of these components is critical to enabling large-scale deployment. Beyond computing and communications, faculty are developing next-generation quantum sensing technologies, including optical atomic clocks, quantum magnetometers, atomic sensors, and biomolecular sensing platforms. These systems leverage quantum phenomena to achieve unprecedented precision in measurement, navigation, environmental monitoring, and scientific discovery. Together, these efforts position UCSB as a leader in the development of scalable quantum technologies, accelerating breakthroughs in quantum computing, networking, and sensing while addressing the energy-efficiency challenges associated with deploying quantum systems at scale.
Lead Faculty
Richard Mirin: Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mirin's research interests include superconducting single-photon detectors, III-V semiconductor devices including semiconductor lasers, chip-scale nonlinear optics, and quantum dots, and molecular beam epitaxy. Mirin returned to UCSB in 2025 after nearly thirty years working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where he most recently served as the quantum nanophotonics group leader in the Applied Physics Division.
Galan Moody: Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Moody's research focuses on fabricating and characterizing nanophotonic devices and quantum materials relevant for quantum communications and computing, including 2D materials, semiconductor quantum dots, and hybrid quantum systems.