Notice2021-17520
Request for Information: Access to Quantum Systems
Primary source
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Published
August 16, 2021
Issuing agencies
Energy Department
Abstract
Congress has requested DOE to develop a roadmap to provide researchers access to quantum systems so as to enhance the U.S. quantum research enterprise, stimulate the fledgling U.S. quantum computing industry, educate the future quantum computing workforce, and accelerate advancement of quantum computer capabilities. In collaboration with private sector stakeholders, the research facility user community, and interagency partners, the Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Science, intends to develop such a roadmap. DOE invites interested parties to provide input on the quantum systems that DOE should include in the roadmap; how the current access models can meet the needs of quantum researchers; and the appropriate timeline and sequencing for components of the roadmap.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 155 (Monday, August 16, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 155 (Monday, August 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45715-45717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17520]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Request for Information: Access to Quantum Systems
AGENCY: Office of Science, Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Request for information (RFI).
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SUMMARY: Congress has requested DOE to develop a roadmap to provide
researchers access to quantum systems so as to enhance the U.S. quantum
research enterprise, stimulate the fledgling U.S. quantum computing
industry, educate the future quantum computing workforce, and
accelerate advancement of quantum computer capabilities. In
collaboration with private sector stakeholders, the research facility
user community, and interagency partners, the Department of Energy
(DOE), through the Office of Science, intends to develop such a
roadmap. DOE invites interested parties to provide input on the quantum
systems that DOE should include in the roadmap; how the current access
models can meet the needs of quantum researchers; and the appropriate
timeline and sequencing for components of the roadmap.
DATES: Written comments and information are requested on or before
September 30, 2021.
ADDRESSES: DOE is using the <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> system for the
submission and posting of public comments in this proceeding. All
comments in response to this RFI are therefore to be submitted
electronically through <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, via the web form
accessed by following the ``Submit a Formal Comment'' link near the top
right of the Federal Register web page for this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
may be submitted to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c6d495d52484951116f454f4859514f117d5f5f594f4f116e7a757c4f5f5559525f5912585359125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c293b7a3acb6b7afef91bbb1b6a7afb1ef83a1a1a7b1b1ef90848b82b1a1aba7aca1a7eca6ada7eca5adb4">[email protected]</span></a> or Dr.
Ceren Susut, (301) 903-0366.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Quantum information science (QIS) is a potentially transformative
emerging field, with resulting quantum technologies having significant
implications for scientific discovery as well as for our Nation's
economic prosperity and security.\1\ Widespread access to a variety of
quantum systems for research, development, testing, and evaluation is
critical to continued rapid progress and competitiveness in this field
and to accelerate QIS research and development. Congress, in the Joint
Explanatory Statement accompanying the Energy and Water Development and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2021, requested DOE to ``develop
a roadmap to provide researchers access to quantum systems so as to
enhance the U.S. quantum research enterprise, stimulate the fledgling
U.S. quantum computing industry, educate the future quantum computing
workforce, and accelerate advancement of quantum computer
capabilities.'' \2\
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\1\ See <a href="https://www.quantum.gov/">https://www.quantum.gov/</a>.
\2\ <a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20201221/BILLS-116RCP68-JES-DIVISION-D.pdf">https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20201221/BILLS-116RCP68-JES-DIVISION-D.pdf</a>.
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Types of quantum systems under consideration: DOE may consider
access models for research and development
[[Page 45716]]
(R&D) on a wide range of quantum systems. For simplicity, these systems
are broadly categorized here, but many real facilities or capabilities
will bridge across these flexible groups. The scope of quantum systems
to be addressed in response to this RFI includes, but is not limited
to:
(1) Systems for synthesis, characterization, and fabrication--
including foundries and testbeds.
(2) Sensors and measurement systems--including light-matter
sensors, atomic sensors, magnetometers, clocks, detectors, and imaging
systems.
(3) Networking and communication systems--including interconnects,
transducers, repeaters, switches, routers, entangled nodes, encrypted
systems, and network testbeds.
(4) Computers, processors, annealers, and analog simulators--
including noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) and beyond-NISQ
computers, emulators, conventional computing systems, hybrid systems,
and computing testbeds.
Existing access models and approaches, and DOE resources and
programs that support R&D activities on quantum systems: DOE utilizes a
range of approaches for access to R&D systems and facilities that it
supports, depending on the nature of the capability, the scope of the
desired interaction, the extent and composition of the community that
is interested in access, and other factors.\3\ (Other federal agencies
may employ similar and/or additional models.) Direct collaboration with
DOE-supported researchers (including but not exclusively at DOE
National Laboratories), which may involve indirect or direct usage of
their systems and instruments, is one frequent method, and may not
require specific agreements or obligations other than those applying
generally to laboratory requirements. For instance, the Microsystems
Engineering, Science, and Applications (MESA) facility \4\ at Sandia
National Laboratories offers advanced fabrication capabilities relevant
to QIS, and Los Alamos National Laboratory provides a variety of
quantum computing technologies to scientists and engineers.\5\
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\3\ <a href="https://www.labpartnering.org/partnering">https://www.labpartnering.org/partnering</a>.
\4\ <a href="https://www.sandia.gov/mesa/">https://www.sandia.gov/mesa/</a>.
\5\ <a href="https://www.lanl.gov">https://www.lanl.gov</a>.
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Technology transfer and collaboration mechanisms include
Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) that formalize
joint R&D efforts between federal laboratories and external-to-
government partners; Strategic Partnership Projects (SPPs), in which
work is done for businesses and other non-federal entities using
specialized or unique facilities and/or expertise; as well as
Agreements for Commercializing Technology (ACTs) and Technology
Licensing Agreements, among others. Another approach used primarily for
major facilities that host substantial numbers of external researchers
is the user facility model, in which access is typically provided
competitively via merit- and feasibility-based review.\6\ Current and
next-generation systems at DOE user facilities that enable breakthrough
scientific discoveries in QIS include but are not limited to Nanoscale
Science Research Centers,\7\ High-Performance Computing and Networking
Facilities,\8\ X-Ray Light Sources,\9\ and Neutron Scattering
Facilities.\10\ Other programs, such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory's
Quantum Computing User Program,\11\ facilitate access to commercial
quantum computing resources via merit-based review and user agreements.
Additionally, DOE supports the development of quantum computing and
quantum network testbeds for science. For instance, DOE quantum
computing testbeds provide the research community with fully
transparent access to novel quantum computing hardware.\12\
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\6\ <a href="https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities">https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities</a>.
\7\ <a href="https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance/BES/Nanoscale-Science-Research-Centers">https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance/BES/Nanoscale-Science-Research-Centers</a>.
\8\ <a href="https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance/ASCR">https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance/ASCR</a>.
\9\ <a href="https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance/BES/X-Ray-Light-Sources">https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance/BES/X-Ray-Light-Sources</a>.
\10\ <a href="https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance/BES/Neutron-Scattering-Facilities">https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance/BES/Neutron-Scattering-Facilities</a>.
\11\ <a href="https://www.olcf.ornl.gov/olcf-resources/compute-systems/quantum-computing-user-program/">https://www.olcf.ornl.gov/olcf-resources/compute-systems/quantum-computing-user-program/</a>.
\12\ <a href="https://qscout.sandia.gov">https://qscout.sandia.gov</a> and <a href="https://aqt.lbl.gov">https://aqt.lbl.gov</a>.
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II. Questions
Input is requested on information the Department should consider as
it develops a roadmap to provide researchers access to quantum systems
to enhance the U.S. quantum research enterprise, stimulate the
fledgling U.S. quantum computing industry, educate the future quantum
computing workforce, and accelerate advancement of quantum computer
capabilities. Any information that may be business proprietary and
exempt by law from public disclosure should be submitted as described
in Section III. Please provide data, analysis, and/or other
justification for all responses to this RFI, where applicable. DOE is
interested in receiving input on the following questions:
(i) What role, if any, should Federal agencies play in mediating,
facilitating, or coordinating access to non-Federal quantum systems?
(ii) What special considerations, if any, should be taken into
account in accommodating the scientific communities served by these
quantum systems?
(iii) What quantum systems should be included in this roadmap?
(iv) What mechanisms should be considered to assure access to
quantum systems to the broadest possible user base including under-
represented institutions and populations?
(v) What are the needs for user support to make effective use of
access to quantum systems?
(vi) What should be the metrics for success in an access model?
(vii) How should software access be provided in conjunction with
hardware access?
(viii) For competitive proposals requesting access to quantum
systems, what should be the criteria in the merit review process?
(ix) What factors should be considered in adding, expanding, or
reducing access to specific quantum systems as the field evolves or
matures?
(x) With respect to access to various types of quantum systems, how
do near-term and longer-term priorities differ?
(xi) What standard intellectual property (IP) provisions are needed
to facilitate broad access to quantum systems for the public benefit?
(xii) Are there other factors, issues, or opportunities, not
addressed by the questions above, which should be considered in the
development of such a roadmap?
Comments containing references, studies, research, and other
empirical data that are not widely published should include copies of
the referenced materials. Note that comments will be made publicly
available as submitted. Any information that may be confidential and
exempt by law from public disclosure should be submitted as described
below.
III. Request for Information
The Department seeks input from stakeholders to assist DOE in
developing a roadmap for access to quantum systems, including the
nature of quantum systems that should be considered; how the current
access models can meet the needs of quantum researchers; and the
appropriate timeline and sequencing for components of this roadmap. The
input received will be considered by DOE in its development of the
roadmap and for QIS program planning and
[[Page 45717]]
development. Please be aware that this RFI is not a Funding Opportunity
Announcement, a Request for Proposal, or other form of solicitation, or
bid for DOE to fund potential research, development, planning, centers,
or other activity.
Confidential Business Information: Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any
person submitting information he or she believes to be confidential and
exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via email: One copy
of the document marked ``confidential'' including all the information
believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document marked ``non-
confidential'' with the information believed to be confidential
deleted. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential
status of the information and treat it according to its determination.
Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat submitted
information as confidential include: (1) A description of the items,
(2) whether and why such items are customarily treated as confidential
within the industry, (3) whether the information is generally known by
or available from other sources, (4) whether the information has
previously been made available to others without obligation concerning
confidentiality, (5) an explanation of the competitive injury to the
submitting person which would result from public disclosure, (6) when
such information might lose its confidential character due to the
passage of time, and (7) why disclosure of the information would be
contrary to the public interest.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 11,
2021, by Harriet Kung, Deputy Director for Science Programs, Office of
Science, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy.
That document with the original signature and date is maintained by
DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with
requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE
Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit
the document in electronic format for publication, as an official
document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no
way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the
Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on August 11, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021-17520 Filed 8-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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