Quantum dilution fridge

Quantum Technologies

Pioneering breakthroughs, unlocking transformative applications, and pushing boundaries in theoretical and experimental quantum science

APL has been at the forefront of quantum science and engineering for decades.

In the late 1980s, we began investigating quantum entanglement, a topic at the heart of the disparity between classical and quantum physics. APL researchers conducted some of the initial demonstrations of quantum key distribution in the mid-1990s and, in 1996, established a fully operational system for quantum cryptography based on the transmission of single photons in free space under daylight conditions.

Today, we lead innovative theoretical and experimental efforts in quantum computing, sensing, and materials, tackling challenges like noise suppression, exploring new quantum devices, validating quantum computing concepts, and advancing the understanding of quantum phenomena. The potential application space for quantum computing is expanding: we are developing novel quantum algorithms for applications ranging from signal detection to semantic analysis to calculating radar cross sections. Our multidisciplinary teams also study quantum phenomena within biological systems—research that could unlock insights into human health, neurological function, and the effects of space environments on the body.

Enabling the Future of Quantum Technologies

Illustration of a software stack

Featured Work

SMART Stack: Enabling Error-Resilient Quantum Computing

Understanding and mitigating quantum noise and errors across the full stack of hardware and software

About SMART Stack
Quantum computer (Credit: Johns Hopkins APL)

Featured Program

Alternative Computing Paradigms

Innovating and securing computing solutions to previously intractable and unimaginable computational problems

About ACP
Low Temperature Quantum Device Laboratory

Featured Facility

Low Temperature Quantum Device Laboratory

The Low Temperature Quantum Device Laboratory’s capabilities are used to control and characterize novel quantum protocols and devices. The protocol and device development efforts are critical to the realization of quantum sensing and computing technologies that will forever change how we collect and process information.

More APL Labs and Facilities

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Quantum Computing at APL

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Quantum computing is a growing field of research, and APL is on the cutting edge of that research. Quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, which can not only take values of zero or one but can also take superpositions between these two values, and that gives a lot of power to the types of computations one can do. However, coming up with methods to deal with noise in the quantum setting can be very challenging. APL is focusing on tackling the problems associated with that noise, or molecular fluctuation in the quantum realm.

Related News

Illustration of a quantum algorithm (Credit: Johns Hopkins APL/Zac Swanson)
News

Aug 7, 2025

Johns Hopkins APL Takes a Quantum Approach to Tracking Online Trends

APL researchers have demonstrated that a quantum algorithm can be used to speed up an information analysis task that classical computers struggle to perform.
Learn more about Johns Hopkins APL Takes a Quantum Approach to Tracking Online Trends
Representation of quantum computing
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May 27, 2025

Engineering Tomorrow’s Quantum Computers

Researchers have touted the revolutionary potential of quantum computers to take on otherwise intractable challenges, like modeling complex molecular behavior for drug discovery or factoring enormous numbers in use for cryptography schemes. But how such a computer would be created remains unclear. With help from Johns Hopkins APL, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is attempting to define, in practical terms, what a useful quantum computer looks like and how it must be built.
Learn more about Engineering Tomorrow’s Quantum Computers
Linear Accelerator Facility at APL (Credit: Johns Hopkins APL/Craig Weiman)
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Apr 24, 2025

Accelerating Qubit Testing With Cosmic Rays on Demand

Scientists at Johns Hopkins APL have demonstrated a working capability that can radically accelerate the testing of critical quantum computing components, accomplishing in a matter of minutes what has previously taken days or even weeks.
Learn more about Accelerating Qubit Testing With Cosmic Rays on Demand
Joan Hoffmann
Press Release

Jan 28, 2025

Johns Hopkins APL Names Hoffmann as Research and Exploratory Development Mission Area Executive

As APL’s new mission area executive for Research and Exploratory Development, Joan Hoffmann aims to advance the Laboratory’s mission to explore novel ideas, develop transformative technologies and deliver impactful solutions to sponsors and partners.
Learn more about Johns Hopkins APL Names Hoffmann as Research and Exploratory Development Mission Area Executive
Gregory Quiroz
Press Release

Oct 7, 2024

Johns Hopkins APL Earns Federal Quantum Computing Award to Propel Science Discoveries

A research team led by APL quantum information scientist Gregory Quiroz and partners at five institutions has earned a competitive quantum computing award from the Department of Energy to engineer potentially game-changing open-source software systems to propel scientific discoveries. The award builds on the team’s previous success designing software that combats errors hampering the performance of today’s quantum computers.
Learn more about Johns Hopkins APL Earns Federal Quantum Computing Award to Propel Science Discoveries

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