The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) announced on the 29th that they have appointed Kim Ki-hwan, a renowned scholar in the field of quantum information science and a professor at Tsinghua University’s Department of Physics, as the head of the newly established IBS Center for Trapped Ion Quantum Science. This new research center, located at the IBS headquarters in Daejeon, was officially launched on December 29th and has begun its research activities. Professor Kim, who will be leading the center, has resigned from his tenured position at Tsinghua University to fully dedicate himself to this role, while continuing to collaborate with the university as a visiting professor.
Professor Kim is a world-leading researcher whose work has expanded the understanding of the limits of quantum systems through ion trap methods, using the internal energy states of trapped ions as ‘qubits’ and performing state control and measurements with lasers. He has been a pioneer in the development of various quantum platforms, including quantum computers, quantum simulators, and quantum metrology. After earning his Ph.D. in physics from Seoul National University, Kim conducted postdoctoral research at Seoul National University, the University of Innsbruck in Austria, and the University of Maryland in the United States. Since 2011, he has been an active professor of physics at Tsinghua University.
Quantum information science is a field that applies quantum mechanical properties, such as superposition and entanglement, to information storage, processing, and transmission. Among various platforms that can implement quantum information science, the ion trap system, which is Professor Kim’s area of expertise, is known for maintaining the longest qubit coherence time and providing highly precise and accurate quantum operations. In this field, Professor Kim has introduced key technologies for handling quantum information with ions for extended periods and with high accuracy, leading the international academic community.
The research group aims to build large-scale quantum systems capable of precise initialization, manipulation, and measurement within the quantum realm. Their goal is to establish and enhance a stable and sophisticated state-of-the-art trapped ion platform, advancing both quantum computer and quantum simulator technologies. Along with the establishment of this new research group, the IBS plans to build a ‘Quantum Information Science Cluster’ at its main campus to expand related research efforts.
Professor Kim stated, “I believe IBS is an institution that provides a research environment where fundamental questions can be focused on from a long-term perspective. In addition to delving deeper into the fundamentals of quantum information science, I aim to establish a foundation for young researchers to grow on the international stage.”