Northwestern researchers release major new Python library
The open-source scQubits library will advance work in quantum computing around the globe
By Teresa Truong '23
Northwestern’s Koch Research Group, led by Associate Professor Jens Koch, has made a major contribution to quantum computing with the release of a new open-source library of code for the programming language Python.
The library — dubbed “scQubits” — will support theoretical research in quantum computing and the simulation of superconducting qubits — the basic building blocks for processing quantum information.
The new offering has been enthusiastically embraced by the global scientific research community. Just one month after its release, the number of downloads exceeds 2,400.
With the introduction of scQubits, the College’s Department of Physics and Astronomy will help to advance research in quantum science around the world.
Promoting scientific research
“Increasingly, theoretical work and advanced data analysis rely on public computer codes and packages,” said Professor Michael Schmitt, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “Solid contributions to open access software are important, even vital, for scientific progress. A release of computer code like scQubits can have a major impact in promoting scientific research across the world.”
The release also promises to raise Northwestern’s profile in the international scientific community.
“Physics and astronomy faculty at Northwestern are playing leading roles in quantum science,” Schmitt said. “This code release by Jens Koch and his talented group is an indication of what is coming.”
Koch's group is actively working on future extensions to scQubits. Undergraduates with a strength in Python coding and interest in contributing to the library are encouraged to contact the Koch research group at jens-koch@northwestern.edu.
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