APL Physicist Appointed to Defense Science Board Quantum Technologies Task Force

Joan Hoffmann, a physicist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, has been appointed to the Defense Science Board Task Force on Applications of Quantum Technologies.

The DSB is a committee of civilian experts who advise the U.S. Department of Defense on scientific and technical matters. The Task Force on Applications of Quantum Technologies explores the potential application of quantum technologies in land, sea and subsurface challenges. For each of these missions or capability areas, the group poses questions such as:

• What is the level of technology readiness?
• What is the level of research and development in universities, government laboratories and industries, both domestically and in other countries?
• Which technologies will be developed for commercial applications? Which areas will be applicable to primarily unique DoD applications?
• What ancillary technologies are required for implementation of these technologies?

“Quantum computation and simulation have made significant progress in recent years,” noted Michael Griffin, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in a memorandum describing the Task Force. “Understanding the state-of-the-art and the likely trajectory of these technologies will allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to strategically incorporate these technologies into its systems.”

Hoffmann is the program manager for Alternative Computing Paradigms in APL’s Research and Exploratory Development (RED) Mission Area, responsible for strategic direction and execution of a diverse portfolio encompassing quantum computing, trustworthy computing, computational neuroscience and computational physics. Over the last five years, she has worked with an exceptional group of investigators to build APL’s core Quantum Information Science team, now comprising nearly 20 scientists engaged in theoretical, experimental and operational efforts.

“We congratulate Joan on this prestigious appointment,” said Andrew Merkle, RED mission area executive. “Her broad background in experimental physics, with an emphasis on nanoscale and device physics, has generated a long track record of successful technical leadership of strong, cross-disciplinary teams addressing critical problems.”