SQMS Center

Congratulations to Silvia Zorzetti for being named to the 2026 Scientific Computing World 75!

Silvia’s work connects deep technical leadership with a forward-looking vision for quantum systems, from superconducting technologies to quantum communication and co-design. This recognition is a fitting tribute to her impact across Fermilab, SQMS and the broader scientific computing community.

https://bit.ly/4dJB6j1

Welcome to the SCW75 – class of 2026 | Scientific Computing World It is with enormous pride that we introduce the inaugural cohort of the Scientific Computing World 75 – the exceptional individuals who are redefining what is possible at the intersection of computing and research

What limits a qubit’s performance? Sometimes, the answer starts at the surface.

In a recently published DOE Office of Science highlight, SQMS researchers identified niobium hydrides in superconducting qubits, revealing a previously unaccounted-for source of decoherence. By combining atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and mass spectrometry, researchers observed how these defects form in niobium thin films as devices cool to cryogenic temperatures.

Understanding where this noise comes from is a key step toward improving qubit performance.

Spotting a New Culprit in the Hunt for Quantum Noise Microscopes, x-rays, and spectroscopy tools join forces to identify defects that interfere with delicate superconducting qubit properties.