Quantum Systems
Mines and Colorado are becoming central to the development of quantum systems – from computing, to sensors, to communications. The Payne Institute works to connect the supply chain, security, investment, policy, and workforce needs of this paradigm-shifting set of technologies.
For media or interview inquiries, or for more information about the Payne Institute for Public Policy, please contact our Deputy Director, Greg Clough, at gclough@mines.edu.
Payne Institute for Public Policy | Annual Report 2025-2026 7/9/2026
Payne Institute for Public Policy – Annual Report 2025-2026
The Payne Institute for Public Policy’s 2025-2026 Annual Report highlights a year of growing impact at the intersection of energy, critical minerals, and global security. July 9, 2026.
Quantum chokepoints: The industrial ceiling of the tech race 5/1/2026
Quantum chokepoints: The industrial ceiling of the tech race
MacDonald Amoah, Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian, and Senior Research Fellow Jahara Matisek write about how in January 2026, IonQ announced a $1.8 billion acquisition of SkyWater Technology, a U.S. semiconductor foundry, to secure domestic fabrication and hardware production capacity. The deal was framed as a step toward building fault-tolerant quantum machines at scale. However, it was a stunning move, because a company built on the mind-bending principles of quantum physics was buying a firm that specializes in the familiar world of silicon chips. May 1, 2026.
Partnering with Elevate Quantum, Mines accelerates the quantum industry’s future 1/14/2026
Partnering with Elevate Quantum, Mines accelerates the quantum industry’s future
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Lincoln Carr contributed to this article about how Mines is closely partnering with Elevate Quantum to advance technology and build a quantum ecosystem where research, education and entrepreneurship intersect to build a robust quantum workforce and position the region to lead the next phase of quantum innovation. January 14, 2026.
Quantum Sensing and the Future of Warfare: Five Essential Reforms to Stay Competitive 10/9/2025
Quantum Sensing and the Future of Warfare: Five Essential Reforms to Stay Competitive
Payne Institute Fellow Jahara Matisek, Katrina Schweiker, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how quantum sensing is primed for a breakout that will radically change both conventional and nuclear warfare, requiring essential reforms for the Department of Defense (recently renamed to the Department of War) to maintain a competitive advantage. October 9, 2025.
The Quantum Imperative 6/2/2025
The Quantum Imperative
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian writes about how quantum is critical to US tech leadership—ignoring it risks economic, scientific, and national security setbacks. The tip of the spear for technological dominance in the battle between the United States and China is not limited to AI, but in the future application of quantum physics to computing, measurement, and communications. June 2, 2025.
Colorado’s quantum hub will revolutionize technology, with Colorado School of Mines helping lead the way 9/16/2024
Colorado’s quantum hub will revolutionize technology, with Colorado School of Mines helping lead the way
Payne Institute Fellow Lincoln Carr contributes to an article about Zhexuan Gong and other Mines researchers on how they turned to a quantum simulator made of a particular experimental device that uses electrodes and lasers to trap charged atoms. By controlling the interactions among the trapped ions, Gong and his collaborators were able to create a brand-new synthetic quantum material—the world’s first 1D magnet, made of just 23 atoms. September 16, 2024.
Elevate Quantum awarded $40.5M to expand quantum ecosystem in Colorado, Mountain West 7/2/2024
Elevate Quantum awarded $40.5M to expand quantum ecosystem in Colorado, Mountain West
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Eliot Kapit is featured in this article about how Mines is part of regional consortium receiving federal funding to support efforts to strengthen the quantum workforce over the next decade. The federal funding, alongside Colorado’s recently passed $74 million Quantum Tax Credit and New Mexico’s substantial quantum investments, will enable Elevate Quantum to deliver on its key objectives, such as launching 50+ quantum startups, upskilling 30,000 workers, and establishing a world-leading quantum lab to provide state-of-the-art hardware and expertise to startups. July 2, 2024.
How Quantum Computing Changed Our Understanding of Science 4/19/2024
How Quantum Computing Changed Our Understanding of Science
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Lincoln Carr is featured on this podcast discussing how while we await practical business advantage with quantum computing, has quantum information science already furthered our understanding of science? What’s the difference between a simulator and an emulator, and how does a physical quantum computer fit in? He explores these topics, along with everything from Tensor Networks, to thermodynamics, to complexity, with an eye to how the hardware timeline will make practical power a reality. April 19, 2024.
Colorado is a regional quantum hub, but what does that mean? 1/31/2024
Colorado is a regional quantum hub, but what does that mean?
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Lincoln Carr interviews with CPR News about how the U.S. government recently designated Colorado a regional tech hub for the quantum industry. That puts the state in line to receive a federal grant as part of the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to boost investment in emerging technologies. January 31, 2024.
Elevate Quantum puts Colorado – and Mines – at forefront of future innovation 12/14/2023
Elevate Quantum puts Colorado – and Mines – at forefront of future innovation
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Lincoln Carr is featured in this article about how the U.S. Department of Commerce designates regional consortium of universities, national laboratories, organizations and companies as a tech hub for quantum information tech including Mines Elevate Quantum. Elevate Quantum Colorado is one of 31 tech hubs around the country and one of only two dedicated to quantum specifically. December 14, 2023.
Applying Post-Quantum Cryptography – Survey and Application of Machine Learning 4/26/23
Applying Post-Quantum Cryptography – Survey and Application of Machine Learning
Payne Institute student researcher Mack Osborne writes about how quantum computing poses a considerable threat in the world of cyber security. Policy makers are largely unprepared for a post-quantum world, significantly due to a lack of understanding and awareness. The goal of this paper is to improve understanding and provide a new and effective way to analyze post-quantum cryptography, for researchers and security engineers alike. April 26, 2023.