Starting in 2011, Kim Ki-hwan, a leading authority in quantum computing who has been conducting research in China, will move his research base to Korea. He is expected to join the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) as early as this October and will serve as the inaugural Director General of the 'Ion Trap-Based Quantum Information Science Research Group (tentative name)' that is planned to be established.
In an interview with ChosunBiz, Kim said, "I would like to build the foundation for realizing quantum computing in Korea as an extension of the research I have conducted so far," adding, "Quantum information science research utilizing ion traps is the area I have focused on the longest, and I want to continue on this path unshaken in the future."
Conventional computers represent the presence or absence of electrons as 0 and 1, or one bit. In contrast, the unit of a quantum computer is a qubit, which is a state where 0 and 1 are superimposed. This is because, in quantum mechanics, which governs the microscopic world, matter can exist in multiple superimposed states rather than as a single state. As a result, computational power increases dramatically.
The ion trap that Kim is researching captures positively charged ions in a vacuum and uses lasers to create a superimposed quantum state. It is considered a promising technology for implementing quantum computers alongside superconductors, neutral atoms, photons, and semiconductor quantum dots.
Regarding his decision to move to Korea, Kim noted, "Recently, as the quantum field has emerged as a strategic technology, I have heard a lot of conversations around me urging me to think about opportunities to contribute to Korea," and added, "I initially thought the Director General position at IBS would focus on administrative work, but I was attracted to the structure that allows for independent research focus instead."
Kim stated that he plans to join IBS this fall and is currently in discussions with Tsinghua University. He said, "IBS has allowed dual positions with other institutions for the first two years, allowing me to complete my current research projects in China without difficulty," adding, "As it will take time to set up equipment in Korea, I plan to continue my research at Tsinghua University during that period to organize things."
Once the arrangements with Tsinghua University are finalized, Kim plans to recruit research personnel and begin forming the research group. He mentioned, "The research group is expected to establish itself at the IBS headquarters in Daejeon, but currently, there is a lack of a structured basis for directly accepting graduate students," and added, "For the time being, I think we should start research centered around senior researchers without students."
He also conveyed that IBS is well aware of this situation and is working to address it. IBS plans to form a quantum information research cluster by incorporating the quantum information science research group led by Kim into existing quantum-related research groups, with the long-term goal of developing it into a specialized quantum research institute. It is expected that a key task will be to reliably secure excellent researchers from both domestic and international sources, and to create a foundation where they can devote themselves to research.
Lee Woo-geun, a scholar in the field of semiconductor integrated circuits at Tsinghua University, is also expected to move to a domestic university in the second half of this year. In 2019, Jeong Hong-sik, a former Samsung Electronics executive, moved from Tsinghua University to the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST).