The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) has appointed Professor KIM Kihwan , a world-leading scholar in quantum information science and a professor in the Department of Physics at Tsinghua University, as Director of the Center for Trapped Ion Quantum Science. The center, located at the IBS headquarters in Daejeon, officially launched on December 29 and has begun research activities. Professor Kim resigned from his tenured position at Tsinghua University to devote himself fully to his role at IBS, while continuing research collaboration as a visiting professor at Tsinghua.

Professor Kim is an internationally recognized leader in ion-trap quantum systems, which use the internal energy states of trapped ions as qubits and employ lasers to control and measure these states. His work has significantly advanced understanding of the fundamental limits of quantum systems and driven the development of key quantum platforms, including quantum computers, quantum simulators, and quantum metrology. After earning his PhD in Physics from Seoul National University, Professor Kim conducted postdoctoral research at Seoul National University, the University of Innsbruck (Austria), and the University of Maryland (USA). Since 2011, he has served as a professor at Tsinghua University, where he has led an active and highly influential research program.

Quantum information science exploits uniquely quantum-mechanical properties such as superposition and entanglement to store, process, and transmit information. Among the various platforms for realizing quantum information science, trapped-ion systems, Professor Kim’s area of expertise, are regarded as one of the most powerful technologies due to their exceptionally long qubit coherence times and their ability to perform highly precise and accurate quantum operations. In this field, Professor Kim has led the international research community by pioneering core technologies that enable long-lived and highly accurate manipulation of quantum information using ions.

His landmark achievements include extending the coherence time of single-ion qubits to a world-leading level (Nature Communications, 2021); realizing all-to-all entangling gates that allow multiple qubits to be entangled and operated on simultaneously (Nature, 2019); developing phonon networks that use ion vibrations as information-transfer channels, demonstrating scalability toward large-scale systems (Nature Physics, 2023); and implementing quantum simulations in two-dimensional lattice structures, enabling experimental reproduction of complex quantum phenomena (Nature Physics, 2024). He has also proposed advanced quantum measurement techniques using mixed ion species (Nature Communications, 2024), firmly establishing himself as a leading figure in the field.

Building on trapped-ion technology, the new research center aims to construct large-scale quantum systems that can be precisely initialized, manipulated, and measured “on demand.” Starting from small quantum devices with ultra-precise control over individual ions, the center will gradually scale up system size to address fundamental questions about how far the size and computational power of quantum systems can be extended.

To achieve this, the center plans to develop and advance stable, state-of-the-art trapped-ion platforms, while further strengthening quantum computing and quantum simulation technologies. Ultimately, the goal is to translate the potential of quantum information science into real-world technologies and tangible outcomes that surpass the limits of classical computing and open new pathways for research and innovation.

Alongside the launch of this center, IBS plans to establish a Quantum Information Science Institute at its headquarters by expanding and adding related research centers. The Center for Trapped Ion Quantum Science will set the direction for this cluster and serve as a central hub for future collaboration among IBS research centers.

Professor Kim stated, “I believe IBS provides an environment where researchers can focus on fundamental questions from a long-term perspective. I hope to deepen our understanding of the foundations of quantum information science while creating a platform that allows young researchers to grow and thrive on the international stage.”

Acting President KIM Yeongduk added, “Professor Kim’s return to the domestic research community is particularly meaningful in that it helps strengthen the foundation for nurturing the next generation of researchers.”