Stony Brook University
7:30 pm
Earth and Space Sciences Building, ESS 001
Friday, April 10, 2026
The Diamond Age of Quantum Computing
Professor Cyrus Dreyer
Quantum computing is an exciting new field that uses the unusual rules of quantum mechanics to solve problems that are far beyond the reach of today’s computers. Unlike classical computers, which process information in simple bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, that can exist in multiple states at once. One of the biggest challenges in building quantum computers is finding systems that can reliably store and control these fragile quantum states. Surprisingly, one promising solution comes from an everyday material: diamond. While diamonds are well known for their beauty and hardness, they can also contain tiny imperfections called nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers. These defects can trap and manipulate quantum information, making them excellent candidates for qubits. In this talk, I will introduce the basic ideas behind quantum computing and explain how these microscopic flaws in diamond could play a key role in building the powerful computers of the future.
Professor Cyrus Dreyer earned a B.S. in Engineering Science and Physics, and a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Virginia. He earned a Ph.D. in Materials from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and then was a postdoctoral associate at Rutgers University. He is now an associate professor at Stony Brook University in the department of Physics and Astronomy, and a visiting scholar at the Flatiron Institute Center for Computational Quantum Physics. His research interests involve developing and implementing computational techniques based on density functional theory to explore the properties of electronic materials.
