Abstract:

A large-scale quantum computer could change the world – performing certain calculations in minutes that would take the largest supercomputer millions of years.   Recent headlines¹ report that useful quantum computers could be realized in the next decade.  In the race to deliver a commercially relevant system, Intel leverages their most advanced process technology (18A).  This seminar will provide an overview of quantum computing, including challenges in chemical processes needed to create functional and robust devices, and describe how Intel is accelerating the development of scalable quantum hardware.  

¹ Nature, 650, 24-26 (2026)

Biography:

Sarah Atanasov received her B.S in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University in 2010 and Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2015, after which she joined Components Research (since renamed Technology Research), a division of Intel Corporation in Hillsboro, OR.  At Intel, Sarah’s research has revolved around implementing novel processes and materials for technologies like resistive and magnetic memory, ferroelectric memory, and advanced transistor and interconnect architectures.  In 2024 Sarah joined the Quantum Hardware division at Intel to drive material and process innovation in this exciting and rapidly progressing field.  Sarah has served the larger community as an AVS Thin Film Committee Member and Industry Liaison for numerous SRC projects, receiving the Mahoob Khan Outstanding Liaison Award in 2021.  When not in the fab, Sarah enjoys spending time exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband and 4 children.