Quantum 100
A global snapshot of careers & community.
Quantum science ignites the imagination and, importantly, continues to underpin numerous critical technologies. Today, a diverse community of people are working to propel the field forward, and use it to improve the lives of people around the world.
In this International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, we are excited to celebrate some of these people with a major global initiative:Â The Quantum 100. Representing people at every stage of their professional journey, the Quantum 100 spans academia, industry, education, art, culture, journalism, and policy, reflecting a breadth of skills and specialization.
The Quantum 100 were selected by members of the IYQ steering committee and global coordination bureau, composed of representatives from each of the IYQ Founding Partners, as well as leaders around the world from universities, research institutions, scientific societies, governments, and industry.
Read more about them and their stories below.
As we celebrate the global quantum community, we also want to honor the legacy and impact of Professor Raymond Laflamme, who sadly passed away earlier this year and was nominated for the Quantum 100.
Professor Raymond Laflamme was a pioneer of quantum information science and a central figure in the development of Canada’s quantum research ecosystem. Equally accomplished as a theorist, experimentalist, and mentor, he played a defining role in shaping both the academic foundations of the field and the institutions that support its growth.Â
Laflamme is best known for his contributions to quantum error correction, including the Knill–Laflamme conditions, which remain fundamental to identifying and correcting errors in quantum systems. He also co-invented the Knill–Laflamme–Milburn protocol, a landmark result demonstrating that scalable quantum computing is possible using only linear optics. At Los Alamos, he led some of the earliest experimental demonstrations of quantum algorithms, including a 12-qubit nuclear magnetic resonance processor — the largest of its kind at the time. His seminal work has helped bridge foundational theory and practical hardware development.
Beyond his scientific achievements, Laflamme has left an enduring impact on the quantum community. As the founding director of the Institute for Quantum Computing and a founding faculty member of Perimeter Institute, he helped establish globally influential centers for research and training. Through national initiatives, advisory roles, and widely used textbooks, he has helped shape generations of researchers and propelled the global quantum ecosystem forward.
Thank you to IYQ’s strategic partner, TFD, for their collaboration and support of the Quantum 100 initiative.
