Making quantum leaps in learning with Onrí Jay Benally
Onrí Jay Benally is a doctoral student and NSF Graduate Research Fellow exploring quantum science and engineering, making strides in both cryogenic research and quantum hardware education in the Navajo language.
Research at the University of Minnesota
Over the past year, Benally has been collaborating with Professor Jian-Ping Wang and his team to develop nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions that can be controlled using low voltages at low temperatures (Wang is a Distinguished McKnight University Chair and Robert F. Hartmann Chair in ECE and Benally’s advisor). This is a major stride towards the creation of a cryogenic MRAM platform that can be used in quantum error correction and qubit control cryoelectronics. Using available candidate materials, Benally also leads a sub-group specifically focused on developing quantum hardware and quantum-adjacent hardware within Wang’s lab, particularly working on cryogenic magnetic quantum devices to be tested in collaboration with National Labs (MIT Lincoln Lab, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Argonne National Lab, and Idaho National Lab).
Collaboration with Arizona State University
This past summer, Benally received funding from the Arizona State University Quantum Collaborative to develop quantum hardware education in the Navajo language. Serving as the principal investigator, Benally worked on creating 3D graphics and micrographs of quantum devices and cryogenic equipment, and translating the process in Navajo.
Reflecting on the convergences between the Navaho language and quantum science terminology, Benally says: "Navaho relies heavily on adjectives, geometry, and action-based terminology to describe everyday objects and events. As a result, it makes the formation of translated etymology easier."
Similar projects for nuclear radiation terminology and medical imaging equipment have occurred in the past, making Benally’s work a strong addition to the well of resources for Navajo people to better understand quantum computing and quantum metrology. Benally’s hope is to extend this framework to other Indigenous American languages in North America in the future for quantum.
Internship at Watson
Outside of academic research, Benally interned as a Quantum Hardware Engineer at IBM TJ Watson Research Center in New York in the summer of 2024, where he documented, automated, and configured large frame Bluefors XLDsl dilution fridges (rated for 10 millikelvin) to measure dozens of superconducting quantum chiplets simultaneously. This helps speed up the adoption and integration of optimized materials for quantum-centric supercomputing (QCSC) systems. Benally was able to share his work on quantum technologies in the Navajo language on IBM’s Instagram stories, and had the unique opportunity as a quantum hardware engineer intern to directly work hands-on with cryogenic equipment, packaging, and the physical IBM servers.
Q3 Initiative
In September, Benally also spoke at Q3, a joint quantum initiative between the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Southern California. This program aims to unite quantum science with diverse fields such as art, policy, and economics to create more quantum-related educational tools, provide learning and networking opportunities, and equip engineers with more information on the economics and policy of emerging quantum technologies. As an invited keynote speaker, Benally delivered a talk on how to utilize Blender open source creative software for the ray tracing 3D illustrations of experimental quantum chips and related hardware. He also covered rendering examples, suggested parameters, and critical Blender tools in the workshop, all of which is applicable to both technical publications and public outreach. This included an open source high-resolution chip illustration through Wikimedia Commons. In fact, the Advanced Materials journal (volume 37, issue 32) featured his graphical artwork on its cover. Benally also showcased some of his recent open access Navaho/ Navajo (Diné Bizaad) translation work on cryogenic equipment for quantum technologies.
Benally feels grateful for the opportunities he has had to utilize open source tools and story sharing platforms both within and outside of Minnesota while pursuing his PhD, and is currently working on qubit design experiments to be published within the next year.