Martinis develops superconducting quantum hardware, contributing to surface-code architecture and the Sycamore random-circuit experiment, and now works on scalable processor engineering as Qolab’s CTO.
QolabarXiv / Physical Review ANatureMartinis connects superconducting device engineering with the demands of quantum computation. His collaborative surface-code paper makes protection requirements concrete through logical operations and resource estimates. The Sycamore experiment later tested programmable superconducting hardware on a specific sampling benchmark. Its historical performance comparison should be read in that setting, rather than as a claim of advantage for all useful applications. His current Qolab role continues the engineering focus on building and scaling quantum processors.
QolabarXiv / Physical Review ANatureDefining contributions
Work, in context- 2012
Making surface-code computation concrete
With Austin Fowler, Matteo Mariantoni and Andrew Cleland, Martinis described how surface-code logical qubits and universal operations can be constructed, estimating fault-tolerance requirements and the resources needed for a large quantum computer.
Coauthor with Austin Fowler, Matteo Mariantoni and Andrew Cleland of the surface-code architecture paper.
Source-supported recordarXiv / Physical Review A - 2019
The Sycamore random-circuit experiment
Martinis coauthored the experiment using 53 programmable superconducting qubits to sample quantum-circuit outputs. The team compared that specific task with classical simulations; the paper’s historical benchmark does not establish universal practical advantage.
Coauthor of the Sycamore experiment; the benchmark and its interpretation concern the full team’s specific sampling task.
Source-supported recordNature
Keep in perspective
Historical Sycamore comparison is qualified; no present-day speedup factor or broad practical advantage is asserted.
Work-base country is omitted rather than inferred from company office locations.
Follow the evidence
3 sourcesPrimary papers, institutional records and attributed announcements. Each source supports the claims linked above.
- Qolabinstitutional profile
Qolab team
Current CTO and cofounder identification.
Checked 2026-09-19 - arXiv / Physical Review Aresearch paper
Surface codes: Towards practical large-scale quantum computation
Authorship, logical operations, fault-tolerance and resource treatment.
Published 2012-08-04 · Checked 2026-09-19 - Natureresearch paper
Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor
Authorship, 53-qubit sampling task, experimental comparison and scope.
Published 2019-10-23 · Checked 2026-09-19