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QubitWire

2026 SELECTION

QubitWire 100

100 people recognized for contributions to quantum computing. Unranked and alphabetical by surname.

About the selection

An unranked collection. Browse by surname or start with an idea.

Browse by topic
Filter this list by topicError correctionNeutral atomsQuantum networksAlgorithmsFoundations
Explain these topics
Error correction
Methods that protect encoded quantum information by detecting and correcting certain errors.
Neutral atoms
A hardware approach that stores quantum information in electrically neutral atoms.
Quantum networks
Links that distribute quantum information or entanglement between locations.
Algorithms & complexity
How quantum calculations work and what resources they require.
Foundations
The concepts and physical principles that quantum information builds on.

The 2026 selection2 of 100 people

About quantum networks
Quantum networks
Links that distribute quantum information or entanglement between locations.

Jump to surname

B

1 person

Gilles Brassard

Brassard co-developed quantum key distribution and helped generalize quantum search into amplitude amplification and estimation, linking quantum information’s foundations to reusable algorithmic tools.

Université de Montréal

Professor of Computer Science

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Why included? 3 sources

Brassard’s contributions span how quantum information is protected and how it is processed. The BB84 protocol with Charles Bennett established a quantum approach to distributing secret keys. His work with Peter Høyer, Michele Mosca and Alain Tapp generalized the ideas behind quantum search into amplitude amplification and amplitude estimation. That combination makes him relevant to both the foundations and the algorithmic toolkit of quantum computing. The profile identifies the coauthored procedures and their resource advantages without assuming that a protocol automatically guarantees the security or performance of a particular implementation.

Algorithms & complexityQuantum networks
3 linked sources · 1 research source

Documented work base: Canada

Identification checked Explore the contributions and sources

S

1 person

Stephanie Simmons

Develops silicon spin–photon technology and helped found Photonic, bringing quantum information stored in silicon together with optical links for distributed quantum computing.

Photonic

Co-Founder and Chief Quantum Officer

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Why included? 2 sources

Simmons works at the interface between storing quantum information and transmitting it. Her research on silicon spin–photon systems underpins Photonic’s approach to connecting qubits optically, and she leads the company’s technical vision as Chief Quantum Officer. That combination of local quantum memory and remote connection is central to a distributed architecture. Her profile therefore focuses on the physical interface and the organization she helped create, without treating prospective scale or fault tolerance as demonstrated achievements.

Quantum hardwareQuantum networks
2 linked sources

Documented work base: Canada

Identification checked Explore the contributions and sources
About these checks

Linked sources support selected statements in each profile. Research sources include papers and preprints. A source count is not a ranking or a quality score.

The identification check date relates to the recorded professional description. Individual sources have their own check dates. The fixed 2026 selection stays separate from later profile corrections.

THE EDITORIAL VIEW

Why these people.
Why this field.

Quantum computing is shaped by more than headline breakthroughs. Progress also depends on the people who establish its limits, make its systems more reliable and turn difficult ideas into tools others can use.

The QubitWire 100 recognizes contributions across that work. Each profile explains what is being recognized and connects the account to its supporting evidence.

View the permanent 2026 record