QUEST (QUantum Enabled Science and Technology) is a T-Division initiative to explore new directions in theoretical aspects of quantum mechanics (information, coherence, communication, control) and applications made possible by recent experimental advances (ultracold atoms and ions, cavity QED, NMR applications, quantum dots, STMs, SQUIDs, nanomechanics).

The central feature of QUEST is a Divisional team concentrating on key focus areas to facilitate high-impact research in the above directions. QUEST is a highly-leveraged, cross-Lab project with aggressive development of experimental collaborations: A major thrust of QUEST is the placement of T-Division staff members as essential and central collaborators with leading efforts at Los Alamos, other academic institutions and, possibly, also with high-tech industry. Recruitment of the best young researchers is a QUEST priority.

QUEST research areas were chosen to satisfy the following criteria: the selected areas are, or soon will be, at the cutting edge of research; good match between the research and present Division expertise; good match between the research and traditional LANL strengths such as supercomputing and cross-discipline collaborations; broad interest across the QUEST team in the chosen areas (no topics of only narrow interest); clear identification of viable long-term external and internal collaborations. Forging collaborations with experimental groups were a top priority of the QUEST start-up phase.

After internal discussions and feedback from researchers outside the Lab, initial QUEST activity was focused in the areas of (1) Quantum Materials and Devices, (2) Quantum State Control and Engineering, and (3) Cold Atom Physics.