Kevin D. Osborn

Kevin D. Osborn is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Maryland's Laboratory for Physical Sciences. His research focuses on superconducting circuits, quantum information science, and reversible computing. He leads the KDO Research Group, which explores quantum defects in superconducting qubits and topological fluxon-based logic gates for energy-efficient computing. His work includes developing novel quantum systems, such as defect lasers and fluxon logic, to address challenges in quantum coherence and computational efficiency.

Osborn has mentored graduate students like Chih-Chiao Hung and Tim Kohler, and has collaborated on projects funded by the Simons Foundation. His teaching includes a course on superconducting devices and circuits, covering topics like Josephson junctions, quantum algorithms, and superconducting material properties. Key research areas include cavity quantum electrodynamics (C-QED), two-level system (TLS) spectroscopy, and the application of topological particles in reversible computing.

Recent advancements include demonstrating a random-defect laser using TLSs and proposing energy-efficient CNOT gates using fluxons. His group also studies material interfaces and surface engineering to improve superconducting resonator performance. Osborn's contributions span experimental and theoretical work, with publications in Physical Review Letters, Applied Physics Letters, and others.