of quantum technology
Special Feature : Quantum Technology
The commercialisation
Dr Rhys Lewis
DIRECTOR , QUANTUM METROLOGY INSTITUTE , NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY
of quantum technology
Quantum technologies may sound like new developments , but we have actually been benefitting from them for decades . Discoveries about the way light and matter behave at a fundamental level have led to some of the most significant breakthroughs of the last century and helped to develop some of today ’ s most widely-used and lucrative technologies from the flash memories , mobile phones and computers to the superconductors in our MRI machines
The worldwide semiconductor industry alone , which wouldn ’ t exist without quantum science , is today estimated to be worth almost £ 200 billion . But these applications barely scratch the surface of what might one day be achieved . We are now entering a new age of quantum technologies that rely on the intrinsic and often bizarre nature of quantum interactions between atoms and photons . As our technical ability to control these quantum properties increases , so too does our ability to apply this knowledge into completely new practical applications , never before possible .
Quantum technologies undoubtedly offer remarkable new opportunities . In order to ensure that the UK becomes a world leader in commercialising quantum technologies , and is able to benefit from these opportunities , the Government invested £ 270 million in the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme . The programme , funded principally through The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council ( EPSRC ), Innovate UK and Defence Science and Technology ( dstl ), has set up dedicated hubs at universities around the country to bring together academic and industry partners to develop and commercialise technologies in four key areas : quantum sensors , quantum imaging , quantum communications and quantum computing . Dstl have funded additional development work at universities and at the National Physical Laboratory ( NPL ).
Because quantum technologies are based on very advanced and extraordinary physics , one key barrier to their commercialisation is securing the confidence of investors , industry and customers . In such a new field of development , that is not widely understood , new developments can be seen as a risky investment . Third-party validation is crucial to improving understanding and securing the investment and market demand needed .
To support this need , the National Physical Laboratory has established a Quantum Metrology Institute ( QMI ) to provide this validation in support of the National Quantum Technologies programme . As the UK ’ s home of measurement , with over one hundred years ’ experience in helping new
Microfabricated grating chips for atomic quantum technologies : a binary structure etched into a semiconductor wafer transforms an incident laser beam to create a light field for trapping and cooling an ensemble of atoms
technologies make the jump from lab to market , NPL is the best place for this testing and validation to be conducted . The NPL QMI undertakes research in quantum technologies , alongside developing new measurement techniques and fundamental standards . It provides the national capability for the testing and validation of these technologies to secure the confidence and investment necessary to commercialise new QT products and helps to ensure that the UK can start benefitting from these amazing new technologies as soon as possible .
40 SUMMER 2016