FST JOURNAL

Many demonstrations of Quantum Technologies have been no more than a ‘heroic one-off or a heroic few-offs’. Until now, many Quantum Tech demos have been about whether or not the technology works. However, over the next few years, efforts must be made to scale up the manufacture of some of these technologies.

One major challenge is a common line of thinking that we have foundries among some compound semiconductors. What we really need to think about is the requirements for quantum, where these align with the capabilities, and how to explore the divergence.

Several factors need to be considered when thinking about investments, such as a UK ‘make vs buy’ type investment in Quantum Technologies. To what extent do we think we are good at it? Also the strategic positions- is this something that we need to have control over for defence and security purposes? The UK needs to focus on one or two offerings. This is important for international collaboration. We need to have something on the table if we want to have access to other people’s technologies.

There are Quantum products on the market but there is still a lot in the pipeline, so until we can bottom out what everyone needs and figure out where those components and materials come from, there is still a lot to work out.

An audience member asked about timing. She noted the many commonalities between Quantum Infrastructure and Semiconductor reviews, saying that as a country we should take notice of these. With other countries marching ahead with investments in their Quantum technologies, what did panellists think were the timescales for the UK? One answer to this was that we should be looking at wins of value to different sectors now, and exploring those for the Spending Review. Otherwise, it was a work in progress.

The next step is surely recommendations and policies for Quantum Technologies. In the meantime, the Government Office for Science is looking at rolling out strategies that explore challenges at a granular level. For example, looking across quantum sensing and the cross-cutting technologies and capabilities.

What is the focus for the ‘national content’ coming out of the UK as we build new devices and systems? Panellists responded with some examples and projects of tech developed and built in the UK, including some of the technology currently being deployed to monitor volcanic activity (which is supported by UKRI). The audience was assured that the ‘supply chain’ for these technologies is very much a hot topic.