Quantum technology capital: UK Superconducting Quantum Technologies

Superconducting Quantum Technology (SuQT) is regarded across the world as one of the key technologies for the possible construction of a quantum computer. Based on fabrication techniques used in semi-conductor processing, the creation of electrical circuits that operate according to the laws of quantum physics is astonishing in that the devices are the first man made objects (as opposed to natural entities such as atoms, electrons and photons) to display quantum effects. They are all the more fantastic because of their ability to be modified by design or construction in ways that naturally quantum objects cannot. As quantum electrical (qubit) circuits, they hold the potential to solve all of the problems of addressability, controllability, controlled qubit coupling and readout that many other architectures based on natural quantum objects find difficult. This is the reason that major corporations such as Google, IBM and Raytheon are now beginning to provide market pull in providing funds to progress this field. Superconducting quantum devices pave the way not only for the development of quantum computing and fast algorithms for searching, information security and quantum simulation, but also open the door to a huge array of possible new sensing elements including those based on artificial atoms and quantum optics, but with microwaves, where the multi billion dollar communication industry operates. In order to enable the study and development of this new field we request funds for a state-of-the-art electron beam lithography (EBL) system that will enable the exploration and exploitation of a new generation of SuQT including quantum meta-materials, coherent quantum phase slip (with consequent potential for a redefinition of the unit of electrical current, the Ampere), microwave quantum optics and quantum limited amplification as well as further development of multi-qubit devices. As world leaders in the field we will build on our strong collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory and initiate a further collaboration with JEOL, the world-market leaders in EBL systems to form a consortium that can offer SuQT nanofabrication facilities to UK academia free of access charges for at least five years. We will collaborate strongly with another world leader in SuQT, Prof Yuri Pashkin (Lancaster University). We were the first group in the UK to successfully establish a superconducting qubit foundry, we will build on our state-of-the-art capability, supported by an approximately £20M investment by Royal Holloway in a new Department of Electronic Engineering, for which the EBL will underpin future research and providing a streamlined route from science to technology. Our aim is to establish the UK as a world leader in superconducting quantum technology.