Quantum technologies are poised to transform the world with unprecedented computing power, precise sensors, and enhanced communications. The UK is at the forefront of this quantum revolution, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that holds the promise of transformative advancements for the economy and society. In this article, we will explore the key players, breakthroughs, and potential impact of the UK’s quantum technology ecosystem.

The National Quantum Technologies Programme

The UK’s quantum technology ecosystem is supported by the National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), a £1 billion dynamic collaboration between industry, academia, and government. The NQTP was launched in 2014 to turn cutting-edge quantum science into commercial products and services. The NQTP has four main objectives:

• Stimulating domestic market growth in quantum technologies
• Growing the UK’s excellence in quantum research and technology development
• Building a robust network of national quantum assets and mutually beneficial international relationships
• Developing and attracting world-leading quantum talent

The NQTP has invested in various initiatives to achieve these objectives, such as the Quantum Technology Hubs, the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, the National Quantum Computing Centre, the Quantum Technology for Fundamental Physics projects, and the Quantum Technologies Strategic Advisory Board.

The Quantum Technology Hubs

The Quantum Technology Hubs are a network of research centers that bring together experts from different disciplines and sectors to develop quantum technologies in specific domains¹. There are four Quantum Technology Hubs in the UK, each focusing on a different area of application:

• Quantum Communications Hub: This hub aims to develop secure and reliable quantum communication networks and devices, such as quantum key distribution, quantum random number generation, and quantum repeaters.
• Quantum Computing and Simulation Hub: This hub aims to develop scalable and programmable quantum computing and simulation platforms and algorithms, as well as applications in areas such as materials science, chemistry, and artificial intelligence.
• Quantum Enhanced Imaging Hub: This hub aims to develop novel quantum imaging technologies and techniques, such as quantum sensors, quantum cameras, and quantum illumination, for applications in fields such as healthcare, security, and astronomy.
• Quantum Sensing and Timing Hub: This hub aims to develop quantum-enhanced sensors and clocks, such as quantum gravimeters, quantum magnetometers, and quantum atomic clocks, for applications in sectors such as navigation, geophysics, and metrology.

The Quantum Technology Hubs have generated significant impact and innovation, such as creating over 120 industrial partnerships, supporting over 470 PhD candidates, and producing over 49 spin-out companies.

The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund

The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund is a government initiative that supports collaborative research and development projects that address the challenges and opportunities of the UK’s industrial strategy. The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund has allocated £147 million to the Quantum Technologies Challenge, which aims to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technologies in the UK. The Quantum Technologies Challenge has three main components:

• Quantum Networks: This component supports the development and demonstration of quantum network technologies and services, such as quantum metrology, quantum internet, and quantum cloud computing.
• Quantum Sensors and Metrology: This component supports the development and deployment of quantum sensor and metrology technologies and products, such as quantum gravity sensors, quantum navigation systems, and quantum clocks.
• Quantum Computing and Simulation: This component supports the development and integration of quantum computing and simulation technologies and solutions, such as quantum hardware, quantum software, and quantum algorithms.

The Quantum Technologies Challenge has funded several projects and programs, such as the Quantum Technology Innovation Center, the Quantum Computing and Simulation Hub Industry Network, and the Quantum Technologies Pioneer Fund.

The National Quantum Computing Centre

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is a new facility that aims to develop and operate large-scale quantum computers and provide access to quantum computing services for academia, industry, and government. The NQCC was established in 2019 with an investment of £93 million from the UK government. The NQCC has three main goals:

• To build and operate quantum computers with more than 100 qubits, the basic units of quantum information
• To develop and implement quantum software and algorithms for quantum computers
• To create and support a quantum computing community and ecosystem in the UK

The NQCC is currently under construction at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire and is expected to be operational by 2023. The NQCC will collaborate with various partners, such as the Quantum Computing and Simulation Hub, the UK Quantum Technology Innovation Network, and the UK Quantum Metrology Institute.

The Quantum Technology for Fundamental Physics

The Quantum Technology for Fundamental Physics program is a joint initiative between the NQTP and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) that aims to use quantum technologies to explore fundamental questions in physics, such as the nature of dark matter, the origin of the universe, and the structure of matter. The program has funded 10 projects, with a total of £40 million, that involve collaborations between quantum technology researchers and particle physics, nuclear physics, and astronomy researchers. Some of the projects are:

• Quantum Sensors for the Hidden Sector (QSHS): This project aims to develop quantum sensors, such as quantum magnetometers and quantum interferometers, to detect and measure hidden sector particles, such as axions and dark photons, that could explain the mystery of dark matter.
• Quantum-enhanced interferometry for new physics (QI4NP): This project aims to develop quantum-enhanced interferometry techniques, such as squeezed light and entangled photons, to improve the sensitivity and precision of gravitational wave detectors, such as LIGO and LISA, and test the predictions of general relativity.
• Quantum Simulations of Strongly Correlated Systems (QUSCO): This project aims to develop quantum simulation platforms, such as ultracold atoms and trapped ions, to model and study strongly correlated systems, such as quark-gluon plasma and high-temperature superconductors, that are relevant for nuclear physics and condensed matter physics.

The potential impact of quantum technologies

Quantum technologies have the potential to create significant impact and value for the UK’s economy and society, as well as address some of the global challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. According to a recent report by the UK Quantum Technologies Strategic Advisory Board, the UK’s quantum technology industry could generate over £4 billion in annual revenues and over 20,000 jobs by 2024, and over £40 billion in annual revenues and over 200,000 jobs by 2030. Some of the sectors and domains that could benefit from quantum technologies are:

• Healthcare: Quantum technologies could enable new ways of diagnosing and treating diseases, such as quantum imaging, quantum sensing, and quantum computing for drug discovery, personalized medicine, and biotechnology.
• Security: Quantum technologies could enhance the security and resilience of critical infrastructure, such as quantum cryptography, quantum random number generation, and quantum secure communication for banking, defense, and government.
• Environment: Quantum technologies could help monitor and mitigate the effects of climate change, such as quantum sensors, quantum metrology, and quantum computing for environmental sensing, geospatial mapping, and carbon capture.
• Transport: Quantum technologies could improve the efficiency and safety of transport systems, such as quantum navigation, quantum timing, and quantum computing for autonomous vehicles, aviation, and space exploration.
• Manufacturing: Quantum technologies could boost the productivity and quality of manufacturing processes, such as quantum metrology, quantum simulation, and quantum computing for precision engineering, materials design, and optimization.

The UK is well-positioned to lead the quantum revolution and reap the benefits of quantum technologies, thanks to its strong foundation of capability, its vibrant ecosystem of innovation, and its strategic vision and investment. The UK’s quantum technology ecosystem is a shining example of how science, industry, and government can work together to create a quantum-enabled economy and society.