Quantum Technologies
The impact of quantum technology will be profound and far-reaching: secure communication networks for consumers, corporations and government; precision sensors for biomedical technology and environmental monitoring; quantum simulators for the design of new materials, pharmaceuticals and clean energy devices; and ultra-powerful quantum computers for addressing otherwise impossibly large datasets for machine learning-artificial intelligence applications.
However, engineering quantum systems and controlling them is an immense technological challenge: they are inherently fragile; and information extracted from a quantum system necessarily disturbs the system itself. Despite these challenges a small number of quantum technologies are now commercially available. Delivering the full promise of these technologies will require a concerted quantum engineering effort jointly between academia and industry.
We will describe our progress in the Centre for Quantum Photonics to delivering this promise using an integrated quantum photonics platform - generating, manipulating and interacting single particles of light (photons) in waveguide circuits on silicon chips.
Jeremy O'Brien is professor of physics and electrical engineering and director of the Centre for Quantum Photonics (CQP) at the University of Bristol.
| Quantum Technologies |
| Related Links |
| Quantum Technologies by David Reilly We can create incredibly finely-tuned quantum machines that can directly test out the ideas of quantum mechanics. Not just test them - use them, for novel processes and technologies we are only just beginning to understand. |
| Visions of the Future This is a documentary series presented by a theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, exploring cutting edge technologies related to computer science, biology and quantum theory. |
| Quantum Lightswitch: A New Direction in Ultrafast Electronics While today's computer hard drives rely on tiny magnets, which are a result of the direction in which electrons spin, Dr. Joshua Turner explained the novel concept of "orbital electronics," and how it could speed up data storage and retrieval thousands of times by controlling how electrons orbit the atomic nucleus. |