Quantum devices currently only exist in prototype form in the laboratory, but they are already demonstrating enormous potential: storing, processing and transmitting information with efficiencies going way beyond classical physics; exploiting phenomena that are unique to the quantum domain such as coherence, superposition states and entanglement etc, and it is the possibility of exploiting these strange (from a classical point of view) phenomena that gives quantum technology its edge, and potentially allows quantum devices to perform tasks that no classical device could perform.
A QTG Workshop on Quantum Technologies, sponsored by the Cambridge-MIT Institute
Industry in The Quantum Age
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Quantum theory is little understood outside the scientific community, but it offers huge potential for industry and society. In future, quantum devices such as computers, clocks and communications systems could all be more powerful - by an order of magnitude - than today’s conventional systems. Quantum devices currently only exist in prototype form in the laboratory, but they are already demonstrating enormous potential: storing, processing and transmitting information with efficiencies going way beyond classical physics; exploiting phenomena that are unique to the quantum domain such as coherence, superposition states and entanglement etc, and it is the possibility of exploiting these strange (from a classical point of view) phenomena that gives quantum technology its edge, and potentially allows quantum devices to perform tasks that no classical device could perform. However, despite recent advances in nanoscale engineering, developing quantum devices robust enough to be mass-produced outside the lab remains a scientific and technological challenge.
Realising the commercial opportunities of quantum will require a high degree of interdisciplinary collaboration, and a greater public understanding of Quantum Physics. In this spirit of inter-disciplinary collaboration and outreach, the workshop on Quantum Technologies will be of interest both to scientific researchers and students, and a wider audience of science teachers, communicators, the business community, entrepreneurs, and the general public.
This workshop, which is free to attend, will profile state of the art quantum technologies, addressing both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The format of the workshop is designed to be interactive, with presentations from quantum pioneers in academia and industry, a demonstration session featuring new quantum devices and plenty of opportunities for Q&A. The workshop is divided into three sessions, each consisting of four 20 minute presentations.
The morning session - Quantum: Opening up a world of possibilities - will provide a general overview of the field, including how to choreograph the behaviour of quantum systems (quantum control), the latest developments in quantum measurement technology (quantum metrology), and the basic principles of quantum information processing. The second session - Quantum: Beyond computing - will give an overview of the latest in quantum computing architecture, examine the possibility of exploiting quantum effects in the 'conventional' semiconductor devices which form the basis of all electronic devices currently in existence, and profile novel technologies based on ion-traps and atom chips. The third session – Cracking Quantum: Next-Generation Communication – will focus on the most commercially advanced quantum technology to date: secure communication systems. Starting with a demonstration of currently commercially available quantum cryptographic systems, the session will move on to a discussion of the next generation of secure communication systems, and finish by looking forward to the development of commercial quantum technologies.
The Panel will then discuss the prospects for commercial quantum technologies and assess the potential impact on society:
- What are the potential applications of quantum technology?
- How might these applications benefit society?
- What adverse effects might there be?
- What are the main challenges we face in making the Quantum Age a reality?
Presentations
Morning session – Quantum: opening up a world of possibilities (Chair: Michael Thompson)
Afternoon Session 1 – Quantum: Beyond computing (Chair: Richard Dearlove)
Afternoon Session 2 – Cracking Quantum: Next-Generation Communication (Chair: Ray Browne)
For further information on the Quantum Technologies Group (QTG), please contact the QTG manager, Sonia Schirmer.
For media and press enquiries, please contact Tamara Roukaerts.
For all other enquiries, Tel: +44 (0) 1223 448765
