Quantum technologies
We are currently in the midst of a second quantum revolution, according to Jonathan P. Dowling and Gerard J. Milburn in Quantum Technology: The Second Quantum Revolution. The first quantum revolution gave us new rules that govern physical reality. The second will take these rules and use them to develop new technologies. What’s at stake and what is the European Commission’s strategy?
A NEW REVOLUTION IS COMING
We are now actively employing quantum mechanics to alter the quantum face of our physical world, according to Jonathan P. Dowling and Gerard J. Milburn in Quantum Technology: The Second Quantum Revolution. Specifically, they note: “We are transforming it into highly unnatural quantum states of our own design, for our own purpose. For example, in addition to explaining the periodic table, we can make new artificial atoms – quantum dots and excitons – which we can engineer to have electronic and optical properties of our own choosing. We can create states of quantum coherent or entangled matter and energy that likely existed nowhere else in the Universe.”
EUROPEAN QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES FLAGSHIP
CONTEXT
Since 1998, the European Commission’s Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) programme has provided around EUR 550 million of funding for quantum research in Europe. In 2018, the Commission launched officially the first Quantum Technologies Flagship Coordination and Support Action.
The flagship is a research initiative that brings together research institutions, industry and public funders. It aims to foster the development of a competitive quantum industry in Europe, making the results of quantum research available as commercial applications and disruptive technologies.
BUDGET AND DURATION
The Flagship will run for 10 years, with an expected budget of EUR 1 billion.
IMPACTED AREAS
From October 2018-September 2021, it will provide EUR 132 million of funding for 20 projects in:
- Quantum communication;
- Quantum simulation;
- Quantum computing;
- Quantum metrology and sensing.
LONG-TERM VISION
The Flagship aims to develop in Europe a ‘quantum web’, where quantum computers, simulators and sensors are interconnected via quantum communication networks.