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Find out about the recent work of our quantum experts.

2024 achievements

• Following Google's unveiling of it's Willow chip, explained to the the implications it has to our progress towards creating quantum computers, with real world applications.
• In November,  discussed how quantum physics can power practical computers to tackle industry challenges which will revolutionize our work and lives. The talk was part of the programme of events, examining the weird and wonderful world of quantum mechanics.

• The inaugural took place on СÀ¶ÊÓƵ campus on 6 September, uniting researchers from the fields of mathematics, physics, informatics and engineering. It was great to see collaboration and networking across the disciplines, encompassing the themes of Data science, Computing approaches, Materials, and Modelling life.

• Leading researchers from around the world came to Brighton in July for the ICAP 28 Satellite workshop on trapped ion quantum computing, quantum error correction and applications, discussing how to build and program practical quantum computers. 

• Quantum Systems and Devices group is working with to develop a proof-of-concept QCDA (Quantum Current Density Analyser) system, that could potentially be used for real-time non-invasive monitoring of cell ageing processes during manufacture, resolving features and defects to improve yield and speed.

• Our Centre Director discusses quantum computers on the . He explains why they are described as 'the holy grail' of science, and how the Ion Quantum Technology group are at the forefront of developing a quantum computer.

• The Universities of СÀ¶ÊÓƵ and Bristol have  to develop future leaders in quantum tech. The centre will be delivered by a leading team of academics from both universities, along with industrial partners and will provide an innovative four-year, fully-funded programme of training and research in quantum technologies for postgraduate students from September 2024.  

• Our Quantum Systems and Devices group is leading pioneering experiments on the London Underground. The group, led by , is conducting trials of quantum inertial navigation systems to accurately determine train position, see article .

2023 at a glance

• and the Quantum Systems and Devices group hosted the INSTA QT annual international workshop on 12 December, on the theme 'Battery monitoring for carbon reduction'.  works with research partners across 12 countries to establish Global Virtual Workshops to tackle specific global challenges: poverty, zero hunger; good health and wellbeing; climate action; clean water and sanitation and sustainable cities and communities.
• How does a quantum computer work, and how will they change the world?  explains to how the background lies in quantum mechanics, and why the world will benefit from this new approach to computation. Prof. Hensinger also features on BBC Radio 4 , explaining his group's recent quantum computing breakthrough (go to 15:40).
• On 14 July, we were proud to host the annual workshop. Bringing together 30 colleagues from СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, Imperial, NPL, Birmingham and beyond, for a day of talks, poster presentations and networking.
• The СÀ¶ÊÓƵ's "Summer of Research" provided Dr Sam Hile with an opportunity to showcase the research of the Ion Quantum Technology group. His talk explores why quantum computers are so difficult to build.
• Our Quantum Systems and Devices group were well represented at this year's , hosted by ICFO in Barcelona. Poppy Joshi, Tasha Beirrum and Leigh Thomas Page presented respectively: 'Developing a Bose-Einstein condensate microscope'; ‘Radio-frequency dressing of Bose-Einstein condensates for investigating quantum phase’; and 'A new system to automatically characterise alkali vapour-cells'.

• The Ion Quantum Technology group welcomed the BBC’s Technology Editor, Zoe Kleinman, into their labs. The visit and an interview with feature in a programme from , where he reveals how his childhood ambitions have shaped his research (go to 14:27).

• In March we participated in the British Ion Trap Conference BrIT-C 2023 in Teddington. Ryan Willetts of our  won the runner up prize for best oral presentation with his talk The Geonium Chip Penning Trap: a novel ion trap quantum technology.
• We start the year with a paper from the Ion Quantum Technology group published by Nature Communications, led by Dr Mariam Akhtar: . The researchers demonstrate for the first time that quantum bits can directly transfer between quantum computer microchips with record-breaking speed and accuracy. The paper has been selected to represent one of the best recently published examples of quantum research in
  

2022 at a glance

• of our Ion Trap Cavity-QED and Molecular Physics group has an article published in Contemporary Physics titled .
• Physicists from СÀ¶ÊÓƵ spin-out company, Universal Quantum, have secured a record-breaking investment from the German government to build a truly scalable trapped ion quantum computer within the next four years. Read more about  and 's achievement, here.
• The СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Research with Impact seminar series ran a webinar focusing on quantum technology research at the University. Several of our staff and PhD students were invited to explain how research undertaken at the Centre is impacting wider technological advances. Watch the recording here. 
• In October, offered an inspiring speech to launch the Mid СÀ¶ÊÓƵ STEM challenge, as reported in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ World. The next generation of engineers will research and create a remote-controlled vehicle that can navigate an obstacle course at the South of England showground.
• of our has been awarded a share of UKRI funding worth £6m. The grant of £500,000 for 2-3 years will be funded by STFC via the call Developing Quantum Technologies for Fundamental Physics. Read about his goal to develop a quantum microwave sensor capable of measuring the absolute mass of the neutrino particle in

• A paper published in Nature by Prof. Alessia Pasquazi and her team includes research carried out by EPic Lab at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ:  details how the group have overcome a major obstacle in producing a portable atomic clock. Read more about this story .

• Members of our EPic Lab attended the in Maastricht in July to present a range of their research: 'Frequency control of Laser Cavity Solitons for metrological applications' (Antonio Cutrona), 'Terahertz 3D micro-tomography via time-resolved nonlinear ghost imaging' (Dr Luana Olivieri), 'Deterministic Terahertz wave control in complex media' (Vivek Kumar), and 'Spatiotemporal superfocusing of ultrafast Terahertz waves in complex media' (Vittorio Cecconi).
• The Ion Quantum Technology group present some of the quantum control methods used for dealing with noise for trapped ions with a focus on static magnetic field gradients and microwaves approaches. Read more in their paper 
• , featured on explaining why the UK is leading in the development of quantum computing, with applications ranging from the pharmaceutical and financial sectors, to fertiliser production (go to 2:50).
• Physicists in the Quantum Systems and Devices group led by have used magnetic imaging for assessing electric vehicle batteries, detailed in this published peer reviewed  in the Journal of Power Sources. With this new technology, the researchers can visualise the inside workings of an electric vehicle battery.
• Colleagues from the EPic Lab had the opportunity to attend the  3 - 7 April, and present their project on developing a Virtual Optical Effect (VOE) application.
• Our СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Quantum physicists were delighted to welcome Mims Davies, Employment Minister, to campus in April. She learned about the pioneering research taking place in our labs, as well as the potential to create a new "quantum Silicon Valley" in her Mid СÀ¶ÊÓƵ constituency.
• Foni Lebrun-Gallagher and colleagues in the Ion Quantum Technology group publish their paper  in IoP Science.
• Imagine being able to remotely monitor environmental factors in labs which can in turn be used to control systems in inaccessible and unpredicable envrionments such as space. The Quantum Systems and Devices group have achieved this, you can read more about it  and their published paper in .
• ITCM group are collaborating with other national quantum centres on a project supported by UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund. The aim of  is to create a network of innovative quantum sensors, including atomic and molecular clocks and optical cavities.
• Mark Webber, of the Ion Quantum Technology group and , has led on a paper published in AVS Quantum Science. It describes how a quantum computer could break the encryption of Bitcoin. The paper can be read here The Impact of Hardware Specifications on Reaching Quantum Advantage in the Fault Tolerant Regime, and a press release here СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Scientists Reveal how Quantum Computing can Break Bitcoin and Help Tackle World Hunger.
• explains how his Quantum Systems and Devices group are using quantum physics to see inside electrical vehicle batteries, in this on 12 January (go to 3:15).