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In ten years, how big will quantum computers be, what will they be made of, and what real-world problems will they be able to tackle? What will be the range and capabilities of quantum networks? How and where will quantum sensors be deployed? What new technologies - such as quantum memories or quantum biology-inspired materials - will emerge?

With much attention focused on near-term goals such as achieving ‘quantum supremacy‘ with quantum computing, or establishing point-to-point quantum communication channels, our annual industry event was an opportunity to look further into the future and ask how these advances will develop into technologies with far-reaching impact.

In London’s landmark concrete ziggurat - the Barbican Centre, we heard from quantum physicists and engineers, PhD students, and professors; each giving their perspectives on the future potential of quantum technologies.

The event began with a talk about the heroic age of quantum computing by Professor Toby Cubitt, followed by a discussion on the state-of-the-art techniques in quantum annealing and Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍøQ’s contribution to the field by Dr Katie Porsch. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍøQ fellow Dr Niko Breuckmann then discussed the present and future prospects of quantum error correction and Dr Michael Fogarty updated delegates on the recent advances in quantum computing with silicon chips. Rounding up the presentations Professor Stephen Hogan led a discussion on quantum sensing and information processing with highly excited atoms.

The event included a discussion panel chaired by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍøQ’s director Professor John Morton, with contributions from the Director of the London Centre for Nanotechnology Professor Andrew Fisher, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍøQ researcher Professor Dan Browne, CEO of Oxford Quantum Circuits Dr Ilana Wisby and Challenge Director for Quantum Technologies at UK Research and Innovation Roger McKinlay.

The Barbican conservatory was the atmospheric setting for Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍøQ’s annual poster session and competition. The award for best poster was awarded to Lisa Tse, a PhD student in the EPSRC Doctoral Centre in Developing Quantum Technologies. Her poster was titled Online matrix completion with side information.

To attend our next industry event, get in touch.

This article was featured in Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍøQ’s 2019/20 annual report.