Overview
Imagine the ability to detect small electrical signals with such precision that one could detect electrical activity in the brain. Or imagine a machine that could that could solve problems that would take even the fastest supercomputers billions of years to solve, such as designing new medicines.
At the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies (SCQT) we harness and exploit the power of quantum physics to make such advances a reality, creating quantum technologies that have the potential to profoundly transform the way we work and live.
We use the power of trapped charged atoms (ions), neutral atoms or electrons to realise practical quantum technologies. Indeed SCQT is one of the largest ion trapping centres in the world. Our highly disruptive research covers a breadth of quantum technologies: quantum computing, quantum clocks, quantum imaging, quantum theory, quantum networks, and quantum enhanced measurements.
As a ‘Centre of Excellence’ at the University of Sussex, SCQT brings together researchers from disciplines outside physics, including engineering, informatics, life sciences, and medicine for collaborative translational research. A multi-million-pound grant portfolio and state-of-the-art facilities enable ground-breaking research that are transformed into real-world technologies, with three successful spin outs, numerous patents, and collaborations with major players in industry, such as Google, IBM, TfL and AmEx that lead to real-world impact.
We are leading the way in creating a trained and highly skilled future workforce in quantum technologies for the UK, with a unique training offer. Highly gifted undergraduates on our new 4-year quantum technology degree can join a SCQT research group from day one of their degree to participate in research – a first in the UK. Our one-year research-based quantum technology MSc degree and Online Distance Learning Quantum Technology MSc (also a UK first), and bespoke short courses for industry, empower learners through a combination of scientific theory and real-world application. In 2024, we were awarded a new £24m EPSRC doctoral training centre in quantum information science and technologies as a joint venture with the University of Bristol, together training a cohort of 18 PhD students every year.
Through ground-breaking research and a concentration of key talent, SCQT is not merely a part of the quantum technology revolution – we are driving it.
The Challenge
Quantum Technologies is a frontier industry that has the potential to support 148,100 new UK jobs and increase productivity gains for end-user sectors (e.g., energy, transport, defence, pharmaceuticals) by an average of 33%. We are working to translate ground-breaking academic research into real-world products. Some examples of our breakthroughs are that we:
- Created the first nuts-and-bolts construction plan to build a practical quantum computer with millions of qubits
- Accomplished the world’s first demonstration of strong coupling between a trapped ion and a photon – a significant step towards realising the quantum internet
- Developed portable atomic clocks with superior performance that increase resilience of the national grid and telecoms infrastructure against attacks, or failures of satnav systems
- Invented the most sensitive technique to sense low-frequency electric fields – 100 times more sensitive than previously achievable – enabling sensing of submarines and underwater communication
- Changed the paradigm of how to build a trapped-ion quantum computer, replacing the need for alignment of billions of laser beams with a simpler approach: applying voltages to a microchip.
Drawing on these breakthroughs we are working to create real world products that will change the way we work and live.
Partnerships
Quantum Technologies is a frontier industry that has the potential to support 148,100 new Researchers at SCQT work closely with > 65 leading partners from academia and industry from within the UK and beyond, including UCL, Imperial, NIST, and numerous others to address critical challenges that will lead to new and advanced quantum technologies. Leading an international consortium including Google, Aarhus University, Riken and Siegen University, SCQT researchers created the first nuts-and-bolts construction plan to build a practical scalable quantum computer.
Beyond the individual technologies, we work towards a future that leads to a powerful technology supercluster within our region. By bringing together subsystem manufacturers, quantum technology companies and industry end users, attracting talent, leveraging private and public investment, we are catalysing creation of a ‘Quantum Silicon Valley’ in the heart of the Sussex region to drive economic growth, job creation, and prosperity.
Our Research
At SCQT, we are shaping the future of quantum technologies. Our combination of world-leading experts and specialised facilities have given rise to significant breakthroughs:
- Quantum computing: We are working towards constructing utility scale quantum computers with millions of qubits.
- Quantum clocks: We develop portable atomic clocks with superior performance that increase the resilience of the national grid and telecoms against attacks or failures of satnav systems
- Quantum sensing: We invented world-record breaking techniques to create devices that can detect low frequency electric fields – sensitive enough to enable underwater communication
- Quantum imaging: We use quantum imaging to detect processes in the brain or aging of batteries
- Quantum theory: Our research on trapping atoms in unusual shapes and topologies was adopted by the International Space Station and groups across the world.
- Quantum networks: We are working on creating the quantum internet
We are pushing the boundaries of what is possible, shaping the future of quantum technologies.
Our impact
We have a proven track record in converting ground-breaking research into real world products. Our spin-out company Universal Quantum has attracted multi-million pound venture capital funding from household-name investors. The company attracted the largest government quantum computing contract, ever awarded to a single company, to build two quantum computers for the German Space Agency, with a total value of €67M.
We are creating inspiring outreach and engagement – for example, a walk-in quantum computer installation in the heart of London’s financial district, and we curated the ‘Mysteries of Quantum Computing’ exhibition at the London Science Museum.
Our researchers have advised governments in the UK, Germany and USA about policy implications of Sussex research, and have played an important role in the creation of UK’s £2B National Quantum Technology Programme.
