Quantum-computing initiatives worldwide are examined by leading physicists

01 Mar 2019 Hamish Johnston

Global reach: it is a quantum world out there. (Courtesy: iStock/Bellenixe)

Do you wonder how much Canada is spending on the development of quantum science and technologies, or exactly what the European Commission’s Quantum Flagship is? Well, you are in luck because the journal Quantum Science and Technology has put together a special Focus on Quantum Science and Technology Initiatives Around the World.

Written by some of the leading physicists in the field, the first five articles in the collection cover Canada, the EU, Japan, the US, and Australia. Reports from the UK and China will be published later this year.

Ben Sussman at the National Research Council of Canada and co-authors point out that their country is first amongst the G7 nations in terms of per-capita spending on quantum research. South of the border, Michael Raymer of the University of Oregon and Christopher Monroe of the Joint Quantum Institute in Maryland explain how the ongoing development of quantum science and technology in the US has been enshrined in a law called the National Quantum Initiative Act. What have I gleaned from the reports? Well, there is an “Australian approach” to quantum science and technology according to Tara Roberson and Andrew White of the University of Queensland. They say the essence of this approach is captured in the phrase “alloys make the strongest metals”.

Yoshihisa Yamamoto of the Japan Science and Technology Agency and co-authors describe a raft of new quantum initiatives Japan including the development of quantum inertial sensor technologies based on gyroscopes with matter waves.

As for the EC’s Quantum Flagship, Max Riedel at Siemens University Relations in Munich and co-authors describe it as “an ambitious €1 billion, 10-year endeavor”.

All articles in the collection are free to read.

Hamish Johnston is the general-physics editor of Physics World

physicsworld.com 15/3/2019