The Materials for Quantum Network (M4QN), in partnership with Henry Royce Institute, has published an important report on Materials for Quantum Technologies, prepared by IfM Engage at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM).
The Future Directions for Materials for Quantum Technologies report identifies some key challenges for materials development for two quantum application areas: computing, and sensing and imaging. This includes not just the materials used for qubits but also the packaging materials, e.g. glues, sealants, and multilayer interconnects. It links the capabilities and materials to science and to applications.
The importance of quantum technologies has been recognised by many governments around the world for advancing a range of different applications from computing to communications, sensing and timing. The UK’s National Quantum Strategy vision is for the UK to be a leading quantum-enabled economy, recognising the importance of quantum technologies for the UK’s prosperity and security.
Materials Challenge
This report identifies the challenges for the development of materials for two key quantum application areas:
- Computing and Communication
- Sensing and Imaging
The common material requirements between the two technology areas were identified as:
Materials Development and Efficient Photonic Integration of Solid State Quantum Emitters: Multifaceted material integration including heterojunctions, nanophotonic device fabrication, and precise interfacing techniques; development of materials towards on-chip photonic systems.
Material Quality and Characterisation Quality Control: Defect Engineering – Material Quality and characterisation quality control, a resilient UK supply; material quality and characterisation defect control.
Material and Quantum Systems Discovery and Modelling: Investigation and discovery of new qubit systems including 2D, topological and spintronics systems – exploring alternative growth techniques; research on materials with higher critical temperatures; high-quality thin film materials; automated discovery and characterisation of spin systems.
The report makes a number of recommendations:
Skills and training are required across all technology areas. These include attracting new researchers into the field, supporting and upskilling existing researchers, and creating new educational and community programs to train the next generation of researchers and engineers. Encouraging innovative thinking by supporting proposals that are unconventional and diverge from the mainstream narrative is also important.
Infrastructure is critical to helping the UK quantum community advance in areas ranging from modelling and high-performance computing to small-scale laboratories for 2D material synthesis and characterisation, nanofabrication facilities, large-scale infrastructure for manufacturing quantum devices, wafer testing pilot production facilities and open foundries to enable industrial-scale manufacturing in the UK. The report states that a UK facility dedicated to diamond material innovation, fostering a seamless transition from high-precision development to practical, large-scale production is needed for sensor and imaging applications. Some of this capability may already exist in the UK, some need to be improved and some will need to be developed to ensure the UK continues to be in the forefront of technological innovation.
Funding is needed for the recruitment and retention of experienced personnel, research projects, and equipment. Interdisciplinary collaborations between different specialities, and laboratory exchanges including representatives from both industry and academia are also crucial for progressing in this field.
Prof Richard Curry, M4QN Co-Director, said:
“This report highlights the critical role materials play in the development and delivery of quantum technologies. There is a timely opportunity for UK policy to help shape and co-ordinate activities at a national level, both for skills development, and focus areas, and in establishing international partnerships and access to fabrication facilities, attracting international talent and supporting this burgeoning UK industry which has huge growth potential”.
Royce CEO, Prof David Knowles added:
“This ‘Future Directions’ report highlights some key priorities that, if enacted, will ensure the materials innovation is delivered which is necessary to catapult the quantum technology sector in the UK to become a centre of research and innovation excellence in what is set to be a crucial part of our future economy. Royce is pleased to be in partnership with M4QN in highlighting these priorities”
You can read the report here.
About M4QN
The Materials for Quantum Network (M4QN) was established and funded in 2022 by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The Network brings together the world-leading UK materials research base, the existing National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), and the developing quantum technologies industry base in a UK-wide coordinated effort. M4QN has two main objectives; the formation of new interdisciplinary research communities and identification of new interdisciplinary research topics within application areas.
