Scientists at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) are working with Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC) to accelerate research and development to support the commercialization and optimization of their quantum technologies, such as IronBridge™, and help with the characterization of photonic components, according to a news release. This includes the metrology of emerging ultra-low loss optical connectors, for example, to meet the exacting requirements of IEC standards for improving the efficiency of quantum optical networks.
CQC’s IronBridge™ is a photonic quantum device, built to provide high grade entropy to be used for post-quantum encryption algorithms, cached entropy generation for IoT devices, key generation for certificates, quantum watermarking and many other use cases in cybersecurity, science, engineering, finance and gaming by utilizing verifiable quantum randomness.
NPL is the UK’s National Metrology Institute and home to the Quantum Metrology Institute, which brings together NPL’s cutting-edge quantum science and metrology research and provides the expertise and facilities needed for academia and industry to test, validate, and ultimately commercialize new quantum research and technologies.
This collaboration will provide CQC with access to NPL’s experts and world-class facilities and is a great example of how partnerships can help drive innovation within the UK. Supporting high tech companies like CQC at an early stage of the development of quantum computers ensures maximum benefit from their photonic products and quantum processes ultimately increasing the optimization ability from a lab environment to practicality in the real world.
Irshaad Fatadin, Principal Research Scientist, NPL said “This strategic research partnership is an exciting opportunity for further collaboration in quantum computing applications spanning cybersecurity, drug development, AI, modelling, traffic, network optimization and climate change to name but a few. I am confident that this collaboration will have a lasting impact by supporting CQC, currently at a crucial stage in the development of quantum computers and devices, to extract maximum benefit from their novel photonic products using world-leading metrology from NPL which will lead to UK quantum products competing in world markets.”
Ilyas Khan, CEO of CQC said: “NPL are globally respected as a centre of excellence in cutting edge technologies and our collaboration with them on this highly innovative quantum computing project is a noteworthy milestone. In addition to NPL’s respected scientific depth and credibility, NPL brings the required metrology expertise to develop technologies for the quantum computing era. We look forward to developing advances together and in particular in developing verifiable quantum entropy for use in critical cybersecurity areas as well as inputs for monte carlo simulations.”
NPL is the UK’s National Metrology Institute, providing the measurement capability that underpins the UK’s prosperity and quality of life.
From new antibiotics to tackle resistance and more effective cancer treatments, to secure quantum communications and superfast 5G, technological advances must be built on a foundation of reliable measurement to succeed. Building on over a century’s worth of expertise, our science, engineering and technology provides this foundation. We save lives, protect the environment and enable citizens to feel safe and secure, as well as support international trade and commercial innovation. As a national laboratory, our advice is always impartial and independent, meaning consumers, investors, policymakers and entrepreneurs can always rely on the work we do.
Based in Teddington, south-west London, NPL employs over 600 scientists. NPL also has regional bases across the UK, including at the University of Surrey, the University of Strathclyde, the University of Cambridge and the University of Huddersfield’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre.
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