FEATURE QUANTUM PHOTONICS
Bringing photonic- enabled quantum tech to market
How can photonics companies work with the quantum sector to accelerate commercialisation? Abigail Williams finds out
T
he two biggest photonic exhibitions in the western world – the Laser World of
Photonics and Photonics West – have each recently introduced a specialist quantum section of their exhibitions, helping to confidently demonstrate that quantum technologies are now emerging from the lab as real products that can be deployed in industry. As more and more quantum
technologies approach commercial use, an increasing number of organisations in the photonics sector are now focusing their attention on
how best to optimise their position in this growing global market. So, what are the main types of photonics-enabled quantum technologies? What is the expected timeline and rate of adoption of quantum technologies in industrial applications? Is there anything that could be done to accelerate this? And how best can photonics companies work with the quantum technologies sector to deliver quantum technologies?
Quantum’s key applications As Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director at the Quantum
Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), and a 2024 Photonics100 honouree, explains, the term ‘quantum technologies’ is used to describe a host of devices, components and systems that are enabled by the quantum mechanical behaviour of matter. “Quantum technology can be
grouped according to the type of quantum bit, or qubit, such as superconducting circuits, neutral atoms, trapped ions, photons, spin-based devices such as nitrogen vacancy defects in diamond, and so on. Each type has advantages and disadvantages for specific
applications,” she says. “According to the fourth annual assessment and forecast of the quantum computing sector based on a survey of industry players, the main users or use cases for quantum computers are R&D, including in quantum- related fields, chemicals and chemistry, financial services, and cybersecurity.” Najwa Sidqi, Knowledge
Transfer Manager – Emerging
Below: a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) from Nexus Photonics. According to CEO Tin Komljenovic, moving to integrated components and PICs ‘will be key to taking [quantum systems] out of the lab’
22 Electro Optics March 2024
www.electrooptics.com
Nexus Photonics
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