EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Delivering Quantum Technologies

多年来，量子力学一直是物理学的核心。它的发展对20世纪世纪科学的许多关键突破至关重要，但它以反直觉的特征而闻名;薛定谔的猫所说明的叠加;以及爱因斯坦的“幽灵般的远距离行动”的量子纠缠。量子技术基于这样一种想法，即量子力学的“怪异性”也提供了一个技术机会。由于量子力学系统的行为方式与大规模系统有着根本的不同，如果这种行为可以被控制和利用，它就可以被用于全新的技术。利用量子效应来增强计算、密码学和传感的想法出现在20世纪80年代，但利用它们所需的技术水平还遥不可及。量子效应只在非常小的尺度（原子和分子水平）或非常冷的温度（绝对零度以上几度）的系统中观察到。许多多年前预测的关键量子力学效应直到世纪才在实验室中得到证实。例如，2015年首次实现了爱因斯坦幽灵般的远距离行动的决定性演示。随着近十年来实验的快速发展，我们已经到了一个转折点，以前仅限于大学实验室的量子效应现在正在商业化制造的芯片和设备中得到展示。量子技术可能对我们的经济和社会产生深远的影响;量子计算机可以执行超过最强大的超级计算机能力的计算;具有前所未有的灵敏度的微观传感设备;通信的安全性由物理定律保证。这些技术可能会带来巨大的变革，对医疗保健、金融、国防、航空航天、能源和运输等领域产生潜在影响。虽然过去30年的量子技术研究主要局限于大学，但未来5-10年实用量子技术的交付将取决于工业实验室和产学合作伙伴关系的成就。对于这个行业的发展，有一个能够领导它的劳动力是至关重要的。这个劳动力需要以前行业没有使用过的技能，结合对技术基础的量子物理学的深刻理解以及工程，计算机科学和可转移的技能来利用它们。我们博士培训中心的目标是培养这个新行业的领导者。他们将学习物理，工程和计算机科学方面的高级技术主题，以及沟通和创业方面的基本技能。他们将进行世界级的原创研究，以获得博士学位。在整个学习过程中，他们将接受培训，并与包括世界领先的公司和重要的国家政府实验室在内的合作伙伴组织网络合作。我们博士培训中心的毕业生将成为量子技术专家，帮助在英国创造和发展这个潜在的革命性的21世纪产业。

For many years, quantum mechanics has been a curiosity at the heart of physics. Its development was essential to many of the key breakthroughs of 20th century science, but it is famous for counter-intuitive features; the superposition illustrated by Schrödinger's cat; and the quantum entanglement responsible for Einstein's "spooky action at a distance". Quantum Technologies are based on the idea that the "weirdness" of quantum mechanics also presents a technological opportunity. Since quantum mechanical systems behave in a fundamentally different way to large-scale systems, if this behaviour could be controlled and exploited it could be utilised for fundamentally new technologies.Ideas for using quantum effects to enhancing computation, cryptography and sensing emerged in the 1980s, but the level of technology required to exploit them was out of reach. Quantum effects were only observed in systems at either very tiny scales (at the level of atoms and molecules) or very cold temperatures (a fraction of a degree above absolute zero). Many of the key quantum mechanical effects predicted many years ago were only confirmed in the laboratory in the 21st century. For example, a decisive demonstration of Einstein's spooky action at a distance was first achieved in 2015. With such rapid experimental progress in the last decade, we have reached a turning point, and quantum effects previously confined to university laboratories are now being demonstrated in commercially fabricated chips and devices.Quantum Technologies could have a profound impact on our economy and society; Quantum computers that can perform computations beyond the capabilities of the most powerful supercomputer; microscopic sensing devices with unprecedented sensitivity; communications whose security is guaranteed by the laws of physics. These technologies could be hugely transformative, with potential impacts in health-care, finance, defence, aerospace, energy and transport.While the past 30 years of quantum technology research have been largely confined to universities, the delivery of practical quantum technologies over the next 5-10 years will be defined by achievements in industrial labs and industry-academic partnerships. For this industry to develop, it will be essential that there is a workforce who can lead it. This workforce requires skills that no previous industry has utilised, combining a deep understanding of the quantum physics underlying the technologies as well as the engineering, computer science and transferrable skills to exploit them.The aim of our Centre for Doctoral Training is to train the leaders of this new industry. They will be taught advanced technical topics in physics, engineering, and computer science, alongside essential broader skills in communication and entrepreneurship. They will undertake world-class original research leading to a PhD. Throughout their studies they will be trained by, and collaborate with a network of partner organisations including world-leading companies and important national government laboratories. The graduates of our Centre for Doctoral Training will be quantum technologists, helping to create and develop this potentially revolutionary 21st-century industry in the UK.