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问题。它的发展对20世纪科学的许多关键突破是必不可少的，但它以反直觉的特征、薛定谔的猫所展示的叠加以及导致爱因斯坦“远距离幽灵行动”的量子纠缠而闻名。量子技术基于这样一种想法，即量子力学的“怪异”也提供了一种技术机会。由于量子力学系统的行为方式与大规模系统完全不同，如果这种行为能够被控制和利用，它可以被用于根本上的新技术。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，但利用这些想法所需的技术水平是遥不可及的。量子效应只能在非常微小的尺度(原子和分子水平)或非常低的温度(比绝对零度高几度)的系统中观察到。许多多年前预测的关键量子力学效应在21世纪才在实验室得到证实。例如，在2015年首次实现了对爱因斯坦诡异行动的决定性演示。在过去的十年里，随着如此快速的实验进展，我们已经到达了一个转折点，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的计算能力；具有前所未有的灵敏度的微观传感设备；安全由物理定律保证的通信。这些技术可能具有巨大的变革性，在医疗保健、金融、国防、航空航天、能源和交通方面具有潜在影响。尽管过去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。要发展这个行业，最重要的是要有一支能够领导这个行业的劳动力。这些劳动力需要以前行业从未使用过的技能，结合了对作为技术基础的量子物理的深入了解，以及利用这些技术的工程、计算机科学和可转移技能。我们的博士培训中心的目标是培训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，以及基本的更广泛的沟通和创业技能。他们将进行世界级的原创性研究，最终获得博士学位。在整个学习过程中，他们将接受合作组织网络的培训和合作，这些组织包括世界领先的公司和重要的国家政府实验室。我们博士培训中心的毕业生将是量子技术专家，帮助创建和发展这一潜在的革命性的21世纪英国产业。

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.