Quantum ELecTronics in silIcon Carbide (QELTIC)

由于量子技术的不断发展，不可破解的密码、信息的隐形传送和超高速计算将很快不再是科幻文学中的虚构。量子力学是物理学的一个分支，它使我们能够理解自然在原子和亚原子尺度上是如何工作的。这些丰富的知识已经使智能手机、DVD播放机和核磁共振扫描仪等现代技术取得了成功。然而，更具变革性的基于量子的技术即将出现，可能会带来增强型传感器、强大的量子计算机和不可破解的通信系统。这些都被认为是迫在眉睫的现实，以至于各国政府和主要的ICT公司都在大举投资，以从它们未来的商业化中受益。一些量子设备目前正处于开发阶段，科学家和工程师正试图确定哪些形状或形式的量子设备可以更有效地商业化。每当开发一项新技术时，都必须在可能的实现中做出选择。例如，最初的盒式录像机以两种硬件格式(Betamax和VHS)同时进入市场，来自竞争对手索尼和JVC，最终VHS成为主导。同样，许多材料目前正在被仔细审查，以构建未来的量子硬件。例如，谷歌和IBM正在投资超导体，而英特尔和日立则普遍专注于半导体，因为它们已经广泛部署在微芯片行业。QELTIC项目将研究碳化硅(SIC)中的量子效应，碳化硅是一种由硅(用于大多数现代电子产品的材料)和碳(地球上生命的基石元素)制成的半导体。碳化硅是一种非常有前途的材料，因为它拥有量子效应，可以用来制造一系列有用的设备，从敏感的环境传感器(温度、辐射、磁场等)。以保护通信设备和增强型计算设备。至关重要的是，碳化硅量子技术可以利用现有的工业协议和工艺，而不是其他需要大量投资和额外基础设施的材料。推进这项技术的主要障碍是实现纳米尺寸的电子元件，使人们能够确定性地设计和控制量子效应。这一点很重要，因为它将为扩大到大型集成系统奠定基础，这些系统可以执行复杂的任务，如检测、计算和通信。QELTIC的目标是开发支撑技术，以实现第一代碳化硅量子纳米器件。这项研究将通过促进量子光学、量子电子学和半导体器件工程之间的合成来突破各种专业知识。这将为该领域开辟一个新的方向，到目前为止，该领域一直分别处理这些方面的问题。该项目是具有明确现实技术效益的发现科学之一。为了加强QELTIC调查结果的商业相关性，已经获得了一个多样化的商业合作伙伴网络的支持。例如，日立和英国电信这样的ICT巨头将为该技术的发展做出贡献，并可能成为早期采用者。国家物理实验室将为该项目提供专门的实验室设备。考虑到量子领域的先进和不断扩大的研究活动，斯特拉斯克莱德大学在实施国家量子技术计划中的关键作用，以及它与新兴的量子相关工业部门的密切联系，斯特拉斯克莱德大学处于主办这一项目的理想位置。

Unbreakable codes, teleportation of information and ultra-fast computing will soon cease to be figments of science fiction literature thanks to the ongoing development of quantum technologies. Quantum mechanics is a branch of Physics that has allowed us to understand how nature works at the atomic and sub-atomic scales. This wealth of knowledge has already enabled successful modern technologies, such as smartphones, DVD players and MRI scanners. However, even more transformative quantum-based technologies are on the horizon and could lead to enhanced sensors, powerful quantum computers and un-hackable communication systems. These are considered imminent realities, so much so that governments and major ICT corporations are copiously investing to benefit from their future commercialisation. Some quantum devices are currently at a stage of development where scientists and engineers are trying to determine in which shape or form they could be more efficiently commercialised. Whenever a new technology is being developed, a choice among possible implementations has to be made. For example, initial videocassette recording systems came simultaneously onto the market in two hardware formats (Betamax and VHS) from competitors Sony and JVC, before VHS eventually became dominant. Similarly, many materials are presently scrutinised to build the future quantum hardware. For instance, Google and IBM are investing in superconductors, while Intel and Hitachi have a prevalent focus on semiconductors, because they are already widely deployed in the microchip industry. Project QELTIC will investigate quantum effects in silicon carbide (SiC), a semiconductor made of silicon (the material used for most modern electronics) and carbon (the cornerstone element for life on Earth).SiC is an extremely promising material because it hosts quantum effects that can be exploited to build a range of useful devices ranging from sensitive environmental sensors (temperature, radiation, magnetic field etc.) to secure communication devices and enhanced computing apparatuses. Crucially, SiC quantum technology could leverage existing industrial protocols and processes, as opposed to other materials that would require significant investments and additional infrastructure. The main hurdle to advance this technology is the realisation of nanometre size electronic components that allow one to deterministically engineer and control quantum effects. This is important because it would lay the foundation for scaling up to large integrated systems that can perform complex tasks, such as detection, computation and communication. QELTIC aims to develop the underpinning technology to realise the first generation of quantum nano-devices in SiC. This research will cut through a diverse range of expertise by promoting a synthesis between quantum optics, quantum electronics and semiconductor device engineering. This will open a new direction in the field that has, until now, addressed these aspects separately. This project is one of discovery science with clear and realistic technological benefits. In order to enhance the commercial relevance of QELTIC's findings, the support of a diverse network of business partners has been secured. For example, ICT giants of the calibre of Hitachi and British Telecom will contribute towards the development of the technology and could act as early adopters. The National Physical Laboratory will support the project with provision of specialised laboratory equipment. The University of Strathclyde is ideally positioned to host this project, given advanced and expanding research activities in the quantum arena, its key role in the implementation of the National Quantum Technology Programme, and its strong ties with the nascent quantum-related industrial sector.