Supporting U.S. Quantum Technology Development

In addition, when applied to the biomedical field, quantum sensor technologies could lead to more efficient and more accurate medical diagnoses, less invasive techniques and more data to aid pharmaceutical research, another QED-C assessment found.

Four of the most common areas for clinical use of quantum sensors include: infectious disease, cancer, drug metabolism and diagnostics applications, according to the consortium. In particular, the sensors could be applied to subcellular imaging, systemic disease detection, brain imaging, tissue oxygenation imaging, biophoton detection for disease diagnostics and microbiome analysis.

Quantum sensors could also advance cancer research, such as in studies of cells and cell temperature dynamics. “When it comes to biomedical use cases, quantum sensors could have a dramatic impact on improving the lives of patients,” Merzbacher noted.

Notably, the consortium is also supporting research and development into cryogenic technologies that are needed to advance quantum-based systems. These technologies, which operate in very low temperatures—under -238 Fahrenheit—are critical components of many quantum systems. Four QED-C members, including FormFactor, Northrop Grumman, Quantum Opus and Triton Systems, are working on four separate cryogenics research programs, the consortium stated.

A robust workforce will be needed to support the quantum ecosystem, Merzbacher advised, noting that the quantum industry does not just need those with doctorate degrees. The burgeoning industry needs people in marketing, sales, contracting, program management, etc.

“One of the findings from our workforce development study is that you won’t necessarily need a quantum degree,” the executive director said. “We are transitioning away from a period when most of the people who got hired in the quantum industry, especially by the smaller companies and startups, were Ph.D.s. But as the industry becomes more mature, we are seeing that they need more master’s degree-level, undergraduates and technician-level people.”

People who have at least a low level of familiarity with quantum issues could be relatively easily brought up to speed if they were hired by a quantum company, until companies find more people with hands-on quantum experience. Companies are also pulling workers from adjacent fields that have shared skills, such as from microelectronics, semiconductors or photonics, and then relying on in-house training to bring them up to speed, according to the QED-C.

In addition, the industry will need quantum technicians across several roles such as system and component fabrication, assembly, characterization, testing, operation and maintenance. “There is a clear need to start developing this workforce now,” Merzbacher noted. “And a more coordinated approach, specifically geared toward filling the quantum workforce pipeline, could increase productivity and progress, especially in small companies.”

And although the QED-C is not a standards body, many of its officials do participate in standards development, the executive director mentioned.

“We have an active standards committee, and they are talking about the fundamentals needed for standards, such as ‘how do you measure performance of a quantum system,’” Merzbacher said. “They are also considering the benchmarks you might use to track technology development, so that when you do standardize, you have the understanding of how the technology would benefit from standards.”

One of the most visible organizations that some of the officials are participating in is the Joint Technical Committee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

“The IEC and ISO are two big international standards bodies, which are significant centers of standards activity, and they now have two joint technical committees, including one on quantum,” she stated.