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Europaudvalget 2016
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EUROPEAN

COMMISSION

Brussels, 19.4.2016

SWD(2016) 107 final

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT

QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES

Accompanying the document

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN

PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL

COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

European Cloud Initiative

Building a competitive data and knowledge economy in Europe

{COM(2016) 178 final}

{SWD(2016) 106 final}

kom (2016) 0178 - Ingen titel

This document summarizes current issues in creating industrially and societally relevant

Quantum Technologies, and discusses concerns to be addressed by a roadmap for turning

Europe's global leadership in research into a future world-class European Quantum Industry.

HAT ARE QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES

The first quantum revolution – understanding and applying physical laws of the microscopic

realm – resulted in ground-breaking technologies such as the transistor and laser. The impact

of this first quantum revolution on our society can hardly be over-stated. Now, our growing

ability to manipulate quantum effects in customised systems and materials is paving the way

for a

second quantum revolution.

Its industrial and societal impact is likely to be again

radically transformative.

Quantum theory has fundamentally changed our understanding of how light and matter

behave at extremely small scales. For example, objects can be in different states at the same

time ('superposition') and can be deeply connected without direct physical interaction

('entanglement'). The second quantum revolution takes quantum theory to its technological

consequences. It is leading to devices with

fundamentally superior performance and

capabilities for sensing, measuring, imaging, communication, simulation and

computing.

Some are starting to be commercially exploited. Others may still require years of

careful research and development. Yet others we cannot even imagine today.

The foreseeable range of markets and applications for quantum technologies is vast (see

Section 2). However, the main future quantum technology market is predicted to be a

game-

changing addition to the market of information and communication technology

(ICT).

As stated by Prof. Anton Zeilinger, a pioneer in the field, at a recent industry round table

'It

is my strong belief that within a few decades from now all of our future ICT will be quantum.

There is no fundamental reason why it should not be.'

This path is further corroborated by a

quick scan of companies that are already investing significantly in quantum technology

research and innovation: Google, Microsoft, IBM, Toshiba, Intel, Lockheed Martin as well as

by a survey of the European industry interest in quantum technologies from companies like

Bosch, Siemens, Thales, IMEC, Safran, ASML, Nokia, Airbus and Alcatel Lucent - all are

key players in ICT and its cutting-edge industrial applications.

Quantum computing is the logical

big step beyond anything currently envisaged at the

high-end of computing technology,

including exascale high-performance computing

Classical computing has enjoyed a remarkable increase in speed and storage capacity over

several decades in the past, broadly following "Moore's Law". It is now well recognised, also

in the semiconductor industry, that this will not be replicated in future decades.

Scaling of

Moore's law is approaching physical limitations. Quantum effects are now beginning to

become apparent and make improvements in the performance of conventional ICT more

difficult, also in economic terms. Rather than seeing quantum phenomena as a limit or

nuisance, Quantum Technologies make the radical choice of exploiting them for a

fundamentally new kind of information processing.

Report from the Quantum Technologies Industry Roundtable organised by the European Commission on

13th of October 2015

See the strategic research agenda of the European High-Performance Computing (HPC) strategy at

http://www.etp4hpc.eu/strategy/strategic-research-agenda/

See International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors, in particular ITRS 2.0 (www.itrs2.net)

kom (2016) 0178 - Ingen titel

In the long term, quantum computing holds the promise to solve classes of

computational problems that would take current supercomputers longer than the age of

the universe.

The scientific computing that this will enable could bring about breakthroughs

in for instance chemical process design, energy efficient materials, energy harvesting as well

as in machine learning/big-data analysis, with applications in many domains, from

personalised medicine to climate modelling.

Data security and safety

will also be dramatically impacted by quantum technologies. On

the one hand, some widely used data-encryption techniques will be vulnerable once quantum

computing becomes available. On the other hand, with quantum communication techniques

data can be protected in a completely secure way that makes eavesdropping fundamentally

impossible. Given the growing role of (big)data in science and policy making, and the central

importance of data-privacy and security, mastering related quantum technologies will be a

highly strategic capability for Europe's enterprises, governments and citizens.

UTURE AND

MERGING

RODUCTS AND

ARKETS

Devices and systems exploiting fundamental quantum effects are traditionally grouped along

the following lines

: Quantum Sensing, Metrology and Imaging Systems; Quantum

Communication; and Quantum Computing and Simulation. Although there is a strong

interplay between these domains in the underlying theory and physics, they address different

problems and there is a large diversity of physical systems being used. Their development

and exploitation therefore tend to focus on each area independently and to advance at

different speeds.

Near-term technologies mentioned could be available within 5 years,

notably for sensing, metrology, imaging and communication. Otherwise the anticipated time

frame is 10 to 15 years and beyond. The future markets for these different technologies are

going to be significant. For example, already in 2020, Quantum Communication could serve

a market sized over €1 Billion, with a steep estimated growth rate of 20 percent per year.

Note that for almost any of the quantum devices mentioned below there are multiple possible

physical realisations. For example quantum computers store their information in so-called

qubits that hold quantum states. There are still several competing realisations of such qubits

(cold atoms, electromagnetically trapped ions, electron spins in solid state devices, etc.).

Researchers are still exploring the pros and cons of these. They are also occasionally

discovering new ones, often first in theory, while it may take years before they are also

physically demonstrated.

2.1. Quantum Sensing, Metrology and Imaging Systems

Quantum sensors use quantum effects to precisely measure physical parameters, such as

acceleration, electromagnetic fields and gravity. Metrology systems use quantum effects to

Adapted from 'Qurope: Quantum Information Processing and Communication in Europe'

http://qurope.eu/

See “Industry Perspectives on Quantum Technologies” (October, 2015, available at

https://connect.innovateuk.org);

“A roadmap for quantum technologies in the UK” (UK Quantum Technologies

Programme, 2015); “Quantum Technology Roadmap Report” IfM Education and Consultancy Services,

Technology Strategy Board and University of Cambridge, UK, 2014; and “Quantum Information Processing and

Communication: Strategic report on current status, visions and goals for research in Europe” (QUIE2T FP7

Coordination Action,, 2013)

Market research media ltd, 2014. Comparable economic forecasts are published in “Quantum

Cryptography 2014 market study and business opportunities assessment”, by the Institute for Quantum

Computing, University of Waterloo (Thomas Jennewein, Eric Choi).

kom (2016) 0178 - Ingen titel

enable local, verifiable, reliable and robust calibration and measurement of SI (International

System of Units) standard units of measurement such as time and frequency. Quantum

imaging uses quantum effects for pushing performance and sensitivity beyond the limits of

classical imaging techniques.

Some quantum technologies in these fields are already well-established, such as microwave

atomic clocks, alkali vapour and SQUID magnetometers and Josephson voltage standards.

Near‐term technologies include optical atomic clocks, quantum gravity sensors, novel

magnetic sensors, accelerometers, improved nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and

scanning tunnelling microscope, as well as single pixel imaging. In the mid- to long-term we

will see quantum magnetometer / electrometers, quantum gyros, higher precision and chip-

size quantum clocks, new quantum-standardised SI units (e.g. Ampere, Candela), quantum-

secured imaging, in-vivo cellular and neural imaging and single photon imaging.

Markets for such technologies include the exploitation of natural resources, civil engineering,

quality and safety control, indoor positioning and navigation, portable and wearable personal

systems, healthcare, telecommunications, security and defence, financial trading (time

stamping, certification and applications), synchronization, infrastructure monitoring and

portable standard tests. Quantum imaging is now an active topic of research, with potential

applications in healthcare, biotechnology, infrastructure monitoring, security and defence.

2.2. Quantum Communication

Quantum communication systems use quantum principles to securely transmit classical data,

or to transmit quantum data. Near term technologies for this are quantum random number

generators (QRNG) for secure key or token generation, point-to-point quantum key

distribution (QKD) for secure key exchange in crypto systems and sources of entangled

photon pairs.

Currently these technologies are limited to point to point communication over distances of a

few hundreds of kilometres, at least when optical fibre or earth-to-earth free-space is used as

medium, and loop holes for hacking have not yet been completely closed. Mid- to long-term

technologies include “device-independent” protocols for quantum key distribution, based on

entanglement, quantum key distribution over global networks, using satellite links, quantum

memories and quantum repeaters, potentially leading to a new and quantum-secured global

Internet.

Markets for quantum communication include secure telecommunications, security and

defence, high-quality entropy (randomness) for crypto functions and other online industries,

on-line gaming, quantum-secured commercial transactions, user authentication, personal data

security (e.g., medical, privacy).

2.3. Quantum Computation and Simulation

Quantum Computing architectures store and process data as quantum states (Qubits). They

allow radically faster solutions of major classes of computing problems that defy even the

most powerful classical computers today. Moreover, the physical process of quantum

computing holds the promise of increased energy efficiency. Whereas general quantum

computers are among the most ambitious of quantum technologies, quantum simulators are

easier to realise. Quantum simulators are quantum systems that directly reproduce the

quantum physics of, for example, chemical reactions or materials that are too complex to

kom (2016) 0178 - Ingen titel

simulate otherwise (because they scale exponentially on classical computers), thereby helping

to predict and improve physical properties of existing compounds and materials or designing

new ones (for example, materials that are super conducting at room temperature).

Near-term technologies include small-scale quantum computers and quantum simulators on a

diversity of physical platforms (such as lattice materials, ultra‐cold atoms, or superconducting

Qubits). They could be used to explore new quantum control mechanisms, quantum

algorithms, or for very specific simulations. .In the mid- to long term one expects universal

quantum computers, quantum memories, devices for direct simulation of superconductivity,

complex (bio-) chemical reactions, leading to for instance new metamaterials, improved

batteries, solar cells and medicines.

Potential markets for quantum computation and simulation include research, IT and computer

industry, Big Data, telecommunications, defence and security, real‐time weather forecast,

finance, cognitive computing and control systems, materials, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology,

and energy efficient (e.g., superconducting or photosensitive) materials and processes.

SUPPORT FOR

UANTUM

ECHNOLOGIES

After almost 20 years of investment of around ~550M€ in EU funding, Europe has a well

acknowledged world-class scientific and technical expertise in Quantum Technologies. The

European research community has already put much effort into structuring its work in this

area around a common research roadmap.

The Excellence in Science pillar of

Horizon 2020

is well positioned to support the most upstream

research, notably through Future and

Emerging Technologies (FET)

for the collaborative effort, the

European Research

Council

(ERC) for the support to individual researchers and the

Marie Skłodowska-Curie

Actions

(MSCA) for researcher mobility and training.

FET

has been pioneering Quantum Technologies since the 4

Framework Programme (FP4,

1994-1998).

In the 5

Framework Programme (FP5, 1998-2002) FET launched the first

proactive initiative on the topic, 2 years before DARPA's first quantum initiative. Over these

20 years, FET has made a total investment reaching ~250M€ in EU funding. Investment from

FET has steadily increased over time, reaching 94M€ in FP7 (2007-2013) and demonstrating

an increasing interest in the topic among the research community. Research projects have

covered a wide variety of quantum technologies, including novel sensors, quantum key

distribution (QKD) and qubits. A number of FET coordination and support actions have

further contributed to establish overtime a world class European research community in

Quantum Technologies.

Research into the basic science behind quantum technologies has recently also received much

support from the

ERC,

which in FP7 awarded an estimated ~100 M€ to individual grants

addressing various aspects of quantum computing, sensing and communication. The ERC

portfolio includes notably 3 large 'synergy grants' addressing quantum technologies and

together representing ~35 M€ of funding.

There is also a significant investment in quantum related research topics with the Marie

Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), both as Innovative Training Networks and as Individual

http://qurope.eu/content/qipc-roadmap

See e.g., FET Impact assessment 1994-2004 http://cordis.europa.eu/publication/rcn/200618745_en.html

kom (2016) 0178 - Ingen titel

Fellowships in areas such as quantum computing, quantum information and quantum

photonics (e.g., optical cavity systems and nano-optomechanical quantum systems).

As technology in quantum sensing and communication is maturing, funding is available in

the

Industrial Leadership and Societal Challenges

pillars of H2020. Various parts of the

Horizon 2020 Framework Programme mention specific quantum technologies within the

scope of their workprogramme topics. This is the case notably for components, photonics and

for trust and security.

The

European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP) Joint Undertaking

supported

research on metrology from 2009-2013. Some of this work used devices based on quantum

effects which received ~10 M€ EU funding from 2009-2013. This program has now been

followed by the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR)

initiative in H2020.

A number of European countries have expressed an interest in

launching an ERA-NET Co-

fund initiative in Quantum Technologies

under the FET Work Programme for 2016-2017.

It is expected to mobilise a total of ~30M€ of combined EU and national funding. Already in

2010, a first joint call for research on quantum technologies was conducted by Member

States, with the participation of FR, UK, DE, IT, ES, AT, PL, CH and BE through the

CHISTERA ERA-NET project

NNOVATION IN

UANTUM

ECHNOLOGIES

: N

OW OR

EVER

There is converging evidence from around the globe that the time is ripe to start turning

results from research in Quantum Technologies into commercial applications and products.

For instance, although currently feasible

quantum computers

are still too small (10-20

coupled qubits) to compete with conventional ICT for real-world problems, they have served

to test the basic principles behind quantum computing. Large ICT companies such as Google,

Microsoft, IBM and more recently INTEL have embarked on ambitious developments, which

indicates a real interest to explore the commercial potential of quantum computing while also

securing a 'first mover' advantage over the competition. EU headquartered companies have,

so far, not shown similar levels of interest for investing in such research.

Several

quantum communication

networks are being built or are planned worldwide

(China, which is investing ~85M€ in a QKD network linking Beijing to Shanghai, South

Korea, Japan, US). In Europe, the commercial exploitation of this technology is being led by

start-up companies (SMEs) such as IDQuantique, though also big companies such as Toshiba

are actively field-testing their technology in Europe. Today, this is the most developed

quantum technologies application area, though specific markets remain small (finance,

defence). An active initiative on international standardisation exists, with ETSI industry

specification groups on quantum key distribution and quantum safe cryptography, in which

European, Asian and North American organisations work together.

Quantum sensing and metrology

has attracted interest from EU industry (both smaller

companier such as MuQuans and E2V, and larger companies such as Thales) which sees

immediate potential applications, for example for geological surveys, financial trading market

https://www.euramet.org/research-innovation/empir/

http://www.chistera.eu/

kom (2016) 0178 - Ingen titel

or higher speed network synchronisation. The potential for chip-scale atomic clocks to

support progress in timing and navigation systems is also critical for security (see e.g.,

European SME Spectratime).

A recent survey

shows that

European industry interest in quantum technologies,

from

big companies like Bosch, Siemens, Thales, Safran, ASML, Nokia, Airbus and Alcatel

Lucent,

is growing

though stated plans and ambitions remain modest. High-tech SMEs such

as , Spectratime, E2V, MuQuans and IDQuantique occupy leading positions in their specific

markets. Europe’s key position in global value chains for semiconductors, electronics and

optical industries makes further industry take-up promising.

Several Member States

have recently announced national initiatives to support research and

accelerate innovation into quantum technologies.

The Dutch government has established

the QuTech

Advanced Research Center to accelerate the take-up of results in quantum

technology by industry (135 M€ national funding over 10 years). QuTech has attracted 50M

USD in additional funding from INTEL and receives funding from further private companies.

The UK government, implementing its National Quantum Technologies Programme

, has

recently announced funding of ~270 M€ over 5 years for 4 quantum technology hubs whose

aim is to bring together scientists, engineers and technologists to exploit results from research

into quantum science. In Germany, the government has made research into the "quantum

repeaters" needed for secure long distance communication a priority with 9.5M€ of funding

over 3 years and is funding research in the area of quantum communication and quantum-safe

cryptography within its research framework programme for IT-security. There is also

substantial interest within the German research community for a more encompassing

initiative on Quantum Technologies.

OWARDS A

UROPEAN QUANTUM INDUSTRY

At the European level, the strategy for bringing quantum technologies to market is still

fragmented. It is clear that now is the time for Europe to consolidate its technological lead or

else to see companies from the US and Asia take the most benefit from its commercial

exploitation.

If nothing is done, then Europe risks becoming a

second tier market player

(or market

follower). European industry may develop from local niche markets while US and Asian

competitors may become dominant players, attracting a new generation of European quantum

technology experts away from the EU.

At European level, Horizon 2020 provides many opportunities for companies wishing to push

for innovation from quantum research. The current Horizon 2020 Work Programmes 2016-

2017 promote quantum technologies in relevant call topics under LEIT (e.g. sensors,

measurement, security) and to explore the applicability and usability of quantum technologies

Report from the Quantum Technologies Industry Roundtable organised by the European Commission on

13th of October 2015

http://qutech.nl/about-qutech/

National strategy for quantum technologies: A new era for the UK. Quantum Technologies Strategic Advisory Board, D Delpy (chair), March 2015.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-strategy-for-quantum-technologies

See also C Anton and K S Ranade (eds.) Quantum Technology: from research to application. German

National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering and Union

the

German

Academies

Sciences

and

Humanities.

June

2015.

http://www.akademienunion.de/fileadmin/redaktion/user_upload/Publikationen/Stellungnahmen/3Akad_Stellun

gnahme_Quantentechnologien_EN_final.pdf

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in addressing end-user needs under the Societal Challenge of Secure societies. There are also

opportunities for entrepreneurs and high-tech start-ups through the SME scheme, through

Open Disruptive Innovation and the proof-of-concept and innovation Launchpad topics

within ERC and FET, respectively.

The support for medium-term take-up of specific quantum technologies helps European

industry to stay in the game as a

relevant player in specific markets.

Indeed, there are

examples of innovation from Quantum Technology research taking place already, especially

in quantum sensors, metrology and secure quantum communication

(see Section 4).

However, the start-ups have so far been

slow to grow and are mainly limited to supplying

niche markets

(e.g. finance industry). There are at present no larger supply chains for them

to feed into, neither are there many sizeable opportunities to roll out their technologies and

products within large scale strategic investment projects in Europe.

If we want to achieve

global European industrial leadership in Quantum Technologies,

then an ambitious coordinated strategy to support joint science, engineering and application

work, including IPR, standardisation, market development, training and public procurement

will be needed. Certainly, Europe needs to maintain and strengthen its excellent position in

research, keeping a broad scope and allowing the time it takes to advance basic knowledge

and experimental proof of concept. At the same time, it is absolutely essential that European

industry plays its part to realise the commercial potential of quantum technologies.

The European Commission has initiated a series of dialogues with European industry and

other stakeholders to foster interest and investment

A “Quantum Manifesto”

has been

recently published with the support of academic and industrial stakeholders that call for a

common strategy for Europe to stay at the front of the second Quantum Revolution.

The aim is to converge to a

broadly supported roadmap

that will bootstrap a future world-

class quantum industry in Europe and to gather the necessary commitments for an ambitious

initiative to unlock the full potential of quantum technologies, accelerate their development

and bring commercial products to public and private markets.

What follows are issues that so far have surfaced from these discussions and that could be

addressed by such a roadmap.

5.1. Strengthening scientific leadership

The

European scientific excellence in Quantum Technologies

is beyond doubt (as shown

also by prestigious awards like Nobel Prizes) and should not be lost. There is a tremendous

intellectual strength within European academia that should continue to be supported. At

individual-, group- and consortium levels, calls should stimulate the best to produce the best

research, unrestricted by industrial or political priorities.

The European quantum research community is very well organised and has put much effort

into structuring its work around a common research roadmap. The specific potential of

Workshop on Quantum Technologies and Industry, 6

of May 2015

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/report-workshop-quantum-technologies-and-

industry,

and Quantum Technologies Industry Roundtable 13

of October 2015. Other

dialogues will follow, e.g., hosted by the European Parliament and by the Dutch Presidency

(Jan-June 2016).

http://qurope.eu/manifesto

, published in spring 2016.

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different instruments should be maximally exploited, for instance through a coordinated use

of ERC, FET and MSCA funding. Mobility of students and researchers in Quantum

Technologies will further stimulate a

European backbone of excellence,

covering many

member states.

The

coordination between different national and European research programmes on

quantum technologies

can be improved in order to create a coherent and easy-to-navigate

funding landscape for Quantum Technologies. For instance, the planned ERANET Cofund on

Quantum Technologies (Horizon 2020, FET workprogamme 2016-2017) will allow to better

understand the different programs at national levels, to avoid duplication, exploit synergies,

and to better align joint calls with national or shared priorities.

5.2. From quantum science to quantum engineering

Innovation from Quantum Technologies requires to address not only the scientific challenges

but also the engineering and manufacturing challenges of bringing quantum technologies to

the point of commercial products (referred to as

'quantum engineering').

Specific research

is often needed to achieve demanding levels of quality, precision and reliability (for instance

in materials processing). The skills and experience that are needed for specific realisations in

Quantum Technologies are often residing in a handful of academic laboratories. The

difficulties to transfer and reproduce technical results, tools and software within an industrial

context should be addressed.

Specific

quantum engineering training

should be provided in technical and scientific

curricula for a new generation of technicians, engineers, scientists and application developers

on quantum technologies.

Vocational training

programmes should make sure that industry

has the capacity to absorb the knowledge and skills that will be needed to bring quantum

technologies in-house.

5.3. Market finding and early adopters

Non-technical work is needed that looks to understand the potential benefits of new

technologies and to

identify and clarify markets

for quantum technologies. This will also

bring a greater appreciation of the opportunities and risks that quantum technologies may

create to the companies and individuals that will actually buy, sell or use them. Citizen and

stakeholder engagement will prepare for future uptake of technologies, in ways that make

sense to them.

A strategic approach that aims to cover major technological innovations and application areas

early on can

secure Europe's future innovation potential.

This could be done, for instance

through a systematic survey of, and continuous scouting for the anticipated applications of

novel quantum technologies and by assessing benefits and risks arising from the new

qualities associated with these anticipated applications (an upcoming JRC study is planning

this). There have been attempts to do this, but mostly driven by the technology side whereas

the perspective of end-users and citizens (imagining broad consumer markets for quantum

technology) are largely unexplored.

Support should be made available to link up

procurement by public organisations,

such as

the European Space Agency, European Research Infrastructure, defence and other

government departments, and international organisations to act as early adopters which may

purchase and start to use the new technology. Quantum computing, communication, sensing

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and imaging resources can thus quickly find a relevant and critical user base that, in turn, can

drive the technology forward by

co-design with stakeholders.

At European level,

instruments such as pre-commercial procurement, public procurement of innovation and

projects funding from the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) could serve this

purpose.

5.4. A vibrant innovation ecosystem

So far progress has been driven mainly by publicly funded research and technology push. A

broader innovation eco-system

that includes academia, industry, investors, entrepreneurs

and end-users is not yet in place.

A European-wide mechanism is currently missing to bring academic groups in contact with

companies, put large companies in contact with small ones, and link the future supply chain.

It must also include other sectors, such as private equity and standardisation. This would

stimulate the creation of

networks of people and knowledge flows

beyond academia that

companies can mobilise in an

open innovation

spirit and when needed to support research,

development and innovation efforts.

Cross-over between industry and academia

typically weak and should be encouraged, for instance by a more systematic use of the Marie

Skłodowska-Curie Actions for Research and Innovation Staff Exchange.

The creation of

spin-offs and start-ups

in Quantum technologies should be stimulated.

Given the high-tech physics that is usually involved, such companies face very high initial

and fixed costs (counter to internet Startups, for instance), and require an ongoing investment

in applied research.

Incubation hubs with dedicated technological facilities

may be able to

help companies in their initial stages. Also

partnerships with larger companies

that can

provide access to tools, infrastructure, knowledge and clients should be stimulated.

Access to capital

is a common hurdle for start-ups. In Quantum Technology, where time-to-

market is long and initial markets are likely to be small, 'patient' funding from investors that

can live with high-risk and long-term horizons is needed. Investors also need to be

sufficiently knowledgeable of quantum technologies in order to properly appreciate the

opportunities and risks involved. A specialised

Quantum Innovation Fund

to finance

quantum technology enterprises across the EU may be a solution, just like current investment

funds specialise in specific industries and markets.

There are many opportunities for new as well as existing companies to sell quantum

components and sub-systems at first to the academic market, and then to the growing

quantum industry within

emerging supply chains of quantum enabling technologies.

Examples of such technologies are cryogenic systems, single photon sources and detectors,

entangled photon pair sources, materials (e.g. superconducting junctions), material processing

techniques, quantum algorithms, protocols and software. In the longer term there will be

routine need for miniaturised plug-and-play quantum devices that today require bulky

laboratory setups under carefully controlled conditions. In addition, there are multiple spin

off markets for cutting edge photonic, electronic or opto-mechanical devices.

There are still multiple technological options for achieving some of the most ambitious goals

of quantum technology (for instance, qubit implementation for general purpose quantum

computing). Ways must be found to

involve industry in the filtering, testing and

validation of different options

so that choices made are also industrially and economically

viable. This will also help industry to better understand what is of short, medium and long-

kom (2016) 0178 - Ingen titel

term relevance and thus to orient their own investments and resources while staying aware of

the full spectrum of possibilities. Public-Private partnerships where

resources, risks, results

and rewards are shared

among participating stakeholders could provide concrete platforms

for this. Within established options,

standardisation

will be essential to make supply chains

work. There are ongoing initiatives, for instance within ETSI

, and active involvement of

European industry must be assured.

5.5. Intellectual property

Europe is ahead in publications

related to Quantum Technologies, but it is

patenting less

than its major global competitors, led by the US. In Asia, alongside well established players

such as Japan, new actors are emerging, in particular China, but also South Korea and

Malaysia.

North America leads the ranking in Quantum Computing, with big corporations such as IBM

and more recently Microsoft and Google. Also, D-Wave, a Canadian start-up, is extensively

patenting its know-how to develop its business.

In Quantum Communications, Japanese patenting activities are significant alongside with

those from the US, having been driven consistently by big industrial players such as NEC and

Toshiba. Malaysia with its national ICT research centre (Mimos) and South Korea (with SK

Telecom and Korea Electronics) have also started shaping the patenting landscape, but the

most striking emergence in this field is that of China. In the last five years it has become the

first nation for number of patent applications in Quantum Key Distribution, at the same time

as its quantum backbone link between Beijing and Shanghai is being deployed.

The IP landscape constitutes a

potential vulnerability

for Europe that needs to be addressed.

One could envisage for instance that funding that is being earmarked for Quantum

Technologies comes with a clear and formal obligation to take account of the existing IP

landscape, and to protect and pool intellectual properties for the benefit of European industry

and society. Overall, it can be noted that while there are many scientific publications, the

worldwide patenting activity is still low compared to more mature technology areas,

indicating a need as well as a window of opportunity to develop these emerging markets.

These patterns of publication and patenting activity should be actively traced, as one way to

anticipate global developments in Quantum Technological innovation.

See

for

example

the

ETSI

working

group

Quantum

Safe

Cryptography

(http://www.etsi.org/technologies-clusters/technologies/quantum-safe-cryptography) and on Quantum Key

Distribution (http://www.etsi.org/technologies-clusters/technologies/quantum-key-distribution).