The roadmap identifies barriers on the path to full-scale manufacturing of quantum systems for computing, sensing, and networking.
SRI announced today the release of its Quantum Technology Manufacturing Roadmap (QTMR), a first-of-its-kind effort designed to support the development and manufacture of technology critical to scaling-up of the quantum industry, including quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum telecommunications.
“SRI has long been at the forefront of developing some of the most significant technologies that benefit people’s everyday lives — and helping the world understand the implications of these technologies for society and the global economy,” said David Parekh, Chief Executive Officer of SRI. “I am pleased that SRI, along with our collaborators from industry, government, and academia, are taking a leading role in shaping and shedding light on this emerging field that holds extraordinary promise for our future.”
The document identifies the technology and capability needs critical to supporting the development and manufacture of quantum systems over the next five years. The roadmap considers a wide range of enabling technologies and capabilities, setting specific targets for technical performance. It also addresses non-technology enablers that roadmap participants identified as essential for ongoing progress in technology development. For example, topics like data sharing and the need for greater availability of specific technologies are included.
The roadmap notes that developments in quantum have the potential to affect multiple industries and shift national security capabilities. Private and public entities are investing significant resources into the development and commercialization of QIST technologies, and rapid progress is being made in fields of quantum computing, sensing, and communications. Realizing the full potential of QIST R&D will require development of novel materials, devices, structures, and systems that can be manufactured at scale.
The roadmap was prepared for the National Institute of Standards and Technology Office of Advanced Manufacturing and was led by SRI’s Center for Innovation Strategy and Policy. SRI collaborated with a broad team of industry, national laboratory, and academic collaborators, including members of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), managed by SRI, which aims to enable and grow the quantum industry. QED-C will engage its members from 250 organizations from ~20 countries to develop future editions of the Quantum Technology Manufacturing Roadmap.
“Given the nascency of the quantum industry, suppliers are reluctant to invest in new technology until quantum system developers commit to purchases, and customers are reluctant to commit until they understand what can be reliably supplied,” said Celia Merzbacher, QED-C executive director. “It’s a dilemma for any new industry. Given the complexity of the technologies and systems, the community saw a need to come together to create a roadmap that would accelerate the development of materials and components as well as fabrication and metrology tools and processes. This roadmap brings to light many of today’s challenges and pathways forward.”
“This is an important milestone, and SRI’s work in support of quantum technologies is just beginning,” said Roland Stephen, Executive Director at SRI’s Center for Innovation Strategy and Policy. “SRI is deeply engaged in the quantum ecosystem and the roadmap will allow us to collaborate effectively with strategic partners from around the world to take quantum technologies to scale and secure the quantum manufacturing supply chain.”
