Eight research institutions have signed a letter of intent regarding joint work on quantum research development. This umbrella initiative will cover all manner of activities carried out at a number of scientific centres in Poland. Additionally, researchers expect assistance from both national and regional government as well as establishment of a long term quantum research programme similar to ones that can be found in other countries.
Quantum technologies can be the gateway to breakthroughs in medicine, metrology, robotics, telecommunications and cybersecurity, banking as well as complex system simulations. It is one of the most heavily funded branches of contemporary science. American research centres and technological corporations are focused on building a quantum computer that would dwarf the currently used devices in terms of computing power. Meanwhile, in Europe, researches are investigating quantum sensors and communication.
In November 2018, the European Union initiated the ten-year Quantum Technologies Flagship Programme with the funding of over one billion euro in order to ensure that Europe has a leading position in quantum technologies. ‘Quantum physics opens completely new technological perspectives, a fact that is obvious to every superpower in the world. The winner of this race will gain a tremendous advantage and great socio-economic benefits’, said Prof. Marek Kuś from the Centre for Theoretical Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, a member of the Strategic Advisory Committee of Quantum Technologies Flagship.
Not much later, US Congress has approved the National Quantum Initiative Act. Making use of the incredible potential of quantum technologies is a great opportunity for US economy and national security; therefore, quantum research is funded at the federal level and supervised by the White House National Quantum Coordination Office.
Individual European countries have also decided to undertake similar measures. In July 2020, the German minister of research announced that two billion euro from the German pandemic recovery fund will be devoted to building an experimental quantum computer. In January 2021, French president Emmanuel Macron said that quantum technologies are ‘a key to the future which France absolutely needs to have in its hands’. He declared that in the next five years, France will dedicate 1.8 billion euro to the development of quantum technologies.
Representatives of Polish government have also announced their interest in quantum research development. In July 2019, the Minister of Science and Higher Education signed a declaration regarding Poland’s access to the EuroQCI network, which will enable European countries to communicate with maximum security.
Scientific collaboration
The letter of intent was signed in the last week of January by a number of Polish scientific institutions, including the University of Warsaw, University of Gdańsk, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and Wrocław University of Technology.
Polish researchers have a great deal of accomplishment regarding the theoretical basis for quantum technologies. Scientists at the University of Gdańsk have laid the groundwork for quantum entanglement studies as early as the 1990s. Warsaw and Kraków have a long tradition of studying quantum optics, which is the basis for many current studies on novel methods of communication, detection, metrology and imaging. Researchers from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń are currently working on extremely precise atomic clocks which could be used in space-borne navigation.
‘The Jagiellonian University has been involved in studying quantum technologies for many years, collaborating with leading international centres. A research team led by Prof. Karol Życzkowski is focused on research projects in the area of quantum information and quantum computing. At the same time, Prof. Jakub Zakrzewski is investigating quantum simulators’, said Prof. Krzysztof Sacha from the JU Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, whose research group is studying time crystals.
According to Prof. Marek Żukowski from the University of Gdańsk, signing a letter of intent is a chance to form a strong alliance that will play an important role in European research. ‘A scientific consortium could be helpful in coordinating the work on the national level as well as negotiating with business partners, who are becoming increasingly aware of the opportunities offered by quantum technologies. Our community should have a strong, unified voice when it comes to entering a dialogue with state institutions’, said Prof. Żukowski.
Prof. Żukowski is the head of the International Centre for Theory of Quantum Technologies of the University of Gdańsk. It was established in collaboration with the Austrian Academy of Sciences Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information within the framework of the International Research Agendas programme. Similarly, the University of Warsaw Centre of Optical Quantum Technologies, led by Prof. Konrad Banaszek, is working jointly with the University of Oxford. Furthermore, Prof. Marek Kuś’s team at the Polish Academy of Sciences Centre for Theoretical Physics is currently realising a TEAM-NET grant entitled Quantum computers in the near future: challenges, optimal implementations and practical applications.
Relationships with industry
In their search for new ways of utilising quantum technologies, researchers from Toruń and Gdańsk are cooperating with Syderal Polska, a company that provides hardware and software solutions for space industry. Scientists from Warsaw are working with EXATEL, a telecommunications company that provides services for the largest public sector institutions.
When it comes to technological sovereignty, protecting networks from quantum technology cyberattacks may prove to be a serious challenge in the near future. ‘Quantum optics can be used in various ways to improve digital communication and cybersecurity; for instance, there’s quantum cryptography’, said Dr hab. Teodor Buchner from Warsaw University of Technology, an expert responsible for research and development at EXATEL.
EXATEL has just introduced its first solution, TAMA, which is a tool used to prevent DDoS attacks. The company is also working on its own communications projects. ‘Implementing solutions in the area of cybersecurity and digital communication that have been developed in collaboration with the scientific community does not only increase a company’s competitiveness, but also offers new possibilities of advancement for Polish optoelectronics and space industry’, added Dr hab. Buchner.
The die is not yet cast
States that are quick to invest in quantum research stand to gain much in the coming years. ‘All of our scientific centres have a great potential, proven by the long list of projects, publications, awards, patents, business contracts and other achievements. However, this is difficult to maintain in between grants’, said Dr Banaszek. Therefore, researchers believe that government support is a vital element in this endeavour, in particular in establishing a national quantum technology development programme, similar to the ones introduced by other countries.
