Verification of Quantum Technology

Future information and communication networks will certainly consist of both classical and quantum devices, some of which are expected to be dishonest, with various degrees of functionality, ranging from simple routers to servers executing quantum algorithms. The realisation of such a complex network of classical and quantum communication must rely on a solid theoretical foundation that, nevertheless, is able to foresee and handle the intricacies of real-life implementations. The study of security, efficiency and verification of quantum communication and computation is inherently related to the fundamental notions of quantum mechanics, including entanglement and non-locality, as well as to central notions in classical complexity theory and cryptography.

The central Research objective of our proposal is an end to end investigation of the verification and validation of quantum technologies, from full scale quantum computers and simulators to communication networks with devices of varying size and complexity down to realistic ``quantum gadgets". This goal represents a key challenge in the transition from theory to practice for quantum computing technologies.

We will work closely with experimentalists and engineers to ensure that theoretical progress takes Development considerations into account, and will design prototypes for proof-of-principle demonstrations of our methods. The experimental aspects of our proposal are supported by the PI's associate directorial position at the Oxford led hub, joint projects with the York led hub as well as other ongoing collaborations with experimental labs in France and Austria. Meanwhile the required expertise in engineering design would be supported through a new collaboration of the PI as part of the Edinburgh Li-Fi research and development centre.

The Deployment axis, complementing our core activity in research-development, will be built upon the unique Edinburgh entrepreneurial culture supported by Informatics Ventures as well as a dedicated senior business advisory board (which sponsored the PI's recent patent on quantum cloud). Advances to the problem of secure delegated computation would have an immediate significant consequence on how computational problems are solved in the real world. One can envision virtually unlimited computational power to end users on the go, using just a simple terminal to access the computing cloud which would turn any smartphone into a quantum-enhanced phone. This will generate new streams of growth for the UK cyber security sector as well as complementary business developments for the National quantum technology investment.

Our approach to de-risking quantum technology initially developed within experimental labs will be eventually complemented with industrial involvement. Aligned with the global vision of the UK national investment in quantum technology, this project aims at translating fundamental knowledge obtained over the last three decades to the next era of business prosperity. We go in fact one step ahead and aim to prepare the ground for the transformation of the results obtained within the quantum hubs for the end users. Our targeted beneficiaries are hence various stakeholders in this transition era. The aim is to understand how users desired certification could be implemented within our development efforts at the experimental labs. Supported by Informatics Ventures and the business developers of the School of Informatics (with dedicated staff to this project) we are setting up a series of pilot projects with leading UK companies to establish an expert community within the industry sectors as authorities for the evaluation, certification and verification ready to engage when scalable quantum computing devices become available (such as the one to be developed within the Oxford hub).

As our joint experience with the technology improves and users' confidence increases, we plan to build up concrete revenues from external sources. This would be based on the success of our ultimate product development of a quantum-enhanced cloud infrastructure with Oxford hub providing the computation services of the server while the York hub will develop the communication network between clients. Initially we will proceed with developing IP to attract eventual external investment. We plan to build on Informatics Ventures' track record of industry partnership to generate most of this from the UK companies.

Complementary to the above is our outreach and training program, as well as responsible innovation research activity, essential for achieving the long-term vision of trusted quantum technology deployment. Our targeted dissemination programme will include regular attendance and presentation at exhibitions and conferences as well as organising advanced workshops and summer schools on quantum verification and quantum cloud, within various community that the PI has already founded such as QUISCO (see more details in Pathway to Impact). In addition, the PI is in the process of developing a specialised online quantum applications program within Virtual University of Edinburgh online program (Vue) to train the next generation of technicians for testing and employing quantum devices across the UK.