Britain is emerging as a global leader in quantum computing, with several companies leading this technological revolution, known as the ‘British Quantum Invasion’. Companies like PsiQuantum leverage existing semiconductor manufacturing techniques to build fault-tolerant quantum computers. This technological breakthrough is reshaping the British economy and setting the pace in the global quantum computing landscape.

Key players in this field include Cambridge Quantum Computing (now Quantinuum), Quantum Motion, Riverlane, Phasecraft, and Oxford Quantum Circuits, among others (20 Quantum Companies in the UK). We have also listed more companies helping shape the UK Quantum Economy.

The British Quantum Invasion: A New Era of Technological Breakthroughs

The United Kingdom is emerging as a global powerhouse in the revolutionary field of quantum computing. This article delves into the burgeoning world of quantum computing, focusing on the British Quantum Invasion. We explore the companies at the forefront of this technological renaissance, reshaping the British economy and setting the pace in the global quantum computing landscape.

The United Kingdom is making significant strides in quantum computing, with several companies leading the charge. Like the Beatles of the quantum computing world, these companies are just at the beginning of potentially revolutionizing the British economy and making a global impact.

“Tomorrow’s technology will reflect the people who build it today, and the future we build will reflect the people who build it today.“

– Ilana Wisby, CEO of OQC

“Together, Microsoft and Quantinuum have demonstrated the most reliable qubits on record.“

– Microsoft on their recent collaboration.

PsiQuantum, a startup that aims to build a fault-tolerant quantum computer using silicon photonics, leverages existing semiconductor manufacturing techniques, potentially enabling the production of quantum computers on a large scale. PsiQuantum began life in the UK, moved to the US, and raised a massive Venture Capital round of over $400M. But it is now back in Britain in some capacity with its new facility in Hartree Centre. A new collaboration with the STFC Hartree Centre aims to cultivate practical industrial applications in preparation for the advent of large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC), now Quantinuum, focuses on developing quantum software and algorithms, which is critical as the power of quantum computers can only be harnessed with the right software. As the name suggests, it began life in Cambridge but is now named Quantinuum, a venture with the US giant Honeywell.

Quantum Motion, a spinout from Oxford and London’s UCL is working on qubit scalability. Their technology aims to use silicon-based qubits, similar to those in conventional computers, to make quantum computers more accessible and scalable. Silicon-based qubits employ the same material as traditional computer chips, which could greatly simplify the integration of quantum computing with existing semiconductor technologies.

Using silicon allows for applying advanced microfabrication techniques to quantum computing, potentially enabling the production of quantum chips with the same efficiency and scalability as classical silicon chips. This approach aims to leverage the robust infrastructure already in place for silicon chip manufacturing and reduces the barrier to the widespread adoption of quantum computing technologies.

Riverlane, another Cambridge-based company, is developing a quantum operating system to harness the power of quantum computers for various applications. This OS (Deltaflow.OS) is crucial for managing the quantum computer’s resources efficiently, including the allocation and control of qubits, execution of quantum circuits, and error correction protocols. Riverlane’s development focuses on optimizing these functions to maximize the performance and usability of quantum computers across different industries.

Phasecraft is working on reducing the resources required for quantum computations, thereby making quantum computers more efficient. Phasecraft is a cutting-edge company that is actively working to optimize the resource efficiency of quantum computers. Their research and innovations are focused on reducing the quantum resources necessary to perform computations, which is a critical step toward making quantum computing more accessible and practical for widespread use.

The Quantum Revolution: How UK Companies are Changing the Global Landscape

The UK is not just a participant in the quantum computing race; it is a key player, with its companies making significant contributions to the global quantum landscape.

Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC), founded by Professor Peter and Ilana Wisby (CEO), is developing a quantum computer based on a superconducting circuit approach to forming qubits. This approach allows for the control of quantum states, enabling the manipulation of quantum bits.

Superconducting circuits developed at OQC utilize materials that can carry electrical current without resistance when cooled to extremely low temperatures. Electrical currents can circulate indefinitely at these temperatures, making superconductors an ideal platform for creating qubits. Qubits made from superconducting circuits are typically designed using microscopic loops of superconducting wire that can simultaneously support currents flowing in both directions, a quantum phenomenon known as superposition.

Quantum Dice is developing a quantum random number generator, a technology based on the inherent unpredictability of quantum mechanics, which can provide a higher level of security in cryptographic applications.

At the heart of Quantum Dice’s technology is the principle that fundamental processes at the quantum level—like the behavior of electrons and photons—are inherently probabilistic. Unlike classical random number generators, which can suffer from predictability due to their reliance on deterministic processes, QRNGs use these quantum phenomena to produce theoretically impossible randomness to predict or replicate.

Nu Quantum is working on quantum photonics and developing single-photon sources and detectors, critical components for quantum communication systems. The single-photon sources developed by Nu Quantum are designed to emit light particles one at a time. This capability is crucial for quantum key distribution (QKD), a method for secure communication that uses quantum mechanics to enable the secure exchange of encryption keys. Single-photon detectors complement these sources by accurately detecting these photons at the receiving end of the communication channel, ensuring the integrity and security of the data transmitted.

Rahko, a company harnessing the power of quantum computing for chemical simulations, could revolutionize the design of new materials and drugs. Rahko is a dynamic company leveraging quantum computing to transform the field of chemical simulations. This innovative approach could significantly impact the development of new materials and pharmaceuticals, offering unprecedented accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional computational methods. Rahko was founded in 2018 and was acquired by Odyssey Therapeutics.

Universal Quantum is working on a new qubit (ion trap) type that could scale up to millions of qubits, a critical step in realizing quantum computing’s full potential. Ion traps utilize electromagnetic fields to capture and isolate charged atoms (ions) in a vacuum. Each ion used in the trap acts as a qubit. Qubits in ion traps are manipulated using lasers to perform quantum operations. This method is known for its high fidelity and relatively long coherence times—essential for practical quantum computing. Universal Quantum’s technology enhances these ion traps to facilitate large-scale operations and integration into practical quantum systems.

These companies, and many others in the UK, are not just participating in the quantum revolution; they are leading it. Their innovative approaches and groundbreaking technologies are reshaping the British economy and changing the global landscape of quantum computing. We didn’t list everything happening in Quantum Britain, but we hope this has provided a flavor of what this tremendously innovative island is developing.