Quantum leaps towards new technology in the Finnish Quantum Flagship
The Research Council of Finland announced at the end of 2023 that the Finnish Quantum Flagship is included in the Flagship Programme. The Flagship brings together national top expertise in quantum technology in the fields of physics, information technology, mathematics, nanotechnology, and economics, with the aim of reinforcing and expanding the national network of quantum technology.
The Flagship is led by Aalto University. Members of the consortium include the Universities of Jyväskylä, Helsinki, Tampere, and Oulu as well as VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and CSC – IT Center for Science.
At the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥, the researcher in charge is Professor Tero Heikkilä from the Department of Physics and the Nanoscience Center.
Finland has excellent quantum expertise
The Finnish Quantum Flagship promotes the development of quantum technology in Finland. The Flagship diversifies the cooperation between research teams in this field, especially for research related to quantum materials, devices and information. In addition, it supports the commercial utilisation of these technologies.
The Flagship reinforces and expands the national ecosystem in this field, since it includes 43 research teams with about 550 researchers working in Finland.
Joint efforts increase the impact of research and promote the creation of new innovations and enterprises.
“At the same time, we seek to broaden public understanding of the opportunities and potential of quantum technology", says Professor Tero Heikkilä from the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥.
Research boosts quantum materials and computers
The main aim of the Flagship is to promote quantum technologies through research. Top-level research and interdisciplinary impacts create a strong basis for technological development. Broad-based research expertise in quantum materials, devices and information are combined with the development of applications and strong competence in technology transfer.
The Research Council of Finland will fund the Finnish quantum flagships over two four-year periods.
Some successes in research during the Flagship scheme could include: |
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More efficient use of quantum computers A new route to error correction in quantum computing and new computing algorithms would enable more efficient use of quantum computers in the near future. |
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The first step towards a quantum Internet A microwave-to-optical transducer working on the level of individual photons would make it possible to interconnect quantum processors by optical links. This would be the first step towards a quantum Internet. |
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Quantum materials Quantum materials research provides new knowledge of modification possibilities for the electronic properties of materials in different settings. Quantum materials can also serve as a workbench for quantum computing. |
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The development of quantum sensors The development of quantum sensors contributing to new technology and science. |
Along with these advancements, the Finnish Quantum Flagship can become one of the most significant quantum technology centres in the world, surpassing its main rivals such as Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology in Sweden, the Quantum Valley in Munich, or the Quantum Delta in the Netherlands.
The Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ has long traditions in quantum technology
The Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ is a pioneer in many fields of quantum technology, especially in the field of superconducting quantum devices and in low-temperature physics. The Finnish Quantum Flagship includes seven JYU-based research teams.
Their research is focused on:
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the properties of quantum materials, Professor Tero Heikkilä and Assistant Professor Shawulienu Kezilebieke with their groups
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quantum sensors, Professor Ilari Maasilta with his group
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silicon-based hybrid quantum devices, Professor Juha Muhonen with his group
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quantum simulation algorithms Professor Robert van Leeuwen with his group
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research into identifying bottlenecks in adapting quantum technology to industry operations, Associate Professor Joel Mero with his group
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the technological possibilities of quantum information and quantum computing, Professor Teiko Heinosaari with his group
Education for quantum technology
In addition, the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ is strongly involved in educational development in the field, for example, along with the online course “The ABCs of Quantum Computing†led by Professor Teiko Heinosaari from the Faculty of Information Technology. Part A of the course has been launched for Jyväskylä students in January 2024. The Flagship enables development of Parts B and C.
Quantum technology education also recently received important support from the Ministry of Education and Culture, which recently granted universities in several research fields a total of 255 million euros in funding to pilot new practices in doctoral education between 2024 and 2027. The pilot will train 17 doctoral students at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥.
“The lack of skilled people may well become an impediment for the development of the quantum field, and for this reason we need to invest even more in broad-based education,†Heikkilä points out.
It is also important to develop science education together with the large group of experts involved In the Flagship, so that we can bring together educational institutions, visiting researchers, and citizens and students interested in quantum technology.
Corporate cooperation
In business and industry, there is widespread interest in quantum technologies, because quantum phenomena offer possibilities to solve many of the challenges facing humankind.
Many Finnish companies are already making quantum technology hardware and software products. It is important to invest increasingly in the development of innovations in the quantum field as well as in the commercialisation of research outcomes. The research groups involved in the Flagship are working in close cooperation with various companies, such as the Finnish spin-off enterprises of Flagship universities Bluefors, IQM and SemiQon.
The infrastructure is constantly being developed.
History shows that basic research is a key to technological development and thereby to transition in society. In practice, the transition is ultimately brought about by the industry.
“Universities have here two important roles: producing new research knowledge and communicating it to industry,†he continues. “The best way to deliver knowledge is to educate skilled professionals. The Finnish Quantum Flagship seeks to fulfil both roles and thereby promote Finnish industrial life. At the same time, this field attracts new skilled professionalsâ€, Heikkilä says.
Flagship projects of the Research Council of Finland are concentrations of expertise which combine high-quality research and diverse scientific and societal effectiveness along with strong cooperation with companies and other members of society.
