Quantum innovation at Simon Fraser University has taken a big leap since the university received $4.3 million in government funding a year ago.
In that time, the investment has enabled the team at SFU's Quantum Fabrication Centre to upgrade its facilities, boosting the work of researchers and companies using the centre, while also supporting the development of the quantum industry in British Columbia.
The centre, located within SFU's 4D LABS, now boasts new equipment to fabricate quantum devices. These tools enable faster patterning, cleaner deposition, better etching and improved packaging of nanofabricated devices.
Nathanael Sieb, director of operations and administration at 4D LABS, says: "The new equipment that has come in so far has really helped to advance quantum fabrication.
"Research and development cycles are now faster and more efficient thanks to the cutting-edge technology that we have here now. This will help keep the lab at the forefront of quantum fabrication for years to come."
The new tools enable faster patterning, cleaner deposition, better etching and improved packaging of nanofabricated devices.
One major benefit of having improved facilities is that companies using the centre do not need to spend significant amounts of money on building their own facility.
Instead, the flexible working model allows them to invest in staff and business development, which in turn helps to increase opportunities for jobs and investment within the quantum sector in B.C.
"Nurturing talent, creating jobs, growing companies, this investment is really important in helping to build a complete quantum ecosystem in B.C.," adds Sieb.
Quantum fabrication uses techniques and processes to make devices that have special properties or functions at the quantum scale.
For example, one of the companies using the Quantum Fabrication Centre is Photonic. The company is using silicon chips to create their T centre qubits. These chips are used to power their quantum systems and house their T centres.
Photonic, which recently announced plans for a new U.K. research facility, is seeking to build the world's first scalable, fault-tolerant networked quantum computer.
"At scale, quantum computers will be extremely powerful when applied to certain classes of problems that classical computers aren't able to solve," says Stephanie Simmons, associate professor at SFU's Department of Physics, and founder and chief quantum officer at Photonic.
"Some of the best-known applications where commercial-scale quantum computers will be able to unlock huge advances include material sciences, drug discovery, and catalyst development for things like batteries and alternative fuels.
"Quantum calculations are essential for accurately modeling certain chemical interactions, so advancing this frontier will provide powerful new tools, creating innovative design possibilities and approaches to problem-solving."
The improved equipment at 4D LABS has enabled Photonic's engineers to speed up research and development cycles.
"There are no available off the shelf' versions of the technology we're building, and it's complicated, with a lot of different systems needing to work together," explains Simmons.
"This means there are a whole lot of different components that we're adjusting, improving, fine tuning, and integrating as we go. We're running small batches or one-off versions of some of our chips.
"For this reason, high chip throughput is critical, and having to build our own facility from scratch would be expensive - not to mention time consuming. Being able to work in the shared facility, with the necessary equipment helps us generate exactly what we need when we need it, allowing us to move further, faster."
The shared facility has enabled Photonic to grow its team working at 4D LABS over the past five years, as well as invest in the next generation of quantum talent.
"There is a reciprocity that makes this relationship a win-win. We benefit from access to the facility, but I think it is equally important that we're training the next generation of quantum talent with applicable skills, and access to cutting edge facilities," says Simmons.
"Exposure to the knowledge and the equipment that supports the production of components for quantum computers helps make the point that these types of products are not just produced in far off places by other people.
"We are creating opportunities for our own students to gain experience, and understand that they can apply these skills here, as we build a strong quantum community right here in B.C."
