Top Universities in UK for Quantum Computation

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
3 replies · 4K views
Amith2006
Messages
416
Reaction score
2
I hope to pursue a research career in Quantum computation. Could anyone suggest some good universities in UK where active research is going on in this field?Any information is most welcome.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
First of all, Quantum computing is not really an area, it is more a "theme" which includes related work in many different fields:quantum optics, NMR, ion traps, superconductivity, computer science etc.
Hence, working on "quantum computing" can mean anything from coming up with new algorithms (computer science/math) to fabricating structures in a cleanroom.

Secondly, unfortunately you picked the wrong country. There is almost no serious work on QC in the UK. There are a few groups (e.g. an algorithms group in Cambridge) that work on QC and related areas but most of it is just "spin off" work resulting from other activities (i.e. "we have a new device and one possible application might be in QC").
The reason for this is that it was decided a few years ago that UK should NOT pursue QC but focus on other quantum technologies such as quantum cryptography (where there is quite a lot of work going on) instead. Hence, it has been virtually impossible to get any QC related work funded over the past few years.
If you really want to work on quantum computing you should go to the US (where I would guess 90% of the work is done), other countries to consider are Canada, Australia and Japan.
 
Just got caught up with my exams. Thanx buddy.
 
Oxford and Sussex both have labs working on Quantum Ion Trap computers, maybe check them out?