Together we go faster: the Netherlands is at the forefront of quantum technology

(photo: QuTech)

“As a country, we want to pioneer in the field of quantum technology.” These are the words of Dr. Kees Eijkel, director of business development at the QuTech Institute, a collaboration between TU Delft and TNO. Eijkel will provide the welcome speech during the RF Technology Event on March 29, together with his colleague Jesse Robbers from Quantum Delta NL. Although the event highlights the broad spectrum of radio frequency, quantum computing is a common thread throughout the program. And that is not surprising because quantum computing is “hot”, according to Eijkel.

“I sometimes compare the phase we are in now with quantum computing with the phase the Wright brothers, the inventors of the airplane, were in in 1900. In October of that year they flew over the continent for the first time with a rickety self-built glider. beach. They did not get further than 150 meters. The design was not yet good enough to make longer trips and needed years of tinkering. But Messrs. Wright had a mission. They knew they were about to create something big that would change the world forever.”

Mission

“It is the same with quantum computing,” Eijkel continues. “At QuTech we are also focused on a mission: the future of IT. Quantum computers have enormous exponential computing power that will change the computing landscape and our society forever. We are building an untapping quantum internet based on quantum technology. The laws of nature preclude eavesdropping on communications. The first prototypes of quantum computers, the so-called proof of concept (POC), are ready and in use. But we are far from there yet.”

Complex devices

These POCs that Eijkel talks about are enormous, complex devices that QuTech can only keep in the air with specialists. “It will take at least ten to fifteen years before we have a fully functioning quantum computer,” Eijkel continues. “To continue with the Wright brothers' metaphor, we can make a 'flight' of 500 feet right now, but we are not yet ready to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.”

Pride

Eijkel is proud that the Netherlands occupies a leading position internationally in the development of the possible successor to supercomputers. “We show that it is possible and that it is not just a scientific theory. The thinking phase is behind us, but we still have to solve many difficult system problems to get a usable computer.”

Three QuTech engineers are working on a POC (photo Pim Top for QuTech)

From Delft to Beijing

To achieve this goal, QuTech collaborates internationally with scientists and industrial partners. “Quantum technology also has a geopolitical side,” Eijkel explains. “The European Union, the United States and China are all working on their own POCs. Technology is increasingly of strategic importance. We build the technology together. We can't do it alone. We go faster together, but we do take geopolitical reality into account.”

Young talent

QuTech's collaboration partners are diverse. Eijkel: “Our contacts range from universities, RTOs and multinationals such as Microsoft, Intel or Fujitsu to small innovative startups.” Eijkel is particularly fond of the latter group. “I have always worked at the intersection of science and entrepreneurship. I feel one drive to create an environment from which companies are born. I also see so much (young) talent and enthusiasm within QuTech. A number of colleagues have started successful projects from QuTech itself spinouts which you will also encounter at the RF Technology Event.”

Join

The most important message that Eijkel wants to convey to visitors to RF Technology is: “Get involved! Make sure you don't miss the boat. Quantum technology is developing rapidly. Don't think: 'it will take a while' because then you will be too late.”

Would you like Kees Eijkel and other RF experts? live hear speak? Register now free of charge for the RF Technology Event on March 29, 2022 in the QuTech building of TU Delft.
https://fhi.nl/rftechnologydays/