Australian researchers are leading the world in quantum technology, says Australian of the Year Professor Michelle Simmons.

“Our research and partnerships have put us in pole position to drive an industry that will shape the information economy of the 21st century,” she said at the launch of a new national centre of excellence in quantum at the University of NSW (UNSW).

Australia is now at the very forefront of what humans have achieved to date, she said.

The new centre has received $33.7 million in federal funding to continue its development of the world’s first quantum computer in silicon.

Jason Falinski MP, a former graduate of UNSW, opened The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Quantum Computation and Communication Technology in Sydney on Friday.

The centre, led by Professor Simmons, is a global leader in quantum computing research developing quantum processes in silicon and optical platforms that will be linked over secure communication networks.

Professor Simmons is a director of CQC2T, an international collaboration between seven Australian universities and more than 25 partners to form one of the largest combined efforts in quantum computation and communication research in the world.

Technology will provide a strategic advantage

Funded by the Australian Research Council since 2000, the centre now holds 200 researchers and has nodes at the University of Melbourne, Australian National University, RMIT University, University of Technology, Sydney, University of Queensland and Griffith University.

In addition to announcing major breakthroughs in the atomically precise 3D architectures for a large-scale silicon quantum computer, the centre has announced the development of the next generation of photonic microchips that will be the key to developing large-scale photonic quantum computer.

Researchers at the centre are now proposing to implement quantum processors able to run error corrected algorithms and transfer information across networks with absolute security.

The technology developed will provide a strategic advantage in a world where information and information security are of paramount importance.

At the launch, Professor Simmons emphasised the centre’s research achievements and strong global collaborations.

The ongoing success of CQC2T has led to the development of two Australian companies, QuintessenceLabs for secure communication systems and Silicon Quantum Computing for silicon-based quantum computing.

“The commercial success and collaboration across other quantum centres nationally have made Sydney the quantum capital of the world,” said Professor Simmons.

At the opening, Mr Falinski said the funding would allow the centre to build on its strong successes.

“Australia has firmly established itself as a global leader in this 21st century technology – $33.7 million in funding will enable UNSW to continue to build on its world-leading research to develop complex quantum processors that correct errors and transfer information across vast networks with absolute security,” Mr Falinski said.

UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs said the CQC2T researchers were working at the forefront of quantum information technology and innovation, which would lead to significant impacts across the global economy.

“Quantum computing not only has the potential to completely revolutionise the way many of us will work but could create jobs and even new industries we haven’t even imagined yet,” Professor Jacobs said.

“We applaud the ARC’s recognition of CQC2T as a fine example of Australia’s truly world-leading research.”

Director of the CQC2T and Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons, Jason Falinksi MP and the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Research Council, Professor Sue Thomas at the launch in Sydney

Professor Sue Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the ARC, said the CQC2T has had an unparalleled record of success.

“At the ARC, it’s our great privilege to be able to support (this) work and we look forward to the great successes to follow,” Professor Thomas said.

Professor Sue Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the ARC, said the CQC2T has had an unparalleled record of success.

“At the ARC, it’s our great privilege to be able to support (this) work and we look forward to the great successes to follow,” Professor Thomas said.

For more information about the scheme, visit the ARC website.