The next generation of quantum technologies holds immense potential for innovation in our economy, society as well as many industries and is highly important for Germany and Europe. Entirely new and unexplored solutions could unfold for improving efficiency, sustainability, security, telecommunication, computation and medicine, for example. Fraunhofer is an essential partner of the European industry and, at the same time, acts as an integrator and multiplier of disruptive technology leaps. As such, we are committed to the efficient and sustainable transfer of scientific knowledge into applications for the benefit of society - which is why new quantum technologies represent an important research field in our portfolio. In this book, Fraunhofer presents its knowledge and experience on quantum technology innovations in the areas of sensing, imaging, communication and computing, as well as their scientific foundations and applications.
The next generation of quantum technologies holds immense potential for innovation in our economy, society as well as many industries and is highly important for Germany and Europe. Entirely new and unexplored solutions could unfold for improving efficiency, sustainability, security, telecommunication, computation and medicine, for example. Fraunhofer is an essential partner of the European industry and, at the same time, acts as an integrator and multiplier of disruptive technology leaps. As such, we are committed to the efficient and sustainable transfer of scientific knowledge into applications for the benefit of society - which is why new quantum technologies represent an important research field in our portfolio. In this book, Fraunhofer presents its knowledge and experience on quantum technology innovations in the areas of sensing, imaging, communication and computing, as well as their scientific foundations and applications.
Given the European and global context, the international scientific and technological competition, there are challenges that our society, where the exchange of information is omnipresent, must meet. These are the issues regarding quantum technologies. The countries which master them will have an undeniable strategic advantage in the fields of molecular medicine, new materials, carbon dioxide storage, etc. States, industrial giants, private and academic research consortia are investing massively in fundamental research or breakthrough innovation projects in the communication, computing, simulation, cryptography, metrology and other sectors. quantum sensors. This non-exhaustive article comments on economic and societal issues, describes the state of research, etc. It presents some reminders of quantum mechanics, necessary elements of technology and presents some current and future applications. It offers elements of foresight. Images or figures are the property of their authors cited as the source. For more information, bibliographical references and links to the websites of organizations and institutions are provided.
Quantum technologies are increasingly recognized as a disruptive frontier that will shape the next generation of industrial strategies. Developments in quantum computing, communication, and sensing promise not only technical breakthroughs but also significant economic and geopolitical consequences. Quantum computing can accelerate drug discovery, materials research, and complex optimization, while quantum communication opens new possibilities for secure data transfer beyond the reach of classical encryption. According to European Commission Reports and National Quantum Initiative Act, leading economies are already investing heavily: the European Union has committed over €1 billion to its Quantum Flagship program, while the United States launched the National Quantum Initiative Act in 2018 to coordinate research and industrial applications. These initiatives underscore the strategic nature of the field. For industrial policy, they also raise important questions: How should governments design roadmaps that foster public–private collaboration? What forms of regulation or incentives are needed to align innovation with competitiveness and security? At the same time, quantum technologies could support sustainability goals, for example through energy-efficient algorithms and advanced climate modeling. Positioning quantum technologies not only as an enabler but as a driver of future industrial policy is essential. Unlike incremental innovations, quantum breakthroughs will actively shape the direction of national strategies, global competitiveness, and sustainability agendas. Recognizing this driver role ensures that policymakers and industries move beyond adaptation, taking a proactive stance in designing resilient and forward-looking industrial ecosystems.
Quantum Computing The twenty-first century has witnessed remarkable advancements in computing technologies, transforming every aspect of modern society. As conventional computing systems approach their physical and computational limits, the search for new paradigms capable of solving increasingly complex problems has led to the emergence of Quantum Computing. By harnessing the principles of quantum mechanics, quantum computing represents a revolutionary approach that has the potential to redefine computation, communication, and information processing on an unprecedented scale. Quantum Computing is designed to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the concepts, principles, technologies, and applications that form the foundation of this rapidly evolving field. This book aims to bridge the gap between theoretical quantum mechanics and practical computational applications, enabling students, researchers, academicians, and professionals to explore the transformative potential of quantum technologies. The chapters in this book cover a broad spectrum of topics, including the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, quantum bits (qubits), quantum gates, superposition, entanglement, quantum circuits, quantum algorithms, quantum cryptography, quantum communication, and quantum error correction. The book also explores the architecture of quantum computers and examines the challenges involved in building scalable and fault-tolerant quantum systems. As industries increasingly seek innovative solutions to complex computational problems, quantum computing is emerging as a promising technology with applications in cryptography, artificial intelligence, machine learning, optimization, financial modeling, healthcare, pharmaceutical research, materials science, logistics, and climate modeling. The ability of quantum computers to process vast amounts of information simultaneously offers opportunities that were previously beyond the reach of classical computing systems. Special attention has been given to contemporary developments in quantum technologies, including quantum supremacy, hybrid quantum-classical computing, cloud-based quantum platforms, and the growing role of quantum computing in scientific discovery and industrial innovation. The book also discusses ethical, security, and societal implications associated with the advancement of quantum technologies. The primary objective of this book is to equip readers with both foundational knowledge and practical insights into the field of quantum computing. Through a balanced presentation of theory, applications, case studies, and emerging research trends, the book seeks to inspire curiosity, innovation, and further exploration in this transformative domain. We extend our sincere gratitude to the authors, reviewers, researchers, academicians, and industry experts whose valuable contributions have enriched the quality and relevance of this publication. Their dedication and expertise have helped create a resource that reflects the latest developments and future possibilities of quantum computing. We hope that Quantum Computing will serve as a valuable guide for students, educators, researchers, and technology professionals seeking to understand the next frontier of computational science. May this book inspire new ideas, foster innovation, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in one of the most exciting technological revolutions of our time. Mr. M. Rajeshkumar Dr. R. Mariappan Mr. E.Janakiraman,
As the first applications leap out of research laboratories toward commercialization, the global race for dominance in the maturing field of quantum technologies is becoming ever fiercer. To retain its historical lead and kick-start a continent-wide quantum-driven industry and accelerate market take-up, Europe has launched the Quantum Flagship, an ambitious €1 billion, 10 year endeavor. This article provides an overview of the underlying considerations and the current state of the initiative. Furthermore, it briefly presents the 20 projects selected to be at the core of the ramp-up phase of the initiative, which will address core applications of quantum technologies such as communications, computing, simulation, as well as sensing and metrology, all of which are supported by basic science. Finally, we present the broader ecosystem of European funding instruments and institutions which aim to create the next generation of disruptive technologies within quantum sciences, placing Europe as a worldwide knowledge-based industrial and technological leader in this innovative field.
There are signs that we are approaching a technical revolution that might take humankind’s computational capabilities to a new level. Quantum Computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, enabling the computational power to solve specific problems currently intractable for classical computers (e.g., cracking cryptographic keys). Since we are getting to a point where we can no longer build smaller, more powerful, more efficient devices with conventional methodologies, we need to think of new ways for technological progress. The manufacturing of microchips is reaching its limits in the use of traditional architectures. Hence, new and more advanced technologies need to address the challenges of increasing energy consumption and data processing. Connectivity, scalable architectures and concepts like Cloud Computing and Software-as-a-Service have already helped to scale computational-intense applications in the last years and have attracted the interest of IS researchers (e.g., Benlian et al. 2009 ; Benlian et al. 2018 ; Messerschmidt and Hinz 2013 ). Looking ahead to the next generation, computing will comprise technologies that enable high-performance applications far beyond today’s possibilities. One prominent example with a disruptive potential is Quantum Computing. While there are abundant open questions and directions for further developments, researchers in this area have made substantial progress in the last decade, indicating that, after medical imaging, lasers, and superconductors, another quantum-technological innovation might be approaching. We, therefore, intend to provide an overview of the current state of Quantum Computing research and outline how this new technology might stimulate research in Information Systems.
Quantum computing is a novel method of computation that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to handle highly challenging situations in a very short amount of time. Quantum technology has the ability to significantly impact worldwide advancement, even prior to the complete deployment of quantum machines. Quantum technology for communication, computation, and sensors has the capacity to revolutionise many industries, and several nations are making investments in this promising field. This includes research investments from both the public and commercial sectors. This article delves into the recent quantum computing advancements and the potential opportunities made possible by quantum technology in the next few decades. We outline a vision and scientific innovation for embracing the quantum age, as well as explore the pioneering applications of quantum computing. We also highlight software tools and platforms for quantum programming to unlock the power of computing and revolutionize the world. Finally, we identify the groundbreaking impacts of quantum computing on next-generation research and discuss the benefits of unleashing its revolutionary capabilities.