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Quantum Technology

Physics

Quantum Technology is a term to describe electronic materials and devices, where effects caused by the quantum nature of matter become significant in their design and performance.

Quantum Technology is a term to describe electronic materials and devices, where effects caused by the quantum nature of matter become significant in their design and performance. Lancaster Quantum Technology Centre (QTC) provides a UK focus for future quantum technologies and is based in Lancaster University’s Physics Department, a working community of 145 researchers and 80 students.

Download the QTC factsheet

Collaborative Research and Consultancy

Our research is ranked top in the UK for Research Quality (The Times Good University Guide 2011). Our unique expertise and multi-million pound facilities enable the translation of quantum technologies into new products and processes to revolutionise the electronics, medicine, energy and computing industries.

Access Expertise

  • Accelerator science
  • Biophotonics
  • Low temperature physics
  • Nanoscale dynamics and mathematical physics
  • Nanoscale engineering
  • Semiconductor physics and nanostructures
  • Superconductors
  • Quantum computing and communications

Access Facilities

  • New £4m class 100 and class 1000 clean rooms
  • E-beam lithography machine
  • Plasma etching

Benefits of Collaboration

  • Access unique knowledge and technologies
  • Access our multi-million pound facilities
  • Gain extra resources through student projects and placements
  • Tap into our networks and collaborate
  • Work with us to develop new products and processes

Working in Partnership

We have collaborations with major international manufacturing and ICT corporations such as IBM, Alcatel, Pilkington Glass, Varta, Fiat and a range of medium sized research intensive companies within the UK and across Europe.

We also have strong regional partnerships, particularly with Manchester University through the North West Nanoscience Doctoral Training Centre, and strong international partnerships, for example through The Cockcroft Institute, an international centre for Accelerator Science and Technology which Lancaster University co-founded. We are particularly interested in forming partnerships with organisations in the areas of photonics, nanoelectronics, health care, security, energy, coatings and semiconductors.

We also work as part of a wider multidisciplinary team across Science and Technology at Lancaster and can also link in with experts in Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, Environment, Health and Human Development, Information and Communication Technologies, Mathematics and Statistics and Security to complement QTC expertise.

Partnership Examples

Projects to develop smaller, cheaper devices with better resolution, precision and performance with less energy consumption:

  • Photodiodes for imaging/communications /gas monitoring, e.g. for compact disc players, camera light meters, smoke detectors, instruments to analyse samples, night vision equipment
  • Non-destructive nanoscale resolution using a carbon nanotube scanning thermal probe, e.g. for accurate screening of biological samples
  • Graphene research for innovation in materials science/chemistry/engineering, e.g. for electronics, flexible touch screens, sensors and in composite materials
  • Quasiparticle imaging and superfluid flow experiments at ultralow temperatures, e.g. for the acquisition of dynamic information applicable to chemistry, oil and gas sectors
  • New electronics concept: wafer-scale epitaxial graphene e.g. position sensing, automotive ignition and fuel injection, wheel rotation sensing and spacecraft propulsion
  • Accelerated discovery of new organic semiconductors for optical and electrical sensor concepts, systems-on-a-chip architectures