There are many devices available which rely on quantum mechanical effects and have revolutionized society through medicine, optical communication, high-speed internet, and high-performance computing, just to mention a few examples. Nowadays, after the first quantum revolution that brought us
lasers,
MRI imagers and
transistors, a second wave of quantum technologies is expected to impact society in a similar way. This second quantum revolution makes use of quantum coherence and capitalizes on the great progress achieved in the last century in understanding and controlling atomic-scale systems. It is expected to help solve many of today's global challenges and has triggered several initiatives and research programs all over the globe. Quantum mechanical effects are used as a resource in novel technologies with far-reaching applications, including quantum sensors[1][2] and novel imaging techniques,[3]secure communication (
quantum internet)[4][5][6] and quantum computing.[7][8][9][10][11]
Education programs
Quantum engineering is evolving into its own engineering discipline. The quantum industry requires a quantum-literate workforce, a missing resource at the moment. Currently, scientists in the field of quantum technology have mostly either a physics or engineering background and have acquired their ”quantum engineering skills” by experience. A survey of more than twenty companies aimed to understand the scientific, technical, and “soft” skills required of new hires into the quantum industry. Results show that companies often look for people that are familiar with quantum technologies and simultaneously possess excellent hands-on lab skills.[12]
Several technical universities have launched education programs in this domain. For example,
ETH Zurich has initiated a Master of Science in Quantum Engineering, a joint venture between the electrical engineering department (D-ITET) and the physics department (D-PHYS), and the
University of Waterloo has launched integrated postgraduate engineering programs within the
Institute for Quantum Computing.[13][14] Similar programs are being pursued at
Delft University,
Technical University of Munich,
MIT,
CentraleSupélec and other technical universities.
In the realm of undergraduate studies, opportunities for specialization are sparse. Nevertheless, some institutions have begun to offer programs. The
Université de Sherbrooke offers a bachelor of science in quantum information,[15]University of Waterloo offers a quantum specialization in its electrical engineering program, and the
University of New South Wales offers a bachelor of quantum engineering.[16]
Students are trained in signal and information processing, optoelectronics and photonics, integrated circuits (bipolar,
CMOS) and electronic hardware architectures (
VLSI,
FPGA,
ASIC). In addition, they are exposed to emerging applications such as quantum sensing, quantum communication and cryptography and quantum information processing. They learn the principles of
quantum simulation and quantum computing, and become familiar with different quantum processing platforms, such as
trapped ions, and
superconducting circuits. Hands-on laboratory projects help students to develop the technical skills needed for the practical realization of quantum devices, consolidating their education in quantum science and technologies.