Part of the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), as the UK’s national metrology institute, plays a major role across the full scale and scope of the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).
The principal objectives of the NQTP are:
- The UK will benefit from significant economic growth driven by the successful development and sale of new products and services based on quantum technologies.
- The UK will become significantly more secure and more resilient through the exploitation of quantum technologies.
In support of these objectives, the NPL Quantum Programme (NPLQP) uses our wide range of capabilities, delivered with the discipline of international metrology and coupled with our independence, to support the UK quantum economy. The NPLQP ensures:
- New products should be brought to market more quickly and more successfully by UK-based companies.
- New standards and regulations should help and not hinder the development of the UK economy.
- There should be a larger and more skilled workforce across the UK.
- These benefits should be secured for the long term.
We are enabling the UK quantum industry to develop products with confidence and prove value to customers, end users and investors. In doing so, we are contributing to UK economic growth, creating high-skilled jobs and building a more secure and resilient UK.
Research study conducted by Ipsos UK
We are conducting an official study to generate important information for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and develop qualitative evidence for the routes to impact of the NPL Quantum Programme. Those selected for participation in the study is based on prior engagement.
How we work with the UK quantum community
NPL has a range of activities and programmes within the quantum ecosystem. We can support development and validate progress in new product development, as well as helping companies focus on the most productive avenues for R&D. Find out more about how we can help you.
- Access our specialist quantum measurement expertise at no charge via our Measurement for Quantum scheme
- Talk to an expert directly, just fill in our contact form
- Discover more about our current quantum collaborations
- Use our commercial products and services in Quantum technologies or Time and frequency
- Train the next generation of scientists to ensure you have the right skills.
- Work with NPL to establish partnerships for quantum test and evaluation across the UK
- Uncover the NQTP Hub projects our teams are involved with
- Collaborate or just keep up to date with other major research programmes, including :
NPL's quantum capabilities for industry
NPL’s world-leading expertise and cutting-edge facilities are critical to ensuring end-users, system integrators and investors can have confidence in new products and services based on quantum technologies. Through our work we can support development and validate progress in new product development, as well as helping companies focus on the most productive avenues for R&D.
We have real world impact, helping companies secure funding, move quickly through technology readiness levels (TRLs), protect IP and reach markets earlier.
Standards
NPL plays a key role in the development and coordination of standards for the emerging quantum industries. We are bringing together the UK community with an interest in standards to discuss the value of standards and the importance for UK organisations to engage with the international standards development activity.
Case studies
Here are some case studies to show how NPL has been helping the UK’s quantum industry to bridge the gap from a technology prototype in a research environment to an industry-ready, innovative new product or service.
Quantum Computing
Increasing the scalability of cryogenic interconnects for quantum computing
Quantum Materials
Revealing new markets for graphene sensors
Calibration of atomic force microscope probes
Quantum Time & Frequency
Delivering trusted time for UBS infrastructure via NPLTime®
Characterising vapour cells for ultra-accurate atomic clocks
Come and talk to us
Want to talk to our quantum team?
Do you have a measurement challenge? Are there blockers in progression of a product or service to market? We have world leading expertise across a range of disciplines within the scope of the National Quantum Technologies Programme.
Contact us and we’ll match you with the right scientist or engineer to help troubleshoot your problem.
Meet the team
We have over 90 internationally-recognised researchers focused on quantum and time science and technology. We are training the next generation of scientists and engineers, and developing the capabilities of apprentices, technicians, undergraduates and postgraduates.
Quantum
Our research harnesses the power of quantum science to develop next generation devices
Find out moreTime and frequency
Our research pushes the boundaries of timing technologies as we provide customers with access to trusted and reliable time and frequency.
Find out more