$1.3 trillion market expected! Who will build the first error-free quantum computer?
USA, Europe, or China – Who will build the first error-free quantum computer?
According to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, war is the father of all things. One may think what they will of that, but the race between the USA and China for the first top-notch quantum computer that no longer makes errors seems to unleash a great deal of innovation potential. After all, much is at stake: whoever masters the technology first can crack secret encryptions and thus spy on the military and political secrets of others. For this reason, the quantum computer is already a political issue.
US bans investments in Chinese quantum technology
According to experts, it could happen as early as 2030: from then on, fault-tolerant quantum computers are expected to be able to solve the first real-world problems. But where will the first one be located— in the US, in Europe, or in China? To rule out the latter, US President Joe Biden issued a law in mid-August that prohibits American investors from investing in Chinese quantum technology. China is trying to gain the upper hand in quantum research; more than half of all global patents in quantum technology have been filed by Chinese organizations. At the same time, China is collecting data at a frantic pace, possibly to decrypt it later using quantum computers. The FBI is alarmed, because if China succeeds, the country would know the majority of all American trade secrets.
Microsoft needs several billion dollars for developments in quantum mechanics
According to McKinsey, quantum technology is expected to create $1.3 trillion in value by 2035 across the automotive, chemicals, finance, and healthcare sectors. It is therefore no surprise that many companies are pushing their research departments. Microsoft has developed a new type of qubit—the “multi-sided” storage unit used in quantum computers. The new topological qubit stores quantum information at the two ends of a superconducting nanowire. This makes topological qubits less susceptible to interference than the particles used so far, which were based on electrons or photons. Microsoft does not yet have its own fully functional quantum computer. To continue advancing its research, the tech giant says it still needs several billion dollars in investment.
Many startups have also entered the field. Everyone wants a piece of the pie. Investment in startups in the quantum technology sector reached an all-time high in 2022. A total of $2.35 billion was invested in quantum-technology startups between 2001 and 2022. That represents 75% of all startup investments during that period.
New professorship for quantum materials
Europe is also expanding its research in quantum mechanics. Since 2018, the EU has been developing an eavesdropping-proof infrastructure for €1 billion using encryption methods from quantum physics. The project is led by Deutsche Telekom. By 2025, a supercomputer with quantum acceleration is also expected to be built. In addition, since October 15, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg has had a professorship for quantum materials (“Computational Quantum Materials”). The position is held by Professor Giorgio Sangiovanni, who has developed what is known as indenen from indium, a topological insulator.
Indium-based semiconductors accelerate the development of quantum computers
Since their first verification, topological insulators have been considered a future material for quantum computers and the development of the smallest electronic components. Indenen, like graphene—which was recently regulated by China—is a semiconductor, but it is superior to the latter in terms of durability. When used in quantum computers, it has the advantage that it does not first have to be cooled down to extremely low temperatures in order to use its properties as a topological insulator. The fact that quantum computers currently still make relatively many errors is primarily due to materials. With indenen, computers could operate more accurately in the future. In addition, the material can be used to build larger contiguous areas, which further improves the computing performance of the systems.
Indenen is obtained from indium, which is also used in the construction of quantum computers, for example in the form of so-called indium bumps (as we reported). Indium is therefore a good way to enter the growing quantum-computing market with a tangible-asset investment.
We do not prohibit you from investing in quantum computing technology. Go ahead and buy indium!