Interview: Sebastian Weidt, Co-Founder and CEO, Universal Quantum

Ahead of Quantum.Tech Europe 2022, we caught up with Sebastian Weidt, Co-Founder and CEO at Universal Quantum to explore their work behind building million qubit computer, their collaboration with UKRI and what attendees can look forward to when attending Quantum.Tech Europe this September.

How many years off are you building a million qubit computer?

Predictions in quantum computing are notoriously difficult. However, at Universal Quantum we can leverage our unique approach to scaling and are working hard to reach the million-qubit scale (required to unlock the full range of exciting applications of quantum computing) in this decade – but it’s important to keep a level head when reading any such predictions because, in truth, no one knows with certainty as quantum computing is still at the early stages of development.

What perspective do you bring that makes Universal Quantum unique?

We bring a truly scalable trapped ion quantum computer architecture based on a published blueprint, which our co-founders helped create in 2017 - A key component of this architecture is UQConnect – our method of connecting individual quantum computer modules together to form a large scale machine. After developing our latest generation of microchips, we have now carried out the experimental demonstration of UQConnect and measured a world-record connection speed and also showed that the quantum information being transferred remained pristine. Indeed, the specifications are already good enough for the execution of fault-tolerant quantum computing which is the most powerful mode of operation for a quantum computer.

How are you working with the UKRI?

We are part of a number of Innovate UK projects. Our flagship project is The QEC Project, a consortium that was awarded a £7.5m grant from Innovate UK’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to build a scalable quantum computer that can correct its own errors and apply this technology to high-impact problems in the aerospace industry. We are leading the consortium, which will tackle a major challenge in making quantum computers commercially viable, correcting the errors that quantum bits – qubits – are prone to. The consortium is taking a cohesive approach, addressing the key issues to make a useful quantum computer at the software, hardware and end-user level.

What sort of partners are you looking for currently?

We are working with and interested to speak with government entities, industry and other key stakeholders both inside and outside the quantum community.

As one of our leading sponsors at Quantum.Tech Europe, what are you looking forward to the most?

These events always provide a great forum for discussions and networking with individuals and businesses alike. As interest in quantum computing continues to increase, we're passionate about telling people why they need to engage with quantum companies that can really get them to the million-qubit range - and how Universal Quantum will get there. Because to unlock the full commercial potential of quantum computing we need to reach the million-qubit scale.

Join Sebastian Weidt on Monday 19th September at the Platform and Processors Evaluation Day of Quantum.Tech Europe who'll be showcasing the work Universal Quantum have been conducting to push forward the quantum boundaries. To join Sebastian and Universal Quantum, make sure you register your spot here today.