Speaker Interview: Thomas Strohm, Chief Expert for Quantum Technologies at Bosch

Quantum Beginnings

As a theoretical physicist specializing in condensed matter physics, Strohm has always been engaged with quantum physics. However, when he first joined Bosch Research, his primary focus was software engineering and architecture.

"My real interest was always physics", he explains. "So when the time became ripe, I seized an opportunity to start quantum cryptography and quantum computing for IT applications at Bosch Research."

He wasn't alone. Two of Strohm's colleagues at Bosch began researching quantum sensors and quantum computing independently. Soon, all three paths joined to form the quantum technology activities of today at Bosch Research.

The Role of Chief Expert for Quantum Technologies

Strohm's role at Bosch comes with the intriguing title of Chief Expert for Quantum Technologies. His responsibilities are broad and varied, giving him an excellent oversight of the application of quantum technology at Bosch and beyond.

As he explains, "A Chief Expert oversees research in the area and contributes to the research strategy." He adds, "I also develop and communicate new ideas, elicit economically relevant use cases and establish and maintain cooperation with external partners."

Finally, the role still requires Strohm to perform hands-on research, which is essential for someone with such a deep interest in physics.

Bridging the Quantum Skills Gap

As with any cutting-edge tech, competing for top talent is a significant challenge. For Bosch, quantum technology is a long-term research topic. As he explains, "We need researchers who can contribute with the newest research results, and that's why we usually hire people who have just completed their PhD in the QT area of interest."

However, filling roles on the theoretical side is just the start. As Strohm points out, a research team also needs quantum engineers. "Quantum engineers are electronics engineers that develop prototypes of quantum sensors and therefore should understand how such sensors work." This situation creates a recruitment opportunity, "it is often advantageous to find an excellent electronics engineer already at Bosch Research and perform training on the job." Thomas notes.

Strohm acknowledges that the quantum skills gap is difficult to bridge. He suggests the problem goes beyond just quantum skills but points out that there are practical solutions. "The skills gap is a challenge for our industry, but other research areas also have a difficult time finding excellent talent," he says. "It's clear that a company has to be attractive for people looking for jobs, and I think Bosch is doing well in this respect."

How QuIC Can Help

Strohm's contributions to quantum technology extend beyond his work at Bosch. He was also instrumental in forming the European Quantum Industry Consortium (CIC). As he picks up, "About two years ago, Prof. Tommaso Calarco from FZ Jülich approached me and told me that QT is becoming more and more important for Europe and that we needed a common voice from the industry."

So the pair established QuIC. Since then, the organization has gone from strength to strength. "We now have more than 160 members engaged in QT; the large majority of them are companies," Thomas tells us. "QuIC is very productive and performs common work, continues attracting more members, and has the ear of the European Commission and other funding agencies.

Quantum sensing use cases

While quantum computing attracts most of the headlines, advances in quantum sensing seem to be where the most tangible progress is being made. The potential applications are fascinating, and Bosch is at the heart of many of these advances.

"We are researching a quantum magnetometer based on particular tiny-sized impurities, called NV-centres, in an otherwise perfect diamond crystal," Strohm explains. "Treating such a diamond with light and microwaves makes a small, inexpensive and highly-sensitive sensor for the magnetic field."

The potential applications here include:

• Measuring the activity of the human;
• Sensing positions in a known magnetic field;
• Making a precise ampermetre.

Another quantum sensing tech Bosch is developing is a quantum gyroscope that measures rotational movements. Thomas states, "It consists of a small vacuum cell with a mixture of atomic gasses. A static magnetic field brings the nuclei of these atoms to precession. By measuring the frequency of this precession, we can detect if the cell is rotating by itself. This method can detect rotations which are hundreds of times slower than the hour hand of your clock."

Quantum: The Five-Year View

Quantum technology seems tantalizingly close. R&D in the area is increasing, with the promise of applications that can revolutionize various sectors.

For Strohm, the next five years could be fascinating. "The quantum computing community is convinced that in 5 years or so, we will have seen quantum advantage." As Thomas explains, a quantum advantage is "a speedup with quantum computers in an economically relevant application."

As he suggests, if we can hit this point, it will have a knock-on effect of increasing R&D engagement in the field.

Regarding quantum sensors, Strohm suggests that within the next five years, "the first quantum sensors will be in the market. This will show us where the journey goes in the following years, what we will use quantum sensors for, and what the preferred sensing principles will be."

Want to hear more from Thomas Strohm. Make sure you register your spot for Quantum.Tech Europe here today and hear Thomas share his thoughts and opinions on the keynote panel: Overriding the hype – how can we avoid a Quantum Winter? What are the realistic aims for enterprises embracing quantum? 9:10am on Day 2.