This report aims to show the technical steps needed to build a fully functional quantum computer. We give an overview of the subject, and review leading technologies to realise such a computer. We include an estimate of the resources needed for real world problems and address the most common concerns. We also discuss the possible applications that would become available during the process towards building a fully universal quantum computer, i.e. what you can achieve with a “small” quantum computer. These applications apply to fields such as physics and chemistry simulations, encryption, and optimisation.

We hope that this technical report will be helpful to those who want to understand, engage, develop, manufacture or invest in this technology.

Background to the Technical Roadmap

Recently, we have seen a substantial increase in the momentum for quantum computing research, with the promise of performing previously impossible computing tasks, leading to a race to realise the world's first universal quantum computing machine.

This progress has opened up many commercial opportunities, creating a substantial amount of interest from industry. Through the interactions with the Networked Quantum Information Technologies (NQIT) Hub and the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme industrial networks, many of our industry partners have told us that the subject of quantum computing is complex and that there is need for a detailed roadmap in order to clarify its technical development and potential applications. Such a roadmap would help them to understand the status of this technology and make relevant business decisions. The Technical Roadmap for Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing is our response to this request.

Download the Technical Roadmap for Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing.