Building prosperity by unleashing the power of quantum computing

Commercializing quantum computing   

Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize drug discovery, the energy sector, cyber security and more because it can handle certain types of problems that are not possible with conventional computers.  

While we’ve had versions of quantum computers for more than a decade, for them to reach their potential, they need to achieve a certain scale and level of functionality. Stephanie Simmons, who leads the Silicon Quantum Technology lab at Simon Fraser University (SFU), started her company, Photonic Inc., to deliver on that need.  

To make the jump to useful quantum computers, I understood I’d need to work within the private sector. Canada has great training programs and opportunities for financial support for researchers who want to commercialize their work.

Taking advantage of silicon to find success   

Simmons became interested in quantum technology in her teens and studied in Canada and abroad, but returned to Vancouver, B.C., to start Photonic. The company is taking a novel approach that leverages the benefits of silicon and telecom-network compatibility of photons to build a scalable, commercially relevant quantum computing platform. 

Silicon fabrication is well known and Photonic’s approach doesn’t require the same extreme temperatures as some other quantum computing materials to function — both of which are advantageous in developing the technology for commercial use.