Manchester's home for quantum research
We're training a new generation of scientists and engineers.
Pioneering Quantum 2.0
Driving breakthroughs in next-generation quantum technologies
From Rutherford’s work on the atom, to the isolation of graphene and the creation of the world’s purest silicon for qubits, our community has been a driving force in quantum discovery.
Today, we at the forefront of applied quantum research and innovation. Bringing together dozens of the world’s leading experts, united by a singular mission, we’re exploiting quantum effects with revolutionary capability in imaging, timing, computing and sensing, and translating these into quantum 2.0 technologies.
A dynamic community of around 100 researchers across physics, engineering, materials, mathematics and computing.
A leading partner for National Physical Laboratory’s materials research for quantum.
World-leading equipment for building and understanding quantum science.
An unrivalled research environment
We deliver internationally renowned research and training, bringing together research from the £120m National Graphene Institute with 1,500m² of class 100 and 1000 cleanrooms, the £60m Photon Science Institute, the Henry Royce Institute, the UK’s national institute for advanced materials research and innovation, the National Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Facility which contains probably the broadest range of microwave EPR instrumentation in Europe, and from across our departmental research activities across our Schools and the Faculty.
Over the last ten years, we’ve invested £1bn in our campus to create an environment where researchers can unlock potential and empower progress.
As a result, we host equipment that can’t be found anywhere else. Such as P-NAME, which can dope materials to one ion with 20 nanometre accuracy and CUSTOM facility, the only cryogenic near-field microscope of its kind in the UK.
This means, from the lab to real-world impact, we’re helping deliver transformation that shapes the future.
Seamless connectivity
Our research and innovation ecosystem is strongly supported by our networks with the University and the city. For example, we work in collaboration with:
- Our University’s Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research to gain a broad perspective on security challenges—many of which are directly shaped by quantum technologies.
- The UK’s largest NHS Foundations Trusts, based here in Manchester, to help translate quantum sensing into patient diagnostics.
- Our Faculty is home to the largest Computer Science department, to collaborate on the convergence of AI and quantum computing.
- Our colleagues in social science, to advance the study of quantum security and trust.
- Our researchers lead experiments at CERN, to advance the application of quantum to our leading studies on the universe.
Our research specialisms
2D materials and condensed matter
Theme lead - Artem Mishchenko
The theme combines cutting-edge theoretical and experimental approaches to understand and harness quantum phenomena in two-dimensional materials. Our research spans from fundamental studies of topologically protected states and light-matter interactions to practical applications in quantum computing and optoelectronics.
Information, computation and physical fundamentals
Theme lead – Thomas Elliott
Just as thermodynamics drove the industrial revolution, and information theory the digital age, quantum information underpins the imminent quantum revolution. Correspondingly, quantum computers are the flagship quantum technology, promising to enhance our computational power by speeding up calculations and solve problems too complex for our current classical supercomputers. In this theme, we seek to better understand the physics behind such quantum advantages, design new algorithms for quantum computers, and probe new frontiers of foundational physics.
Materials for quantum
Theme lead - Maddison Coke
The theme is vast in scope of materials and therefore rich in techniques. With each material system bringing its own challenges, but also solutions, we aim to bring them together to share and understand the wider materials problems faced. Our research looks at the materials properties from single ions to bulk doping, from fundamentals to device architecture.
Photonics
Theme lead – Jayadev Vijayan
Photonics is an indispensable tool in modern quantum research that underpins breakthroughs in quantum computing, ultra-precise sensing and secure communication.
Researchers at Manchester harness light to image, control and engineer matter at atomic length scales and ultrafast time scales, to build devices that will power the future of quantum technology.
Quantum technologies for fundamental physics
Theme lead – Jamie McDonald
The newly established Quantum Technologies for Fundamental Physics group brings together theorists and experimentalists from across a range of disciplines with the goal of designing and building new kinds of experiments to probe physics beyond the Standard Model.
Our expertise spans radio engineering, low-temperature physics, levitated sensors, nuclear physics, dark matter, axions, dark energy, extended theories of gravity, high-frequency gravitational waves as well as astrophysics, cosmology and astronomy.
Spins and quibits
Theme lead – Alice Bowen
The University’s materials chemistry activity is internationally leading, incorporating both metalorganic and inorganic systems for use as molecular qubits and qudits for quantum computing. Molecules have advantages as potential quantum objects, particularly for high temperature operation.
Explore our impact
- Read our input into the Horizon 2020 EC-FET European Quantum Flagship programme.
- Discover our partnership with National Physical Laboratory (NPL) where we also co-lead the UK M4Q EPSRC Network.
- Read how the world’s purest silicon has brought scientists one step closer to scaling up quantum computers.
Get in touch
If you're interested in collaborating with us, or want to know more about the Centre's activities and how to get involved, contact: