National Quantum Computing Centre
Two important organisations propelling the development of quantum technology capabilities in the UK are the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). One notable example of cooperation between these two organisations was the transfer of a microfabricated ion trap from NPL to the NQCC, which was reported in July 2025. Following a partnership in mid-2023, this transfer occurred in March 2025 and was greatly aided by £250,000 in financing from the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT). For the UK to develop a domestic quantum computing capability, this program is an essential first step.
The NPL Microtrap: A Mature Research Platform
The ion microtrap is a well-established and thoroughly characterised research platform for investigating developments in trapped ion systems, having been developed by NPL over almost 20 years. This device, which is about the size of a computer chip, is the product of extensive innovation and precise engineering.
The microtrap’s fabrication posed several engineering difficulties. Standard microfabrication methods are usually suited for two-dimensional microstructures, according to Alastair Sinclair, Principal Scientist in NPL’s microtraps team. In order to reach the required precision and complexity, NPL had to modify these methods in novel ways in order to produce a working three-dimensional structure at the microscale. This painstaking process frequently required collaboration with fabrication experts such as Kelvin Nanotechnology Ltd.
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The microtrap is placed in a vacuum chamber and attached to mirror and laser systems after creation. Ion control and manipulation in vacuum is possible because particles cannot interfere with the sensitive quantum system. A laser pulse removes one electron from a trapped normal atom, creating a positively charged ion. The ion is then precisely levitated in three dimensions by the electric field produced by the carefully positioned electrodes of the trap. These ions can then be cooled to extremely low energies, have their energy states changed, measured, or entangled with other ions in a string to connect their states.
Ion Traps and Quantum Computing Principles
Trapped ions are ideal for quantum computing because they store and process quantum information. Quantum computing is based on the qubit. Qubits, like those constructed of particular ion energy levels, can be both 0 and 1 at the same time, unlike classical bits. Lasers can manage an ion in a trap into a controlled superposition, retaining quantum coherence and allowing it to represent several possibilities. Quantum computers are able to execute several calculations at once because of this special characteristic.
Entanglement between strings of ions simplifies calculations that use qubit connections rather than states. Quantum computers can decipher complex encryption codes, improve global supply systems, and simulate complex chemical reactions. Ion traps are seen as a promising way to create functional quantum processors.
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Transfer and NQCC’s Research Focus
Careful procedures were followed in order to physically move the NPL microtrap to the NQCC. In order to guarantee communication with the NQCC’s infrastructure, NPL completed the last packaging and connected the required optical and electrical systems. Before being shipped, extensive testing was done at NPL’s own laboratories. The knowledge exchange, which included two secondments intended to thoroughly teach the NQCC Ion Trap team, was an essential part of the transfer. The system was successfully tested after being transported and installed at the NQCC, and on March 28, 2025, the first ions were shown to be captured. This created a strong research atmosphere by validating the system’s operation and the efficiency of the teamwork process.
The ion trap is now in use at the NQCC and provides a platform for investigating developments in trapped ion systems. The storage of several qubits in a single strontium atom is the initial area of scientific interest. Because strontium has three unique atomic-level features that can be used to create a qubit, it was specially selected. The NQCC’s researchers are looking into how these various methods may be used to greatly improve the effectiveness of some quantum algorithms and possibly open up new computational avenues for applications of quantum computing in the future.
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The requirement to increase the number of qubits while preserving control and coherence is one of the major issues in scaling quantum computers that is directly addressed by this investigation of multifaceted qubit representation. The goal of the NQCC is to minimise the complexity and physical footprint of future quantum processors by optimising the information stored within each atom. The NPL microtrap’s successful integration also offers a crucial platform for confirming theoretical developments in trapped ion quantum computing, assisting in closing the gap between theoretical study and real-world application.
Collaboration and Future Prospects
The ultimate goal is for the ion trap to develop into a multipurpose tool for quantum computation. This would directly help the development of UK quantum technology capabilities and promote innovation across a range of disciplines dependent on quantum computing by creating a useful resource for academic and industry partners to test and improve their quantum algorithms. The framework for collaboration between NPL and NQCC is intended to guarantee that the gadget stays at the vanguard of technological advancement, consistently adjusting to new possibilities and challenges.
The two institutions’ complementary areas of expertise are what make this relationship successful. NPL provides a solid basis for innovation with its precision engineering capabilities and in-depth knowledge of the basic physics behind ion trap technology. On the other hand, the development and implementation of innovative quantum solutions will be accelerated by NQCC’s emphasis on converting research into useful applications and its access to a larger network of industrial partners. The UK’s fast expanding quantum ecosystem is anticipated to profit greatly from this synergy.
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The head of the NQCC’s Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing Team, Dr. Cameron Deans, emphasised that the NPL microtrap is a sophisticated and well-understood research platform rather than merely a piece of hardware. Researchers can focus on pushing the limits of quantum processing rather than resolving simple hardware problems because to this maturity, which is essential for shortening research timetables and reducing the risks associated with implementing unproven technology. Alastair Sinclair further confirmed that NPL is in a strong position to work with NQCC to guarantee that ion traps realise their full potential in quantum computing because of its in-depth knowledge of quantum basics and the ion trap system.
Beyond enhancing individual qubits, the NQCC’s long-term goal is to investigate innovative architectures for connecting several ion traps in order to develop scalable quantum processors that can handle ever more challenging issues. The NPL microtrap is ideal for testing novel architectural paradigms because to its stability and characterisation. This collaboration shows a shared commitment to UK quantum leadership.
