Qubit Community Weekly Newsletter #40
Dear Qubit Community,
Welcome to the latest edition of Qubit.IL’s weekly newsletter, where we dive into the fascinating world of quantum technologies, explore groundbreaking advancements, and connect with our vibrant quantum community. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher, a curious student, or simply quantum-curious, this is your gateway to staying informed and inspired about the quantum landscape.
Best Regards,
The Qubit.IL Team
Business, Technology and Engineering Highlights
Oxford Quantum Circuits Unveils Roadmap to 50,000 Logical Qubits by 2034 - UK-based Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC) published an ambitious roadmap on June 5, targeting 200 logical qubits by 2028 and 50,000 logical qubits by 2034, focusing on fault-tolerant quantum computing. The strategy centers on OQC's proprietary 3D "Coaxmon" superconducting qubit architecture, claiming a tenfold advantage in physical-to-logical qubit efficiency. The roadmap emphasizes achieving high two-qubit gate fidelities (99.8%) and fast gate speeds (25 nanoseconds) to enable applications in cybersecurity, financial modeling, and drug discovery.
For further information: https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/06/05/oxford-quantum-circuits-oqc-publishes-quantum-computing-roadmap-sets-sights-on-50000-logical-qubits-by-2034/
MIT Launches Inaugural Quantum Index Report - On June 5, 2025, MIT's Initiative on the Digital Economy (IDE) released the first "Quantum Index Report 2025," a 132-page document assessing the global quantum landscape. The initial focus is on quantum computing and quantum networking, aiming to demystify the field for policymakers, business leaders, educators, and researchers. The report tracks trends in R&D, education, and public perception using data from academia, industry, and policy sources.
For further information: https://ide.mit.edu/insights/just-released-2025-mit-quantum-index-report/
For the research paper: http://www.arxiv.org/abs/2506.04259
WISeKey/SEALSQ Prepare for Mid-June Quantum-Safe Satellite Launch - WISeKey International Holding announced on June 3, 2025, that its subsidiary WISeSat.Space SA, with SEALSQ Corp, is set to launch the WISeSat 3.0 satellite in mid-June from California. WISeSat 3.0 will be the first satellite to embed SEALSQ’s Quantum RootKey technology, aiming to establish a space-based Proof-of-Concept for Post-Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). The mission will use NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptographic algorithms (CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium) to protect sensitive data and manage IoT devices globally.
For further information: https://www.wisekey.com/press/wisekeys-wisesat-confirms-next-satellite-launch-scheduled-for-mid-june-from-california-to-advance-quantum-safe-space-communications/
Security Flaw Identified in Early Quantum Satellite Underscores Implementation Challenges - A report on June 3, 2025, indicated a security flaw was discovered in one of the first operational quantum satellites, Micius, due to hardware imperfections creating side channels. The analysis showed that signal and decoy photons could be distinguished in over 98% of cases, undermining the security of its QKD system. This highlights the ongoing need for rigorous validation and robust engineering in deploying quantum security technologies.
For further information: https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/06/03/study-finds-security-flaw-in-worlds-first-quantum-satellite/
National Academies Call for Experts on Quantum Sensing for Counter-UAS - The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine issued a call for experts (closing June 9, 2025) for a workshop on quantum sensing technologies. The workshop will explore the potential of quantum sensing to improve the U.S. Army's capabilities in countering unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). This initiative indicates a high-level effort to assess the maturity and applicability of quantum sensing for critical defense needs.
For further information: https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/workshop-on-quantum-sensing-to-aid-in-countering-unmanned-aerial-systems
Research Highlights
Scientists Directly Observe "String Breaking" in 2D Quantum Simulator - An international research team reported in Nature (June 4, 2025) the first direct observation of "string breaking" in a programmable 2D quantum simulator using QuEra Computing’s 'Aquila' neutral-atom platform. The experiment simulated quark confinement by arranging rubidium atoms to mimic synthetic charges and observing the spontaneous creation of new charge pairs as "strings" between them were stretched, effectively breaking the original string. This provides a new tool for fundamental physics, validates quantum simulators for complex problems intractable for classical computers, and showcases the scalability of neutral-atom platforms. Key players include the University of Innsbruck, Harvard University, QuEra Computing, and the Institute for Theoretical Physics (IFT), Madrid.
For the research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09051-6
For further information: https://www.quera.com/press-releases/scientists-observe-string-breaking-in-two-dimensional-quantum-simulator
Quantum Machine Learning Poised to Bolster QKD Security and Efficiency - A study in Frontiers in Quantum Science and Technology (reported June 6, 2025) proposed using Quantum Machine Learning (QML) to enhance Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. QML could improve QKD by enabling intelligent selection of quantum states, real-time eavesdropping detection, adaptive protocol optimization, and more efficient quantum random number generation. This offers a sophisticated approach to optimizing QKD robustness and efficiency in real-world environments.
For further information: https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/06/06/how-can-quantum-machine-learning-serve-as-a-tool-to-strengthen-quantum-key-distribution/
Perimeter Institute Conference Explores Quantum Gravity and Fundamental Physics - The "Lee's Fest: Quantum Gravity and the Nature of Time" conference (June 2-6) at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics featured discussions on quantum gravity, the nature of time, and foundational quantum mechanics. Presentations included "Building and (hints of) seeing gravitational statistical mechanics" and "Being, Becoming and Experience in Quantum Gravity." Such fundamental research could, in the long term, inform new classes of ultra-precise sensors and advance our understanding of the universe.
For further information: https://events.perimeterinstitute.ca/e/937