Upskilling photonics technicians to meet challenges of the quantum 2.0 revolution

Abstract

As there is no sizable, trained workforce to support product commercialization, recent advances in quantum research have created a significant mismatch between quantum science and the emerging quantum industry. Part of this new workforce will be developed through the upskilling of incumbent photonics technicians whose current qualifications present a solid foundation for the new quantum-related competencies. In order to provide the greatest access to these new skills, curriculum requirements need to be delivered largely through flexible distance-learning platforms. In this paper, we describe our efforts to produce an open-access educational curriculum and introduce new quantum-related competencies to the new and incumbent skilled technical workforce. A detailed list of the competencies sought by the quantum industry is given and then followed by the results of a survey through which the proposed competencies were assessed. This project introduces the complex subject of quantum science to advanced technological education. An openaccess educational platform will reduce geographical barriers between colleges, students, and industry and help academic institutions with recruitment, retention, and completion. This high-tech workforce will see an increase in diversity, thus removing social barriers and fostering equal economic growth across our nation. The proposed curriculum is expected to help the US maintain the world lead in quantum technologies. This project is funded by the NSF Advanced Technological Education grant (NSF DUE 2055061). This grant focuses on the education of technicians for advanced technologies that drive the nation's economy.

Exploring Trends and Opportunities in Quantum‐Enhanced Advanced Photonic Illumination Technologies

“…[84] Advancing quantum photonics will require novel design architectures and fabrication techniques to integrate electronic and photonic circuits within a single microchip at scale. [87] New materials like 2D van der Waals layers also offer opportunities to create coherently operating quantum photonic devices with unprecedented control of light-matter interaction. [88] While substantial promises exist, significant challenges remain before quantum photonics' potential is fully realized.…”

“…[ 84 ] Advancing quantum photonics will require novel design architectures and fabrication techniques to integrate electronic and photonic circuits within a single microchip at scale. [ 87 ]…”

Quantum education: how to teach a subject that nobody fully understands

“…The survey questions were created based on the industry input and then systematically organized into a few areas of interest-prerequisite skills in optics and photonics, fundamentals of quantum mechanics, quantum hardware, quantum information theory, and fundamentals of spectroscopy. Based on the survey results reported [10], the EdQuantum team constructed the EdQuantum curriculum framework with top-level competencies and lower-level course learning outcomes [11]. The main guidelines used in the development of the EdQuantum curriculum are: (1) to use no calculus or hard math, (2) to be as intuitive as possible, (3) to lead to a formal quantum certification, (4) to be as applicable as possible, (5) to cover both quantum software and quantum hardware, and ( 6) to promote inclusiveness and diversity.…”