Quantum technology with light is taking off

Quantum technology is moving out of the lab and closer to real-world use. A new review in Nature Materials shows how light, photons, can play a key role in future quantum computers, secure communication and ultra-precise measurements.

For years, quantum technology was mostly about proof-of-principle experiments. Now, photonic quantum technologies are reaching a scale and reliability that open the door to practical applications. From certain computations out of reach for present-day supercomputers to secure data transfer and new ways of measuring the world around us, the possibilities are rapidly expanding.

This progress is highlighted in a review article published in Nature Materials (August 2025). The paper looks back at key breakthroughs in quantum optics and sets out the road ahead towards technologies with major societal impact.

The article was co-authored by Jelmer Renema, Principal Investigator at QUANT and part of MESA+.