A new world-class electronic nanofabrication facility called SuperFab was officially opened today (2 April 2019) at Royal Holloway, University of London’s Egham campus by Professor David Delpy, Chair of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council and Chair of the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme Strategic Advisory Board.
The facility comprises an advanced cleanroom housing world-class nanofabrication equipment for research and development of superconducting electronics and quantum circuits. These advanced types of electronics are used to produce extremely sensitive detectors, such as those needed for future medical imaging. Scientists using this type of equipment are also working to develop quantum computers. Quantum computers will be able to outperform the fastest present day computers for certain tasks.
Professor Paul Layzell, Principal of Royal Holloway, said: “SuperFab puts Royal Holloway at the leading edge of superconducting device physics, and quantum physics research.
“This world class facility will boost our vibrant and interdisciplinary research portfolio spanning our science departments. I hope it will inspire the next generation of scientist to find their purpose and make a difference.”
Professor David Delpy, Chair of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council and Chair of the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme Strategic Advisory Board, added: “The creation of Royal Holloway’s SuperFab facility represents a major step forward for the UK’s capability in the field of superconducting quantum devices and the international race to develop quantum technology.”
SuperFab is open to UK and international scientists researching superconducting quantum devices and to the wider industry. It is the result of a collaboration between Royal Holloway and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) with funding received from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), together with contributions from globally renowned equipment suppliers, JEOL and Zeiss, and support from others including Lancaster University.
For more information on SuperFab, which is open to academic and commercial researchers and developers, SMEs and others, visit: royalholloway.ac.uk/superfab
