IEEE Quantum Technical Community (QTC)

IEEE Quantum Technical Community (QTC), launched in 2019 by IEEE Future Directions, serves as IEEE’s leading community for all projects and activities on quantum technologies. IEEE Quantum is supported by leadership and representation across IEEE Societies and operating units. The initiative has developed a project plan to address the current landscape of quantum technologies, identify challenges and opportunities, leverage and collaborate with existing initiatives, engage the quantum community at large, and sustain the Quantum Initiative in the long-term.

The Quantum-HPC Working Group will define and steer the development of methods, tools and skills for building, operating, using and supporting hybrid high-performance quantum computing and simulation systems. To achieve this, the working group will use the hub-spoke model illustrated here to systematically address multiple topics, stakeholders, and open challenges.

IEEE Quantum Initiative Support for Standards

Until recently, quantum information was a research area in which participants interacted solely by the principles of open publishing. Although open research continues, a few companies are now selling quantum computers, or services based on them, and a larger number of companies are selling quantum information-specific components.

IEEE’s associated standards organizations may have a key role once quantum information becomes big business. However, companies already in the quantum information field are taking steps to organize the marketplace, such as through the formation of the U. S. Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C). QED-C and international counterparts have expressed interest to IEEE in developing standards appropriate for an emerging market.

IEEE supports both informal and formal standards. For example, the IEEE Wi-Fi standard 802.11 is a formal, complex, evolving standard enabling a large industry of interoperable products. We hope quantum computing will warrant such a standard someday, but informal activities are more appropriate right now. Visit the Standards page for more information about how IEEE Quantum is supporting the evolution of quantum information standards.

The IEEE Quantum Podcast Series interviews some of the top subject matter experts in the emerging field of quantum computing. Covering topics from quantum engineering to benchmarking, standardization, industry trends, and more, we provide you with access to the industry’s best of the best.