Quantum technologies are set to revolutionise computing applications in the 21st century and require fundamental research to facilitate progress towards adoption. The four selected Open Excellence projects all performed fundamental research into future measurement methods as a first step towards characterising quantum properties of materials or devices that will be used in next generation applications.

The EMRP Open Excellence theme was set up to fund early stage scientific research for future measurement techniques. Smaller in scale than other EMRP themes, it was setup to encourage interaction between the NMI community and academia, with funding made available to support the participation of university researchers. Open Excellence acts as a forerunner to the EMPIR Fundamental Theme, which is enabling a broad range of fundamental measurement research to underpin the SI.

Aspects of quantum mechanics investigated in the Open Excellence theme:

• Quantum tools for better timekeeping and sensing
• Tools for calibrating optical quantum devices
• Tools for microwave single photon measurements
• Tools for measuring properties of quantum electron spin