Quantum systems are opening up a world of completely new possibilities for industry and society. Photonics plays a central role as a key technology for the commercialization of quantum systems and adds another field of application with enormous potential to the diverse and innovative industry. A new market report proves this: The global market for quantum systems is expected to grow sixfold by 2030, reaching a value of 2.33 billion euros p.a. These figures only include hardware, but also software and services, such as computing-as-a-service, which could expand the market by a factor of three to four. It is expected that the manufacturers of photonic basic technologies for quantum systems will generate additional sales of 530 million euros p.a. by 2030. This does not include the fact that photonics also plays an important role in the production process for these technologies.

These are the forecasts made in the market report “Photonics@Quantum: Basic Photonic Technologies for Quantum Systems” which was presented  at a press conference during the Laser World of Photonics fair in Munich. The report was commissioned by the German industry association Spectaris and Messe München and was compiled by the French technology consulting firm Tematys, which has already produced numerous studies on photonics and its important fields of application.

“Once their full potential is realized, quantum systems can revolutionize the way we measure, process or transmit information. This will be accompanied by a profound technological transformation, the leverage effect of which will significantly increase value creation in Europe and worldwide. The first market-ready applications are already in the starting blocks. And the chances are good that Germany will not only be in an excellent starting position, but will also be able to expand this position in the long term,” explains Jörg Mayer, managing director of Spectaris.

The market for quantum systems is divided into three fields: Metrology and sensor technology, communication and computing. In these fields, quantum systems extend existing applications far beyond what is feasible today, for example in medical technology, communications, finance or transportation, or artificial intelligence. So-called quantum cryptography for communications (QKD) plays an important role in protecting sensitive communications. And quantum computing will significantly speed up computing processes compared to classical computers.

The new market report also makes it clear that many countries believe in the possibilities of this technology: A few years ago, government funding programs were launched worldwide for research into quantum systems, the value of which adds up to 20 billion US dollars over a ten-year period. The European Union is also participating in this race of nations with an amount of 1.1 billion US dollars, and Germany is investing as much as 3 billion US dollars in research into quantum systems. This does not take into account the research expenditures of companies and the investments of private capital providers. Two-thirds of venture capital investments were made in the last three years. Here, however, Europe lags behind in comparison to government funding: European companies received about five percent of global private capital funding, while companies in North America received 70 percent.

This makes the need for an exchange between all players in quantum systems all the greater: Research, industry and investors. “With the premiere of the World of Quantum at Laser World of Photonics 2022, Messe München is taking up what is currently the most exciting future field of photonics. Thanks to their great application potential in the fields of computing and cryptography, sensor technology and imaging, communication and medicine, quantum systems offer a broad field for innovation,” said Dr Reinhard Pfeiffer, vice chairman and CEO of Messe München.