Start-up · Glasgow
Vector Photonics, a University of Glasgow spin-out, makes photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs), semiconductor lasers that send a narrow, bright beam straight up from the chip and can be produced with existing manufacturing processes. Its quantum work applies them to communications: it led QUDITS2, one of the ten projects in Innovate UK's March 2025 Quantum Missions pilot awards, building a demonstrator for quantum communication with qudits, which encode more than two levels, at optical communications wavelengths. Partners were the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, Phlux Technology and the University of Bristol, following an earlier Innovate UK QUDITS feasibility study.
Vector Photonics, based in Glasgow, is a start-up. It appears as a partner in QEPNT and Quantum Missions pilot.
Sources: Vector Photonics · Quantum Missions pilot competition winners announced (UKRI, March 2025) · Bristol wins funding for quantum internet tech (Quantum Zeitgeist, March 2025)
QEPNT
A national research hub for quantum position, navigation and timing, led by the University of Glasgow. It aims to reduce reliance on satellite signals such as GPS.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Timing and navigation, Sensing, Defence and security
Quantum Missions pilot
An Innovate UK competition that funded industry projects in quantum computing and quantum networks towards the UK quantum missions.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing, Networks
Recent articles from Quantum Zeitgeist that mention Vector Photonics.
The University of Bristol is leading two projects funded by Innovate UK’s £12 million Quantum Missions pilot competition to advance quantum networking technologies, aiming to create scalable and cost-effective photonic integrated circuits for secure communication and develop qudit-based systems for
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Twelve UK-based projects have secured £35 million in government funding to develop quantum computing and networking technologies, targeting one million quantum operations by 2028 and scaling up to one trillion by 2035, with a focus on fault-tolerant systems, high-speed networks, and secure communica
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
One of the benefits of listing on the public markets is that for some companies such as IonQ and soon to be Rigetti, it will take the entire sector out of the darkness of the private equity markets and catapult quantum into the light garnering much more publicity from the general public about the qu
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
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