Economic Impact of Quantum Electrical Metrology

Quantum Electrical Metrology (QEM) has a fundamental role within the National Measurement Infrastructure. QEM enables enhanced measurement capability by exploiting quantum strategies for improved sensitivity and accuracy of measurements, from which different industries and applications take advantage. Improvements in the realisation of primary standards in terms of higher accuracy, better usability, reduction of complexity and cost are essential to better meet the needs of new technologies and industries. Around 40% of all calibration services provided in the European countries are linked to electrical calibration. Various instruments and devices utilised across different sectors need to be calibrated against primary standards. The transfer of primary electrical standards to calibration labs and end users has proven to have multiple economic effects: considerable reduction of costs, risks and measurement uncertainties, resulting in better quality of products and higher overall cost-effectiveness for end users. Advances in QEM have direct impacts on measurement instruments and tools. While the electrical measurement instrumentation market is a niche market, it is invaluable from the economic point of view, as it provides specialised equipment broadly used across the economy. Significant impact is particularly expected from a broader application of electrical measurement technology in a production environment (on the factory floor), where it has substantial effects on quality assurance and reduction of scrap, rework, and re-test. The electrical and electronics sector is by far the largest user of electrical metrology technology, followed by IT & Telecommunication and industrial manufacturing. For providers of strategic technologies and applications, where even small measurement/calibration error can cost millions every year or cause serious harm, accurate calibration and measurements are critical. These involve the aviation and space industry, military and defense, medical equipment, and basic science and research. Accurate measurements of electrical parameters and calibration contribute significantly to the strategically important semiconductor industries and quantum computing technologies. Considerable socio-economic impact of QEM is generated in highly relevant application contexts, such as measurement of air pollutants, ionising radiation therapy (radiotherapy) for treating cancer, Earth Observation, Next Generation DNA and RNA sequencing.