Samsung Semiconductor India Research and the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru inaugurated the Quantum Research Lab on 15 October 2026 on the IISc campus. The lab, set up with Corporate Social Responsibility support from Samsung Semiconductor India Research at the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering, will advance research in quantum technologies and semiconductor devices. The launch strengthens industry academia collaboration at a time when India is building national capability in quantum computing, communication and sensing under the National Quantum Mission.
What Is Quantum Computing and Quantum Technology?
Quantum technology uses the rules of quantum physics, the science that describes how matter and energy behave at the scale of atoms and tiny particles, to build powerful new tools for computing, communication and sensing. Quantum computing is a type of computing that stores and processes information in quantum bits, or qubits, which can hold the values 0, 1 or a combination of both at the same time. This property, called superposition, along with entanglement and interference, allows quantum systems to explore many possibilities together in ways that regular computers cannot.
A regular computer uses bits. Each bit is either 0 or 1. A qubit is different. It can be 0, 1 or a mix of both until it is measured. When qubits are linked through entanglement, the state of one qubit instantly relates to the state of another, even across distance. Two qubits can hold four combinations at once. Three qubits can hold eight. Each extra qubit doubles the combinations. This exponential growth is why quantum computers promise huge power for specific tasks.
Quantum physics explains these effects. Quantum mechanics, the broader theory developed in the 1920s, describes superposition and entanglement. Quantum entanglement means two or more particles share a single combined state, so measuring one gives immediate information about the other. Quantum computers work by placing qubits in superposition, linking them through entanglement, and then using carefully designed operations to strengthen correct answers and cancel out wrong ones through interference. The final measurement gives the solution.
Qubits are fragile. Heat, vibration, stray electric or magnetic fields, or even cosmic rays can destroy superposition and entanglement. This breakdown is called decoherence. Most superconducting qubits must therefore operate inside cryogenic systems at extremely low temperatures close to absolute zero. Building stable qubits and protecting them long enough to complete calculations is the central engineering challenge in the field today.
Inside the New Quantum Research Lab at IISc
The Quantum Research Lab inaugurated on 15 October 2026 sits on the IISc campus in Bengaluru within the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering (DESE). Samsung Semiconductor India Research built the lab with Corporate Social Responsibility support, following a collaboration with IISc first announced in October 2023. Prof Mayank Shrivastava, Professor and Chair of DESE, leads the initiative. The partnership connects Samsung Semiconductor India Research, which works on System LSI, Memory and Foundry solutions from its Bengaluru base, with IISc, which was established in 1909 through the vision of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata with support from the Mysore royal family and the Government of India.
The lab focuses on the device level foundations of quantum systems and on joining advanced semiconductor materials with quantum platforms. It supports qubit characterisation, which means testing how well qubits hold their quantum states and respond to control signals. It also supports cryogenic electronics, which means electronic circuits designed to work reliably at extremely low temperatures where superconducting quantum devices operate. A third focus is quantum device reliability, which studies whether devices perform consistently over time and under real operating stress.
Research Focus: Qubits, Cryogenic Electronics and Single Photons
The lab has already catalysed work on 2D material based quantum devices and new device ideas tested under cryogenic conditions. Two dimensional materials, such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, are sheets that are only one or a few atoms thick. Prof Shrivastava’s group has studied how to connect these atom thin layers to the three dimensional world, reduce contact resistance, control defects, and build both n channel and p channel transistors needed for complementary circuits. The same materials are now being explored for qubits and single photon detectors.
Single photon sources and detectors are central to quantum communication. A single photon source produces light one particle at a time. A single photon detector registers that individual particle. Paired photons can carry quantum keys for secure communication through a method called quantum key distribution, often shortened to QKD. The new lab studies these sources and detectors along with semiconductor structures that can host them, including superconductors and novel semiconductor systems.
| Research Area in the Lab | What It Means in Simple Terms |
|---|---|
| Qubit characterisation | Measuring how long qubits stay stable and how accurately they respond |
| Cryogenic electronics | Circuits and control systems built to work in deep freeze conditions |
| Quantum device reliability | Testing life, failure causes and consistent performance of quantum devices |
| Single photon sources and detectors | Devices that create and catch single particles of light for quantum communication |
| Semiconductor quantum integration | Joining new materials like 2D layers and gallium nitride with quantum systems |
Industry Academia Partnership: SSIR, IISc and Talent Access
Samsung Semiconductor India Research and IISc describe the lab as shared infrastructure for the country, not only for one department. A key stated goal is to open advanced experimental facilities to researchers and students from institutions across India. Quantum equipment needs high capital investment and high running costs. Many colleges cannot buy or maintain such systems. Structured training and research exposure at the Bengaluru lab are meant to bridge that gap and widen the national talent pool for quantum science and technology.
The collaboration also links research with classroom learning through the India Semiconductor Workforce Development Program, known as ISWDP. The program addresses gaps in device physics, process development, modelling, simulation, characterisation and reliability. Selected learning modules on quantum materials and devices, cryogenic electronics and qubit technologies form part of this effort. The idea is to carry a learner from simulation and theory to hands on semiconductor experiments and then to frontier quantum research.
Prof Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc (as of October 2026), said industry academia partnerships create the deepest impact when they build lasting infrastructure and expand access to knowledge. Rajesh Krishnan, Managing Director of Samsung Semiconductor India Research, said semiconductors and quantum technologies are set to drive the next wave of innovation and that talent and research capability in this area are critical for India’s technology goals. Prof Mayank Shrivastava said the vision is end to end capability, with ISWDP enabling thousands of learners in semiconductor workflows while the Quantum Research Lab pushes research on qubits and single photon detectors using next generation material platforms like 2D materials.
National Quantum Mission: India’s Policy Framework
The National Quantum Mission provides the national backdrop for the new lab. The Union Cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission on 19 April 2023 with an outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2030-31. The Department of Science and Technology implements the mission. The goal is to seed, nurture and scale scientific and industrial research in quantum technology and make India a leading nation in the field.
The mission covers four verticals through four Thematic Hubs, called T-Hubs, set up in 2024-25 as Section 8 non profit companies hosted by leading institutes. IISc Bengaluru hosts the Quantum Computing hub. IIT Madras with C-DOT New Delhi anchors Quantum Communication. IIT Bombay anchors Quantum Sensing and Metrology. IIT Delhi anchors Quantum Materials and Devices. The hubs work in a hub and spoke model with universities, startups, industry and government labs.
| Thematic Hub | Host Institute | Core Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Quantum Computing | IISc Bengaluru | Intermediate scale quantum computers with 20 to 50 physical qubits in 3 years, 50 to 100 in 5 years, and 50 to 1000 in 8 years using superconducting and photonic platforms |
| Quantum Communication | IIT Madras with C-DOT | Satellite based secure communication over 2000 km within India, intercity quantum key distribution over 2000 km on optical fibre, and multinode networks with quantum memories and repeaters |
| Quantum Sensing and Metrology | IIT Bombay | Highly sensitive magnetometers, atomic clocks for precision timing and navigation, and gravity sensors |
| Quantum Materials and Devices | IIT Delhi | Superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, topological materials, single photon sources and detectors, and entangled photon sources |
The mission also complements the National Supercomputing Mission, the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems and the IndiaAI Mission. Together these programs aim to reduce dependence on critical foreign technologies and build domestic strength in secure communication, advanced computation, defence systems, healthcare diagnostics and next generation telecom.
Why Quantum Computing Is Important for India
Why quantum computing is important can be answered in practical terms. Quantum computers will not replace regular computers for daily tasks. Their strength lies in problems where possibilities explode in number, such as designing new drugs and materials, optimising large networks, improving weather and climate models, and breaking or protecting codes. Quantum artificial intelligence, which combines machine learning with quantum processing, could speed up pattern discovery in huge data sets. Quantum sensing promises far more precise navigation, medical imaging and resource mapping. Quantum cryptography and post quantum encryption promise communication that stays secure even against future quantum attacks.
For India, the stakes span economy and security. Safe quantum communication networks can protect banking, power grids and government data. Better sensors can improve navigation when satellite signals are weak and support exploration and defence needs. Domestic quantum devices and semiconductor integration can cut import dependence and create high skill jobs in research, design, fabrication and software. The Bengaluru lab matters because it builds this base at the device level. Reliable qubits, stable cryogenic control and affordable single photon systems are the bricks on which computing stacks, 1000 km quantum links and sensing products will stand. By opening these facilities to students beyond IISc and linking them to workforce training, the SSIR IISc partnership directly feeds the talent pipeline that the National Quantum Mission needs to meet its 3 year, 5 year and 8 year targets.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Semiconductor India Research and IISc Bengaluru inaugurated the Quantum Research Lab on 15 October 2026 at DESE, IISc.
- The lab was built with Corporate Social Responsibility support from SSIR and is led by Prof Mayank Shrivastava.
- The lab researches qubit characterisation, cryogenic electronics, quantum device reliability and single photon sources and detectors.
- IISc was established in 1909 through Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata with support from the Mysore royal family and the Government of India.
- The National Quantum Mission was approved on 19 April 2023 with an outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore for 2023-24 to 2030-31 and is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology.
- A qubit is the basic unit of quantum information that can hold 0, 1 or a combination of both through superposition, with linked qubits showing entanglement.
