With years of experience working at the cutting edge of US science policy and industry consortia, Dr. Celia Merzbacher is an expert in navigating the intersection of government, research and technology. Now, as the Executive Director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C®), she’s growing a network of roughly 250 organisations unified by a common goal: laying the groundwork for a quantum economy. In the first part of this two-part interview, Merzbacher explores how governments and companies can build the infrastructure, supply chains and talent needed to support a global quantum economy.

This interview was conducted on 8 April 2025 by Jesse Samasuwo (Senior Policy Manager, Apolitical) and edited by Rui Yi Ang (BSc in Politics and Philosophy, LSE and Communications Intern, Apolitical).

Directing vectors and values

Samasuwo: When did you first recognise the transformative potential of quantum computing, and what led you to support its development?

**Merzbacher: **Because of my experience shepherding the US National Nanotechnology Initiative, I was already aware that investments in quantum were growing — even before the bill formalising the quantum program in the US was passed.

I remember asking someone in high-performance computing back in 2016, “What do you think about quantum computing?” At the time, they saw it as an interesting new capability. They suggested that, in addition to CPUs and GPUs, quantum processors (QPUs) could play an emerging role.

I found that idea fascinating: a hybrid system combining classic computing with quantum processors. So I kept following that space out of scientific curiosity.

Eventually, I came across a press release announcing the launch of a new consortium that aimed to unite various communities. Given my background in a semiconductor industry consortium, this caught my attention. I knew some of the people involved in creating the consortium and reached out to them. They recruited me to join, and it felt like a perfect fit for my background in both government and industry.

As a side note, if you Google “Merzbacher” and “quantum,” you’ll find my father's textbook. He was a professor of quantum mechanics and first published his textbook in 1960, so you could say I grew up with this field in my blood!

Reinforcing global supply chains, qubit-by-qubit

Samasuwo: We often hear that quantum computing relies on a complex global supply chain. Could you give us a high-level overview of what that looks like?

**Merzbacher: **Quantum systems, including both the devices themselves and the systems they integrate with, revolve around the interaction of light and matter in a controlled environment. These systems require precise light sources, such as lasers, and operate under extreme, carefully controlled conditions: at very low temperatures and in vacuum environments to maintain the integrity of the atoms and ions involved.

Getting laser light into these systems also requires specialised windows and specific quantum control electronics to 'tickle' the atoms and ions, which may also need to function at low temperatures. So the supply chain includes both commercial off-the-shelf technologies and components that are unique to quantum systems.

It’s a very diverse supply chain in some regards. While some aspects are similar to those you’d find in other complex systems, like MRI machines or telecom systems, the quantum market is still relatively small. That means fewer suppliers and more limitations when acquiring components. Custom parts can take weeks or even months to deliver. Ultimately, the early stage of the industry and the fragile ecosystem create significant supply chain challenges.

**Samasuwo: In the six years since the QED-C was formed, have the risks, bottlenecks and management issues of the supply chain improved? **

**Merzbacher: **There’s definitely been growing awareness and interest among suppliers. But the small market size still limits how much they’re willing to invest — especially when it comes to component suppliers.

Different quantum technologies have different needs, and since quantum computing isn’t limited to just one mode, there are many supply chains involved. Over time, components will need to become less customised and more modular, plug-and-play. As quantum computers become more standardised, the supply chain will too.

One helpful step in this direction has been the *Quantum Technology Manufacturing Roadmap *(QTMR), produced by SRI with input from QED-C member companies in 2022. It provides an overview of the requirements for different platforms, which helps to clarify the variety of components needed for these quantum systems.

**Samasuwo: What are the biggest risks or challenges facing global supply chains today, given the geopolitical climate? **

**Merzbacher: **There are several critical choke points, particularly concerning technology, because many leading suppliers aren’t based in the US. That raises national security concerns, which must be understood, acknowledged and potentially addressed through proactive measures.

Another major question relates to workforce readiness. We need to build up a qualified workforce, but what does that look like? Again, because there are so many different types of quantum systems, we also need a wide range of specialists: software engineers, optics and laser experts, cryogenics professionals and others across different fields.

At SRI, we recently published a “State of the Quantum Industry” report that provides current information on the market size, workforce details and global distribution of the industry today. But the truth is, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about how current shifts in globalisation and supply chains will affect emerging technology markets.

Unlocking the Pauli gates to quantum for the public

**Samasuwo: When speaking to policymakers, what advice do you have? Should they view these international developments as risks or opportunities? **

**Merzbacher: **It’s important to note that government officials and companies often see borders differently. Companies are generally willing to do business across borders wherever they legally can, as they are motivated to grow and expand. I recently returned from an extended trip to Australia, where significant investment and action are creating real business opportunities in quantum. Other countries are sharing that ambition to build their own ecosystems.

Policymakers, on the other hand, tend to focus more on national interests — especially economic and security concerns. While some security-motivated alliances have managed to foster collaboration, economic considerations often turn countries into competitors and the resulting fragmentation can be counterproductive to achieving common national security goals.

I encourage policymakers to avoid being overly parochial or nationalistic in pursuit of economic goals. That approach can lead to outcomes that are ultimately not in the country’s best interests. Instead, policymakers should identify areas where their country can lead or partner with others. Even the US cannot dominate this space alone — collaboration is essential.

This interview is part of a series of expert perspectives on key quantum computing issues for policymakers. Learn about quantum computing in more depth, register for a place on upcoming cohorts of our course: Quantum Computing: Understanding the Technology and its Implications, developed in collaboration with Google Quantum AI.

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