The Technical Working Areas (TWAs) are the core collaborative themes of NMI-Q.

Each TWA brings together experts from across the founding National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and approved partners to address key challenges in quantum measurement science. 

How TWAs work 

TWAs are approved by the NMI-Q Steering Committee to ensure alignment with the initiative’s strategic goals. 

Under each TWA, specific technical projects are established to deliver focused outcomes ranging from pre-standardisation research to the development of best practices and technical guidance. 

Find out more

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the NMI-Q team via the Contact Us page. 

Technical working area: Materials for Quantum Technologies (MQT)

Quantum technologies depend on materials whose structure, defects, composition, and interfaces can be measured and controlled with confidence. The MQT Technical Working Area brings together experts from NMI-Q partners to advance a common metrology framework for materials used in quantum computing, sensing, communication, and related technologies.

MQT supports the development of comparable, reliable, and scalable materials measurements for quantum devices, with a practical route from research-grade methods to pre-standardisation documents, technical guidance, and future standards.

MQT Objectives

• Identify priority material platforms and associated measurement challenges
• Coordinate research linking material properties to device performance and reliability
• Develop best measurement practices, reference samples, and analysis methods
• Coordinate cross-laboratory studies of measurement reproducibility
• Inform international standardisation activities

Impact
The long-term goal of MQT is to enable comparable, traceable, and reproducible material measurements for quantum technologies across laboratories and countries. By linking material properties, fabrication routes, and device performance, MQT will support technology advancement, strengthen international collaboration, inform future standards development, and increase confidence in material measurements for industry and research communities.

MQT Technical Areas

The scope of MQT is intended to be broad and collaborative. It covers material platforms and associated measurement challenges where improved metrology and shared reference approaches can have an immediate impact. Specific technical work will be refined in consultation with NMI-Q partners.

Relevant examples include:

• superconducting materials
• diamond and related defect-based solid-state platforms
• semiconductors
• photonic materials, including nonlinear material systems

Active Projects: in Development

MQT Members

Co-Chairs: Prof. Olga Kazakova (NPL, UK) and Dr. Albert Davydov (NIST, USA)

Members: list to be updated soon