About
Quantum Research Centre (QRC)
The Quantum Research Centre (QRC) was established in 2026 at SRM University-AP in reflection of the university’s mission to lead in quantum nanotechnology and establish a globally recognised research ecosystem in South India.
The QRC at SRM AP serve as a shared national and global platform, facilitating startups, researchers, and industry partners—from across the India and the world, to test and validate quantum computing components, benchmark performance, and assess efficiency and efficacy before moving to large- scale deployment.
At the Quantum Research Centre, faculty members from interdisciplinary departments conduct cutting-edge research in i) Quantum electronics, ii) quantum materials simulations, iii) quantum machine learning and key distribution, iv) quantum many body & gravity simulations, v) quantum materials and device fabrication, and vi) quantum biology.
Quantum Computing Program
The quantum computing program at SRM University-AP is a strategic, multidisciplinary initiative centred on the development of a quantum reference centre leading to a National 50-Qubit Quantum Computing System. This program is a foundational element of the university’s mission to lead in quantum nanotechnology and establish a globally recognised research ecosystem in South India.
The program leverages partnerships with institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and focuses on a “Quantum Startup” culture. This ensures that students move beyond theory to gain hands-on experience in circuit fabrication, directly feeding into leadership roles at global technology firms.
Team at QRC
Prof. Somnath Bhattacharyya
- Dean - Quantum Technology
Prof. Ranjit Thapa
- Dean - Research
Faculty in QRC
Dr. Ashok Kumar Pradhan
- Computer Science and Engineering
Dr. Mahesh Kumar Ravva
- Chemistry
Prof. Rupesh Kumar
- Electronics and Communication Engineering
Dr. Siddhartha Ghosh
- Physics
Dr. Gangi Reddy Salla
- Physics
Dr. Manoj Kumar Yadav
- Electronics and Communication Engineering
Dr. Varsha Santosh Sambhaje
- Computer Science and Engineering
Quantum Reference Facility (QRF)
SRM University-AP is the first academic institute in India to establish a Quantum Reference Facility (QRF) on campus. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, SRM AP established the Quantum Reference Facility under the Amaravati Quantum Valley Project—a visionary mission positioning Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of deep-technology innovation.
As part of the Quantum Valley Project, a two state-of-the-art Amaravati Quantum Reference Facilities (AQRF) was built – one at SRM University-AP and at Medha Towers, Amaravati – establishing critical infrastructure for research, testing, validation, and real-world deployment in quantum technologies.
The Amaravati Quantum Reference Facilities (AQRF) are India’s first indigenous, open-access quantum computing platforms. Comprising two systems—Amaravati 1S and Amaravati 1Q they are designed, assembled, and tested in India with a predominantly domestic supply chain spanning seven institutions across six cities.
Unlike commercial quantum cloud services, AQRF functions as a fully instrumented hardware testbed, enabling validation, benchmarking, and certification of quantum components under real operating conditions.
Functions of QRF
This facility is designed to serve as a shared national platform for validating quantum algorithms and hardware, positioning the university as a central hub for the state’s burgeoning quantum ecosystem.
- Diamond-Based Hardware: The core technical focus is on room-temperature quantum computing using Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in synthetic diamonds. By controlling the spin and orientation of charges within the diamond, we can achieve high decoherence times.
- This approach is supplemented by research into superconducting carbon-based devices and the use of Tantalum interconnects for high-fidelity quantum processors. This led to the development of hybrid qubit systems combining superconducting qubits and diamond NV centers.
- Integrated diamond qubits with Cryo-CMOS control chips, allowing to scale from individual laboratory experiments to a 50-qubit processor. This system will not only be a computer; it will be a shared national platform for validating quantum algorithms and exploring the interaction between the 'Quantum Mind' and physical matter.
Objectives of the QRF
The QRF aims to cultivate an advanced quantum ecosystem characterised by a strong Academic-Industrial Synergy facilitating various applications and commercialization.
The QRF will gear toward high-impact applications, including:
- Quantum Metrology: For precision sensing in environments like deep-sea exploration.
- Secure Communications: Implementing Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for national security.
- Materials Simulation: Utilizing the 50-qubit system for pharmaceutical drug discovery and advanced materials science.
- Advanced Security and Sensing: SRM AP has made strides in Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) to secure national communications. It also focuses on Quantum Sensing for high-precision applications in healthcare and environmental monitoring.
What QRF Enables?
- Validation & Benchmarking: Standardised testing of processors, amplifiers, cryogenics, and control systems under real operating conditions, enabling objective performance evaluation.
- Certification & Industry Trust: Establishes the foundation for a national certification framework for quantum components, building confidence for industry adoption and procurement.
- Workforce Development: Provides hands-on training for engineers, researchers, and students on full-stack quantum hardware—a capability that no textbook or simulation can replicate.
- Scalable Manufacturing Readiness: Drawing from global best practice (e.g., TU Delft), India will eventually require approximately 100 such reference facilities. AQRF establishes the first node of what can become a distributed national quantum hardware network.
