The Quantum Collective - Simon Benjamin
The Quantum Collective - the people behind the science
Professor Simon Benjamin's journey in quantum computing is as intriguing as the field itself. From his early days in rural Devon to his current roles as a leading researcher at the University of Oxford, and the co-founder of a quantum technology startup, Simon's path illuminates the exciting and rapidly evolving world of quantum computing.
Simon's story begins not in a lab, but in the rolling hills of Devon. "My dad had been a businessman in London for Reuters," he recalls, "but his life goal had really been to get enough money to try and be a farmer. Even though he had no farming heritage and didn’t know any farmers, he just had it in his head that what he really wanted to be was a farmer… so he went down to Devon and started a farm." Reflecting on his childhood, Simon appreciates how growing up in rural Devon taught him to enjoy solitude. With the nearest neighbour half a mile away, he spent much of his time alone in the countryside, a setting that fostered his love for introspection and problem-solving. “I got to really like that. I would just like really thinking about problems,” he says.
This penchant for problem-solving meant Simon found himself drawn to physics and mathematics early on. While his friends often struggled with these subjects, he found them easier and more intuitive, leading him to believe that a future in science might be right for him. “I realised that if I was watching a movie, it would usually be the scientist character that I was identifying with,” Simon recalls, noting that he was more captivated by intellectual heroes like Dr. Zarkov in Flash Gordon than by the typical action stars. This growing affinity for science guided him through his A-levels, ultimately earning him a place at Oxford.
After his undergraduate studies at Oxford, he continued there for his doctorate. It was during this time that he stumbled upon the emerging field of quantum computing. "I realised that this stuff that these guys were doing one floor up and across a bit was incredible sounding," Simon remembers. He adds, "I was an enthusiastic programmer since I was a little kid - and when you put that together with physics, it's super interesting." This fascination led Simon to pivot his postdoctoral research into quantum computing, a decision that would shape the rest of his career.
Bridging academia and industry
Today, Simon wears two hats - one as a professor at Oxford and another as the Chief Scientific Officer at Quantum Motion, a company he co-founded. This dual role gives him a unique perspective on the field. "I have to divide my time between my academic work and my commercial work," Simon explains. "What I'm working on, you know, it depends which hat I'm wearing. But also there is some stuff at the interface that's very interesting."
One such intersection is his work on understanding the behaviour of small, transistor-like structures at very low temperatures. "We're trying to understand the physics of very small structures,” he explains. “ When they are cooled down to a very low temperature and you use them to trap not a puddle of electric charge, but just a single electron, they become qubits.” This research, bridging theoretical understanding and practical application, exemplifies the kind of work that's pushing the boundaries of quantum computing.
The QCS Hub: A catalyst for innovation
Simon is enthusiastic about the impact of the Quantum Computing and Simulation Hub, which has been instrumental in bringing together various research teams. “I chat to a lot of people that I wouldn’t have done otherwise,” he notes, highlighting how this collaboration has deepened his understanding of the field.
The Hub's impact goes beyond networking. It provides crucial resources that enable cutting-edge research. “It gives us a lot of computing equipment and puts us on an internationally competitive level” Simon says, using a paper published in Science Advances, titled Grid-based methods for chemistry simulations on a quantum computer* as an example. "That wouldn't have been possible without the Hub, because it used the kind of equipment that's way beyond the scale that a small group like mine could afford to have for ourselves," he explains. “But with a collective resource then then we can just go a lot further .
The road ahead
Now the destination, the era of fully operational machines, is coming into sight… but then there will be a new journey beginning, as we as a community figure out all their uses.
Despite the rapid progress, Simon is candid about the challenges in the field. He likens the early days of quantum computing research to a long drive where the destination kept moving further away. "We were going as fast as we'd hoped and seeing a lot of amazing sites and experiences, but it turns out the journey was much longer than we initially thought," he muses. Yet he remains enthusiastic, "Now the destination, the era of fully operational machines, is coming into sight… but then there will be a new journey beginning, as we as a community figure out all their uses."
Beyond the lab
When not pushing the boundaries of quantum physics, Simon finds joy in unexpected places. During the Covid pandemic he took up FPV (First Person View) drone flying, a hobby that combines his love for technology with a sense of freedom. Viewing the live output of a drone’s cameras through VR goggles as you fly it provides a unique view of the world. "It's really nice to just to go out to a park or just a big field… and give your brain the illusion that you're free to do whatever you want."
He has also channelled his creativity into designing a board game, a project that unexpectedly merged with his academic role when he challenged undergraduates to redesign and build it using actual materials.
The quantum future
Looking ahead, Simon is both excited and cautious about the potential of quantum computing. "I think quantum computers can give us an incredible new tool for finding our way in the discovery process," he posits. "Maybe we can see some extraordinary new kinds of materials or chemistry, or new ways of manufacturing stuff."
At the same time, he's mindful of the broader implications of advancing technology, including the potential impact of AI on scientific research. "I no longer feel that science is immune to being taken over by AI or people having their jobs profoundly changed," he reflects.
As quantum computing continues to evolve, researchers like Simon Benjamin stand at the forefront, navigating the complex interplay of theory and application, academia and industry. Their journey, much like the quantum world they study, is full of uncertainty and possibility - a testament to the enduring allure of scientific discovery.
* Grid-based methods for chemistry simulations on a quantum computer, Hans Hon Sang Chan et al.,Sci. Adv.9,eabo7484(2023). DOI:10.1126/sciadv.abo7484
