National Photonics Initiative Praises Bipartisan Approval of NQI Act in House of Representatives

(Washington, D.C.) -The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) —a broad-based collaborative alliance among industry, academia, and government to raise awareness of optics, photonics and quantum science and technology—applauded bipartisan passage of the National Quantum Initiative Act in the House of Representatives today. The NQI Act, H.R. 6227, was unanimously approved by voice vote.

“House approval of the National Quantum Initiative Act is an exciting and important step toward a comprehensive quantum policy that will help bring the potential of quantum technology from the laboratory to the marketplace,” said Ed White, Chair of the NPI Steering Committee and Vice President for Test, Assembly, and Packaging for AIM Photonics. “We commend Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson for guiding the NQI Act to passage. We appreciate the bipartisan support for this important measure and look forward to working with Senators to advance this critical legislation.”

The NPI has been working with the House Science Committee since before the introduction of the NQI Act to ensure it will maximize the nation’s quantum research and development capabilities. Specifically, the NPI advocated for a new quantum computing access program (QCAP) to make quantum computing and communications systems and simulations available to U.S. researchers and users across academia, laboratories, and industry.

The NQI Act closely follows the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Action Plan that was prepared under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Monroe, professor of physics at the University of Maryland, and Dr. Michael Raymer, professor of physics at the University of Oregon, both founding stakeholders, and shared with lawmakers by the NPI earlier this year. The stated goals of the Action Plan include producing a world-leading industrial quantum technology workforce, advancing quantum research and technology, and developing quantum software and intellectual property.

White said the NQI Act will help achieve those goals and maintain U.S. leadership in this important field. “A comprehensive quantum policy is critical to both our economic and national security,” said White. “NPI will continue to work with lawmakers and the Administration to see this important initiative come to fruition.” 
 

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About the NPI: The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) is a collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of photonics and the impact of photonics on our everyday lives; increase cooperation and coordination among US industry, government and academia to advance photonics-driven fields; and drive US funding and investment in areas of photonics critical to maintaining US economic competitiveness and national security. The initiative is being led by top scientific societies including the American Physical Society (APS), the IEEE Photonics Society, the Laser Institute of America (LIA), The Optical Society (OSA) and SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics. For more information visit www.lightourfuture.org.